Resurrection by Nancy Holder Read Free Book Online

him of Kari, when they’d first become lovers. Driven, ambitious, lustful. He wasn’t sure she knew what love was.
    Of course, he didn’t know, either.
    He could tell that she knew he’d spotted her; she began making her way down a narrow path. He went to his small white towel and began to dry off, averting his gaze at the sight of his gnarled hands; his fingers were swollen lumps of scar tissue. It was remarkable—perhaps miraculous, or simply ironic—that Black Fire hadn’t touched his groin. A waste, from his point of view.
    He was fully dressed by the time Eve reached him. She was wearing a black fisherman’s sweater and black jeans. She had let her short hair grow, and her huge eyes in her delicate face gave her an elfin appearance. But there was nothing dainty about Eve. She was a trained assassin, and she had nearly takenhim, Jer, down in her eagerness to please her master, Sir William Moore.
    Despite her protestations to the contrary, Jer assumed she was still Sir William’s willing servant. Moore had transformed into a hideous demon and had vanished during the battle, and as with Eli, Jer hadn’t seen him since. But this was the third time Eve and Jer had crossed paths—and each time, he’d braced himself for an attack. None had come.
    Maybe the third time is the charm .
    â€œGood morning,” she said to him in her upper-class British accent.
    â€œWhat do you want?” Jer’s voice was flat and cold.
    â€œBy the God, you’re testy today.” She smiled faintly at him. “Seen your brother?”
    â€œIf I had, I wouldn’t tell you. I’m betting Sir William is turning up the heat. Wants payback for the massacre.”
    She began to shake her head, then sighed heavily and crossed her arms. As she moved her weight, he felt a stir of desire, and efficiently and magically quelled it.
    â€œActually, this time I have come from the Supreme Coven, but not from Sir William. No one’s seen him. And since James Moore, his son and heir, is dead, it’s been declared that House Moore sits on the throne of bones no longer.”
    She uncrossed her arms and inclined her head, agesture of deference. The wind ruffled her hair as seagulls wheeled across the sun, casting shadows on her face.
    â€œI’ve been authorized to offer the throne to you,” she declared. Then she gazed up at him and smiled. “The Temple of the Air’s got us on the run.”
    He stared at her. “Are you serious? I took part in the attack.”
    She moved closer to him, and he smelled fresh soap and soft skin. Felt her body heat. “Come on , Jer. We’re warlocks. There’s no such thing as loyalty. Only enlightened self-interest.”
    â€œWell, I’m not interested.”
    Her smile played on her mouth. There was a dimple on either side of her mouth. He hadn’t noticed them before. “Maybe Eli would be interested.”
    â€œAsk him. If you find him,” Jer said. He wondered if that had been Eli’s plan all along. What had Michael felt, when he’d realized his son was about to murder him? Pride, no doubt, that his older son was as ruthless as he.
    â€œPerhaps we could sweeten the pot,” Eve ventured, laying a hand on his forearm. His chest tightened. No one touched him anymore.
    â€œI would rather die,” he said frankly, brushing past her.
    â€œThat can be arranged too.” The seagulls nearly drowned her out.
    He stopped walking. “Are they that afraid of her?”
    â€œAre you?’
    He resumed his pace. There would be tea at the inn where he was staying. And a fire.
    He was cold.
    Outside Warsaw, Poland:
Holly, Alex, Pablo, Armand, and the Temple of the Air
    Pablo recovered from his psychic fright, and the Temple of the Air moved on. Alex quizzed him repeatedly about what had caused his collapse, but Pablo didn’t know. Alex accused him of lying. But why should he lie?
    Pablo knew