Lover's Betrayal: Misfits of the Lore Series by J.E. Hopkins Read Free Book Online Page A

long time and I have seen many innocent men seem guilty only to be proven innocent later. I have to be sure. We need to be sure. This is your brother, and I know he doesn’t always act like much of a brother to you, but he’s your family. If he’s guilty, the punishment for this would be death. We cannot take the risk of being wrong. We have to know he’s guilty. Could you live with yourself if you condemned him to death by the Council only to find out later he was innocent? Despite all that he has done to you, could you live with that kind of guilt? I know I can’t, especially as his mother. You’re his brother and at one time, you were close. Are those days so forgotten that you could just walk away and let him die?”
    Although Julian believed in Kaden’s guilt, he could not ignore his mother’s words. He knew he could not live with himself if his brother died for a crime he did not commit. Julian needed to be sure, and if it took more evidence to erase all reasonable doubt, then he would find it.
    “What do you suggest that we do? We just can’t stand by and let the killings continue when we may know who’s guilty. I don’t want to live with that guilt, either.”
    “You’re right. I will talk to your brother and see if I can get a better sense of his guilt. We may have to follow him around for a while. He would never agree to house arrest so we may have to attach ourselves to him the best we can. I also think we need to investigate this more closely. Kaden should want to help with the investigation to clear his name. I think I can convince him to work with us.”
    “I get to put my CSI skills to use,” Corinne squealed with delight as she walked into the study. She was a sweaty mess dressed in her workout gear, yet she looked as beautiful as ever. Nothing could ruin Corinne’s sex appeal.
    “Cori, don’t get too carried away. You do understand that TV is not quite the same as real life?” Olivia reminded her. “I doubt the TV techniques, no matter how good the show, would really be effective in real life.”
    “You mock me now, but one day you’re going to marvel at my super skills. I’m going to figure all of this out. First, I need to know what exactly you’re investigating. I only heard the very end of your conversation.”
    “Let’s sit down and Julian and I can explain what we know.” The three of them sat down while Julian provided them with a folder of his research. Through a contact at the police department, he was able to secure pictures of the seven victims.
    The women appeared to be human, except for the latest victim. This diminutive creature had pointy ears, slanted eyes, and vibrant red hair. Her ethereal features were consistent with a fairy. Fairies were rare and the death of one would not go unnoticed by the Council. Corinne explained, “Fairies are like the Switzerland of the immortals.” They were nonviolent by nature. They remained neutral during immortal conflicts.
    Fairies were the financiers of the Council. They served the Council with absolute loyalty. That loyalty earned them protection. To kill one was an automatic death sentence. “I wouldn’t be surprised if her death was already reported to the Council,” Corinne informed Olivia and Julian. “The brutal death of a fairy will result in the wrath of the Council. They will want blood and vengeance, and I doubt they will be patient with a long investigation. If enough evidence points to Kaden, they will stop there.”
    Like all of the women, the fairy’s skin was marred by claw marks that were burrowed deeply in her neck. Just below her neck near her chest were two deep incisor bites—the mark of vampire fangs. Bite marks were also found on their femoral arteries; however, those bite marks were not as deep, nor did they resemble the vicious marks on the victims’ chests. All women were drained of their blood.
    Olivia was horrified by the photos. These women suffered. Their pain resonated from the pictures of