Master Unchained (Stealth Guardians Book 2) by Tina Folsom Read Free Book Online Page B

assembled.
    He stood near the steps that led up to the stage, where thanks to his height, he had a good view of the crowd. He zoomed in on those in the audience who held cameras in their hands. A few flashes lit up the room. Other people were taking videos with their smart phones. His eyes searched for guns or any other weapons, but he didn’t detect anything suspicious.
    Nevertheless he remained vigilant, though he doubted the demons were stupid enough to try anything in such a public venue where bystanders were ready to record everything with their cameras. After all, the demons had to worry about exposure too—and unlike Stealth Guardians, they couldn’t make themselves invisible. So if a demon was indeed here among the spectators, Hamish would eventually spot him.
    People who were planning trouble always gave it away—either by acting suspiciously or by trying too hard to fit in. Either way, they stuck out. So he watched for those who didn’t clap when everybody else did, didn’t laugh when a speaker cracked a joke. But most of all he watched for those who kept their eyes shielded, either by wearing glasses or by keeping their gaze on the floor, because there was one physical characteristic every demon had: green eyes.
    Their eyes and their green blood was the only outward proof of their demonic nature. The aura that surrounded other preternatural creatures—vampires, witches and the like—and made it possible for Stealth Guardians to identify them, was absent in demons. The Stealth Guardians assumed that this was the case because most, if not all, demons had once been human—before they’d committed acts so atrocious that the underworld had claimed their soul. He’d never heard of anyone who’d been redeemed after surrendering to the demons and joining their ranks—ranks that seemed to grow exponentially the more violence and fear ruled the world.
    “… without whose help we could have never gotten this far.” Tessa’s voice penetrated his mind and he glanced at her up on the stage, speaking freely without any notes. “And all of you, who donated so generously to this worthy cause: thank you for your support.”
    Applause followed Tessa’s heartfelt words and grew louder with every second. The noise seemed to turn more grating in his ears, almost metallic. Something didn’t feel right.
    A prickling sensation traveled up his spine, and he scanned the crowd, then stared back at Tessa who still stood at the lectern, drinking in the adoration of the crowd. Tears seemed to shimmer in her eyes, and she wiped them with her hand. Light was dancing on her face, reflecting off the disco ball that was still turning at the other end of the room. The silver bracelet around her wrist caught some of it, too.
    Involuntarily, Hamish looked up at the ceiling.
    “Shit!” he cursed and charged up the steps to the podium.
    He heard it starting—a ripping sound, metal snapping—and he didn’t stop even for a split second. He vaulted toward Tessa, his feet barely touching the ground, his arms stretched out, reaching. He pushed her away from the lectern, hurtling on top of her as she tumbled to the floor. Behind Hamish, metal crashed onto the wooden podium, but Tessa was covered by his body, shielded from falling debris.
    Cries of shock and horror echoed in the room as the applause died instantly.
    “Tessa, you alright?” he managed to ask.
    Beneath him, Tessa trembled. He could feel her heart thundering, or was it his?
    “Yes.”
    “I’ve got you, lass, I’ve got you,” he murmured in relief.
    Slowly he lifted his body off her and looked over his shoulder to where Tessa had stood only seconds earlier. The lectern had been obliterated by a heavy metal duct—probably part of the air conditioning system. Had Tessa been hit, she would have been severely injured, if not killed.
    Shit, shit, shit!
    His heart raced uncontrollably.
    He’d been watching the people, but neglected to check whether the stage or its