My Brother's Keeper by Alanea Alder Read Free Book Online

made her laugh with made-up fortunes from their fortune cookies. She didn't think twice about sleeping next to him on the sofa in her stained sweatpants. He was her best friend; he was safe.
    She took a deep breath and told the biggest lie of her life. "No, sorry, I've never seen you before."
    He blinked and his eyes narrowed. "Really?"
    Double damn, he knew!
    She turned her back to him and took Keelan's hand. "I would remember somebody like you."
    "You would think," he replied flatly.
    "Kendrick, can you tell us what type of magic you'll be using here?" Rheia asked. "I'd like to disconnect him from as many machines as possible. The more the body does for itself, the better."
    Anne was thankful for the interruption. She had to concentrate on Keelan now. After all, they told her that Keelan had said she was his mate.
    She turned around and looked Kendrick in the eye. "What can be done for my mate?"
    He flinched, and the muscle along his jaw tensed.
    " Heika , ladies, I have brought refreshments," Ryuu announced as he carried in a large tray.
    "Impeccable timing, as usual, Ryuu," Kendrick muttered.
    "Of course, Heika ." Ryuu set the tray down on the round table in the middle of the room. "I took the time to make another of your favorites, but if you prefer, I can take them back downstairs..." 
    Kendrick peeked over at the tray, his eyes betraying him. "Is that taiyaki ?"
    Ryuu nodded. "I have red bean paste and cheese filled."
    " Anko ?" Anne and Kendrick asked at the same time.
    Ryuu smiled. "It's so refreshing having the two of you here. Yes, anko ."
    Anne stepped forward. "I'd like one of those, please, and more of that green tea if you have any."
    "I'd like two of the anko and one cheese filled, Ryuu," Kendrick said.
    Ryuu turned to Rheia. "None for me thanks, my tummy is a bit on the wobbly side lately. Just some tea would be great."
    Kendrick turned to her. "How do you know what anko is?"
    "How do you?" she asked him in response.
    "I have traveled all over the world, including a nice long stay in Japan. You?"
    Anne looked down at the floor. There was no way in hell she was going to admit to being the biggest otaku in the state, especially not to him or Ryuu. "I must have seen it on the travel channel or something," she mumbled.
    "She speaks with a perfect accent. She must have seen many programs with native speakers for her to speak so well," Ryuu volunteered.
    Kendrick smiled at the squire. "Thank you for making another one of my favorites. I won't scandalize you again by offering sexual favors."
    Anne felt her eyes nearly pop out of her head. Kendrick was flirting with him? Ryuu not only knew his favorite foods, but made them for him as well? Could they be mates? Maybe the dreams she saw was showed an older version of Keelan after all.
    Rheia sipped her tea. "While you two snack, can you tell us what spells you'll cast?"
    Kendrick had just taken a huge bite of one fish-shaped treat. He went to answer and nearly choked. Laughing, Anne handed him his tea. When their fingers touched, she felt a jolt of electricity run down her arm. He gulped down his tea, his eyes never leaving hers. Finally, she looked away and picked up her own snack. 
    Unfaithful hormones!
    Kendrick cleared his throat. "I'll be casting a stasis spell, which will prevent muscle atrophy. I have material that can be used as a diaper that is self-cleaning and a set of garments that will not only become whatever type of clothing you require, but will also keep him clean."
    Anne turned to Rheia. "That would eliminate the need for a catheter or rectal Foley, which can cause necrosis." She turned to Kendrick. "Your stasis spell, would that also prevent bed sores?"
    Kendrick nodded. "Yes, it will preserve the body exactly how it is now. Considering the fact that there is no current physical damage, it will keep him in ultimate health."
    Anne ran through the mental checklist for coma patients. If she didn't have to worry about bathing, turning or changing