Perilous Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy Read Free Book Online

registered anything that was happening. Everything seemed unfamiliar as we pushed through the heavy ferns and waited while Lawson moved some large rocks out of the way. I had expected the Resistance to grow, but I was in no way prepared for the crowd that appeared as we neared the cave entrance.
    “ Wow. Theodore did some recruiting.” Kevin’s expression mirrored my surprise.
    “ It’s a relief. I didn’t know what to expect.” Monty wiped his brow.
    “ Hello, brother.” Theodore walked over and embraced Monty. Monty stiffened. I could practically feel the tension between the two brothers.
    Monty pulled away and addressed his brother coolly. “Theodore, we heard you needed us urgently.”
    “ Yes, we have received word that Blake is planning an attack.” Theodore awkwardly let his arms fall to his sides.
    “ What can we do?” Kevin took a few steps further to join Monty and Theodore.
    “ I wanted to talk to Monty about this first, but we have a big job for you, Kevin.”
    Monty put a hand on Kevin’s arm. “What kind of job? Theodore, should we speak about this privately first?”
    “ We cannot defeat Blake on our own. We need to get the support of the other nations. We need the Pact behind us.” Theodore ran his hands through his hair, a nervous habit he shared with Monty.
    “ And you think sending Kevin is the answer?” Monty raised his voice to a level just below yelling.
    Liam nudged me. He caught my eye, silently asking me if I knew what was going on.
    “ As the Essence’s brother, Kevin is technically second to the Gerard. They will at least have to give him an audience.” Theodore’s voice had risen to match Monty’s volume.
    “ What you say is true. But who will accompany him on his journey? I am not leaving Charlotte’s side.” Monty started to pace. Five minutes with his brother and Monty was already talking formally.
    “ Will someone please fill me in here? I’m the one you’re talking about.” Kevin was obviously getting annoyed. I understood the feeling. Few things were more frustrating than having people make decisions for you without asking for your input.
    Monty stopped pacing long enough to question Kevin. “Do you know what the Pact is?”
    “ Yeah. It’s something like the United Nations. But what do I have to do with it?”
    “ You need to convince the other nations to join with us, to stand against Blake.” Theodore lowered his voice after taking a few breaths to calm down.
    “ And you really think I’m the one to do it?” Kevin asked.
    Theodore didn’t hesitate. “You are the only one to do it.”
    Monty nodded. My nerves kicked in. I understood that anything we did in Energo could be dangerous, but I didn’t like the idea of Kevin being sent to meet with leaders from all those other worlds. I wondered if they were all shifters like the Zatamanians, Naomi’s people.
    “ I agree Kevin should do it, but you never answered my question, Theodore.” Monty’s face didn’t reveal his feelings, but I assumed he was nervous, too. “Who will accompany him? You can hardly expect him to find his way alone.”
    “ Naomi has been with us, and she has agreed to escort him, as has Samantha.”
    Kevin noticeably flinched when he heard Samantha’s name. He tried to look around nonchalantly, but I noticed his response.
    Theodore laughed. “She is out training some new recruits, but she will be at dinner.” He must have figured out what the rest of us already knew; Kevin was totally into Samantha.
    “ I am willing to accompany Kevin as well. I will stay with Charlotte if you think it is best, but I went to some Pact meetings with my father and may be of use.” Henry appeared excited at the prospect of joining Kevin. I would miss having him with us, but if he could help Kevin, I wanted him to go.
    “ He is right. Henry used to tag along with our father frequently. He is the only one of us who showed interest in Father’s ambassador work.” It sounded as though Lawson