Rising Shadows by Bridget Blackwood Read Free Book Online Page B

so Madalaina takes her brother’s mate out of his embrace and carries her to the nearby benches. Bastien is in the ring, chest and feet bare. When he lost the shoes, I don’t know. The man is faster than the flash when he puts his mind to it.
    Rachel’s blood still marks his lips and chin.  “Come on, Miguel. You want blood. Let’s shed blood.”
    Miguel sneers and leaves with his Mama.
    Bastien faces his father.  “She has been blooded. By the morning, she will be bedded.”
    Damn, now I’m jealous.
    Claude nods,  “The law doesn’t accept her as a full mate until then.”
    Madalaina hugs her new sister in law.  “You’re okay, Rachel. I know you’re confused but trust Bastien. He will take care of you.”
    She moves back while Bastien collects his bride. His shirt is on but unbuttoned. I follow Madalaina out into the front hall. She stands gazing out the window. Her brow is furrowed. She's cute when she worries.
    I put a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.  “It will be okay Mads.”
    She jumps, startled. I snuck up on her.  “Damn it, Cleary! Don’t sneak up on people. Or they might staple a bell to you. And stop calling me Mads.”
    I snicker.  “Sure thing Mads. Are you going to be okay?”
    “Hell no. Bastien just claimed a mate, I’m thrilled for him, but Mom will be a nightmare. Dad is maintaining a vigilant eye on the niece I never knew I had. Which leaves me to bear the brunt of mom’s tirade. It is going to be of epic proportions, I assure you. I ordinarily crash at Bastien’s house when she gets like that, but they have enough to work out right now without having little sister underfoot.” She’s animated when she talks. Her hands wave all over.
    “You’re welcome at my apartment, ”  I offer.
    “Cleary Neil I am not a notch on anyone’s bedpost.” She punches me in the arm.
    Rubbing the spot I say,  “Whoa! I didn’t say you were. If you need a place to hide out, you got one. On the couch. Relax.”
    “Oh. Okay. Um, thanks. If she gets too bad, I might come by. I better get going. Maybe I can get home and lock myself in my room before Mom gets home.”
    I watch her leave. Madalaina is a good girl. I pray to God that I am mated before she fully comes into her own. Otherwise, I am a complete goner.
     

 
    CHAPTER 7
     
    Rachel
        What the hell just happened!? Bastien has a lot of explaining to do. What did he mean he claimed me? The biting thing wasn’t bad, but I shouldn’t have almost orgasmed from a flesh wound. I sense him before I see him approaching. Bastien seats himself on the bench touching me. He’s tying his shoes.
    “Does your neck hurt?”  He won’t look at me.
    I touch the bite.  “Not much, maybe a little tender. Miguel wanted to rip my throat out. In comparison, this is excellent.”
    He sweeps me up into his arms. Sharp green eyes stare into mine.  “Don’t compare me to him. We’re not anything alike.”
      I lift my hand to cup his cheek.  “I know you aren’t. I don’t understand how, but I know.” He hugs me closer. I lay my head against him listening to his breathing.  “My world is very complicated,” I say.
    He doesn’t say anything. We head for the door and his car. He deposits me in the passenger seat, even belted me in. Tenderly he pushes my hair over my shoulder.  “I love your hair. The color, it’s like gold.” Bastien rubs a strand between his fingers.  “What happened in there, I don’t expect you to understand. I promise to explain and answer all your questions. Have patience with me?”
    He hasn’t given me a reason to not trust him. I am drawn to him, and the idea of being his wife doesn’t scare me. Taking a deep breath, I give him a timid smile.  “A good mate would trust, right?”
    He rewards me with a smile of his own.  “I will be a good mate, Rachel.”
    We don’t talk on the drive to Bastien’s house. We’re both still trying to process. Bastien was a bachelor this morning. Now he has a