OnsetofDanger by Aubrey Ross Read Free Book Online Page A

Brethren? Never. There had to be a way to escape their control permanently.
    Hadn’t she wanted a way to jolt Desmond’s Strigo symbionts
out of hibernation? Nothing would elicit a more violent response than harming
his mate. He was obsessively protective.
    What other choice did she have?
    The only thing she was sure of was that anything was better
than becoming a mind-slave to the Levari Brethren.
    “Come.” Farren held out his hand.
    She ignored the gesture but followed him toward the cabin.
Her guard fell in behind. Leaves crunched beneath her boots and her long, full
skirt billowed in the wind. She felt a ripple of energy as Farren directed the
guards but she couldn’t hear the exchange. Farren paused in front of the door
and disabled the energy barrier.
    Farren pushed the door inward and Desmond turned sharply
toward them, anxiety etched into his pale features. “This has nothing to do
with Caresse.”
    His tone was so filled with dread and frustration it took
all her strength not to run to him and wrap her arms around him. They had faced
so many challenges together, vanquished enemy after enemy side by side. They
could do this too. But she had to be brave and selfless.
    The guards flanked the door, silently waiting for further
instructions. Farren stepped past her, shoulders squared, expression calm yet
stern. “You insisted on the opportunity to interrogate our Vladya captive. We
had more direct methods in mind for retrieving the information we need.”
    “I don’t know how she escaped.” To his credit, Desmond held
his ground. “I told you everything I know. Her disappearance is not a
reflection on me. I did everything I said I would—”
    “You failed.” Farren didn’t raise his voice. He didn’t need
to. The simple statement returned the tormented look to Desmond’s eyes. “The
debate is over. Success is well rewarded within the Brethren, but harsh
consequences follow failure.”
    Clasping his hands behind his back, Desmond raised his chin
and stared straight ahead. “I am prepared to answer for my failure.”
    “Of course you are. Your military training and basic
breeding have enabled you to process pain as easily as breath.” Farren motioned
Caresse toward him. “We have something else in mind.”
    “Leave her out of it!” One of the guards rushed across the
room and shoved Desmond against the wall. Desmond twisted and lunged, avoiding
the other man’s restraining hands as he yelled, “Don’t touch her! She has
nothing to do with any of this.”
    “We disagree.” Farren’s voice remained even, yet the
calmness of it was almost mocking.
    The guard drew his sidearm and shoved the muzzle under
Desmond’s chin. “We will shoot.” Amber light ignited in the soldier’s
eyes, announcing the Levari Brethren’s direct control of the man. “And what do
you think will happen to your lovely mate once you’re out of the picture?”
    Desmond clenched and unclenched his fists, trembling, eyes
wild. “Don’t hurt her.”
    “You were warned of the form our punishment would take,”
Farren reminded him. “Didn’t you believe we’d do it?”
    With a feral growl, Desmond shoved and twisted, lost in
blind determination. The guard with the gun moved to Desmond’s side as the
other hurried to assist him. The second guard grabbed Desmond by the throat,
gradually tightening his fingers until Desmond slumped against the wall. Only
then did the guard ease the pressure and allow Desmond to draw breath again.
    “Don’t let him pass out,” Farren advised. “We want him to
see everything that’s about to happen to his lovely mate.”
    “I’ll find the Vladya bitch,” Desmond rasped. “Give me the
chance to make this right. There’s no reason to harm Caresse.”
    Ignoring Desmond’s pleas, Farren turned to Caresse.
“Undress. Show us what he values above all things.”
    She fought to keep her expression blank as she raised her
hands to the buttons on the front of her blouse. She wasn’t