OnsetofDanger by Aubrey Ross Read Free Book Online

A husky female laugh drew his attention to
the game room as he reached the open archway. His steps faltered and he peered
into the large, open room. One of the human feeders sat on the edge of the pool
table, skirt bunched around her hips, long legs loosely wrapped around
Jackson’s waist. They were more or less dressed and the exchange appeared
playful, but things seldom remained playful when Jackson was involved. Females
found him irresistible, a trait that could be quite useful.
    “Jackson,” Garrett called. “A word.”
    Jackson’s dark head whipped around but he remained between
the feeder’s legs. “I’m a little busy right now.”
    Garrett caught the human’s gaze and motioned her toward the
sofa. “Get undressed and lie down. We’ll be with you in a moment.”
    “We?” Jackson’s brow arched as he ambled across the room.
“Maybe I’m not in the mood to share.”
    “Your moods hold far less importance than they did a few
weeks ago. When’s the last time you shared Tara’s bed?” He lowered his voice so
the feeder couldn’t hear the exchange.
    “Why? Would you prefer to have me in yours?”
    Jackson was arrogant and used to his physical attributes
providing him with whatever he wanted. Garrett had no interest in the man
personally, but he understood the value of Jackson’s appeal. “I’m setting up a
headquarters closer to the new project site. If Tara is finished with you, as I
suspect, I thought you might be interested in a change of scenery and fresh
hunting grounds.”
    A slow smile bowed Jackson’s lips and made his dark eyes
gleam. “I’m more than interested.” He suddenly appeared more serious than
Garrett had ever seen him. “It’s only a matter of time before Tara finds a new
favorite. I’d rather not wait around.”
    “Then let’s enjoy one last taste of Canada.” He nodded
toward the naked feeder now sprawled on the sofa, watching them. “Once our
needs are met, my friend, we’re heading to Colorado.”

Chapter Three
     
    Trembling with fury and fear, Caresse watched Farren Doyle
cross the grassy clearing in front of the Levari safe house. The guards had
dragged her to the rough-hewn bench situated beneath a massive oak. One guard
watched her, weapon drawn, while the other returned to his position beside the
door. She had no idea why the Levari Brethren had chosen Farren as their
primary spokesman, but she was rapidly learning to hate him above all the
others.
    Farren and Desmond had been alone in the cabin for at least
an hour and the silence had been more torturous than shouts and crashes would
have been. At least if they’d been screaming at each other she’d have had some
idea of what was transpiring inside.
    She poured energy into her mental shields as Farren neared.
He spent so much time with the Brethren in complete control. Did anything of
the host remain?
    Even on Strigoia Prime Levari strain had been separatists,
secretive and antisocial. But she’d never heard of symbionts that could control
their hosts. Perhaps there was something in human blood that incited these
bizarre behaviors. Earthbound Levari not only controlled their hosts, they
networked their minds into a communal consciousness. Worse, they could
instantaneously transfer energy from one host to another, making those they
used for confrontations incredibly strong and hard to kill. It was fascinating
and yet rather repulsive. Symbionts were meant to live in harmony with their
hosts, not take them over completely.
    “Your mate has failed to see reason,” he stated in his
characteristic monotone. “It is now necessary to motivate him.”
    Dread wrapped around her like a pissed-off constrictor,
making it hard to breathe. Farren had used her as motivation before. He’d
humiliated and threatened her as Desmond was forced to watch, but he’d stopped
before actually harming her. It was unlikely he’d show restraint a second time.
    She should turn to mist and—leave Desmond at the mercy of
the