rogue shifter 05 - caught between by gayle parness Read Free Book Online Page A

asked how you were." Farrell was Kellaine's brother.
    Liam nodded at Farrell, who stood gracefully. "I'll return tomorrow. Thanks Kellie." He popped out of the room, fae style. Isaiah was enjoying the drama.
    Liam sent to me, still frowning at Isaiah. " Call me instantly if you need me ." They took the lines and I was once again alone with my slightly terrifying teacher. Maybe that crack about demons being scaly hadn't been such a great idea. I took a breath and forced myself to remember that this time I had the ability to send him away. The last time we were together, I was pretty much powerless.
    He rose and extended his hand, a surprising gesture because demons, like the fae, generally avoided physical contact with other species.
    "What?" I stared at the hand, a perfectly normal-looking appendage, feeling more than a little uneasy. I remembered the long claws of the creatures painted on the ceiling.
    "Please take it. I have something fascinating to show you."
    I sighed and put my hand in his, hoping that I wasn't making a mistake. What a demon might find fascinating could be something I'd find horrifying, but I needed to trust him if I was going to accomplish anything. For a tiny moment we were bathed in the burning magic of the lines and then suddenly I was in a very cold place blanketed in complete darkness, the difference in temperature making me gasp out loud. I clutched at his hand even harder, feeling an icy chill snake up my spine. "Where the hell is this?"
    "Hell indeed."
    I felt a breeze as Isaiah seemed to wave a hand. Torches came to life on the nearby walls, lighting up the dark stone, damp with mildew and other stains I didn't want to look at. The distinct smell of old blood, mingled with the stench of rot, waste and the aura of misery. When Isaiah dropped my hand, I held my nose and forced myself to take in a steadying breath. I looked around.
    We were in a room without windows or electric light. The walls and floor were constructed of stone blocks cut from quarries and a metal door, left ajar for who knows how long, lay straight ahead. There was only blackness beyond the opening, so I backed up against the wall behind me, nervous about what might lie beyond that door. When my shoulder touched the wall, I noticed a texture different than the rest of the stone. When I sent out my awareness, I discovered that a magical ward had been added to the mortar. Someone had sealed this room with cement and a spell.
    He pointed toward the existing door. "Through there are cells, cages really. When Eleanor died, Garrett ordered that the entrance to these chambers be cemented in."
    "Then I shouldn't be here." I tried to move away from him, but he grabbed my arm and held me there.
    "This was where she kept her prisoners, where she kept Garrett and his mother, father and sister."
    "He doesn't want me here. Otherwise he wouldn't have sealed it up." I jerked on my arm again but he still refused to release me.
    "If he knew who was here, he wouldn't have sealed the room."
    "I promised him. Please, Isaiah. Let go of me." Now I was starting to feel afraid. What if he'd taken me down here to hurt me?
    "You can release her and help him at the same time. Extend your senses and use your sight , Jacqueline."
    "Wh..who?" Oh god. The cold was suddenly so intense that I started to shake uncontrollably, tears filling my eyes "Please, Isaiah, please . I can't do this."
    Losing patience with me, Isaiah grabbed my upper arms, forcing me to look him in the eye. "You were born for this, little demon. The cold will pass. Use the sight your grandmother gifted you with."
    He slid his hands up my arms and grasped my shoulders, turning me to look toward the cells, then stepped back, moving a few feet away from me. A hot breeze scented with a strange spice I couldn't recognize ruffled my hair as the air in the room warmed again. With the increase in temperature I was able to stop my shaking and straighten up, backing away from Isaiah and looking