Levet by Alexandra Ivy Read Free Book Online Page B

stepped back to tug her shirt into place, his entire body screaming in frustration at the realization he wasn’t going to get relief any time soon.
    â€œElijah?”
    He grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the door. “Let’s go find that annoying gargoyle.”

CHAPTER 6
    Levet quivered as he continued to project his memories into his mother’s unwilling mind, dangerously close to exhaustion.
    Sacrebleu . How much longer could he hold the spell?
    The fear had barely had time to form when Berthe gave a low groan, her eyes wrenching open to stab him with a malevolent glare.
    â€œEnough.”
    Levet halted the memories, but retained control of the magical web that held his mother captive.
    She wasn’t looking nearly as impressed as he’d hoped.
    â€œYou have seen what I did?” he demanded.
    â€œ Oui .”
    â€œAnd you acknowledge that I faced my enemy with courage?”
    She pulled back her lips to emphasize her massive tusks. “I will admit you did not flee like a coward.”
    Levet narrowed his eyes. “Perhaps we should begin again.”
    â€œ Non ,” Berthe rasped, the heat of her fury filling the air. “You behaved with . . . courage.”
    Levet scowled. He had stood before the most evil creature ever to have been created and refused to yield.
    How many demons could claim such a feat?
    None. That was how many.
    He grimaced. Non . That wasn’t entirely true. There had been others. But no gargoyles, he hastily reassured himself.
    He alone had represented his species.
    Which made him excessively special.
    â€œWhy is it so hard for you to admit?” he snapped.
    Berthe glowered at him, her heavy brow furrowed. “I don’t want you back in the Guild.”
    Levet blinked. Well, that was . . . blunt.
    â€œWhy? Do you imagine I will somehow contaminate your precious nest?” He curled his snout in disdain. “I can assure you I have no intention of returning to the bosom of my dysfunctional family.”
    She made a sound of shock, as if she couldn’t imagine a creature not longing to be a part of her nest.
    â€œThen why do you insist on being returned to the Guild?”
    Levet smiled. When he’d traveled to Paris he hadn’t truly known what was driving him.
    Now he understood with perfect clarity.
    â€œIt’s my right,” he said with simple honesty. “Now tell me why you’re so reluctant to put my name on the Wall.”
    Berthe clenched her jaw, clearly loath to confess the truth. Then, perhaps sensing that Levet was stubborn enough to keep her trapped until she shared, she gave a low curse.
    â€œBecause you make me . . . less.”
    â€œLess what?”
    She turned her head, as if unwilling to meet Levet’s puzzled gaze.
    â€œWhile you are shunned you are forgotten by my people. But with your name returned to the Wall it will be remembered that you are my son. I will be ridiculed for producing a—”
    â€œA what?” he prompted, his curiosity overcoming his self-preservation.
    A common occurrence.
    â€œA freak,” she said with a shudder.
    He flinched, feeling like he’d been slapped.
    But why?
    His mother had devoted his entire childhood to pointing out his numerous flaws. Until he’d nearly allowed her to convince him that he was deformed.
    No more.
    â€œI do not make you less, Maman dearest. You were born without a soul,” he informed her, his voice clear and perfectly steady. “And I thank the gods that I am different from you. My life has mattered. Truly mattered. You will never be able to say the same.”
    Berthe blinked, almost as if his words had struck a nerve. But even as he leaned forward to savor the brief victory, she had twisted her ugly features into a scowl.
    â€œRelease me,” she commanded.
    â€œYou will give me what I demand?”
    A low growl vibrated the air. “ Oui ,” she at last managed to spit out.
    â€œCross your