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

around warily. The torch flames adding to the creepy ambiance by making shadows twitch across the floors and walls.
    A pale young woman, her hair a rich auburn, her eyes a lovely golden brown came through the entrance to the cells and stopped only five feet from me. Slightly blurry around the edges, she was dressed in an ankle length pale blue skirt covered in a cream colored over-skirt. Her white blouse had a high neck and was partially concealed by a short navy blue jacket. Her clothes were dirty and ripped in several places. There were red stains near the neck of her blouse. Her bare feet seemed to touch the ground and yet she appeared to move without lifting them, as if she stood on a slick surface and a breeze slid her half an inch forward and then gently back the other way.
    Her voice was hoarse and dry, perhaps from lack of use, and she spoke slowly, as if trying to remember how. "Please excuse me. I heard you mention Garrett. Are you acquainted with my brother?"
    I backed away from the female, ending up pressed against the cold stone wall, but too frightened to take my eyes off of her. "You swore you wouldn't teach me this, Isaiah."
    "I've taught you nothing, I've simply brought you here. She has come to you on her own." He took a step closer, smiling proudly, as if he was the greatest trainer on the planet. "I knew you had this magic the first night I laid eyes on you."
    I watched the shade looking back and forth between the two of us. She seemed confused and a little frightened herself, so even though I was still freaked out, I smiled to put her at ease. When she smiled back, my brain went into overdrive and I let go of my fear.
    Holy shit . She looks so much like him. This shade was what remained of Garrett's sister, and, my god, she could speak to me. "Are you Marie Cuvier?" She didn't seem to notice how much my voice was shaking.
    She took an awkward step back in surprise. "No longer. I am Marie Brody. How do you know my brother?" She looked around the dank room. "Where am I?"
    "I'm his lifemate, Jacqueline." I looked at Isaiah. "She doesn't know..."
    "Patience."
    "That cannot be true, Miss. He would have conveyed to me that he was..." Her expression became frightened as she glanced around furtively, finally beginning to recall what happened. "Vampires attacked our home and we were abducted. I recall it, now." She touched her neck and then wrapped her arms around her body. "They—they tortured us. Garrett tried so bravely to break free of his cell, but the bars were solid silver. He had burns down to the bone."
    Her eyes grew wider with the horror of remembering. "The bald one hurt me—he took.—he shamed me." She clutched at her blouse and looked down at the ground, embarrassed. "The beautiful one tried to turn me into another evil demon. She drank and drank from my neck."
    Marie lifted her hand to touch the bloody marks that still showed where Eleanor had fed from her. "Have I passed on?" I couldn't look at her. "Please. I am dead, am I not? She did not succeed did she? I do not wish to be one of those horrid devils."
    I nodded, and she asked,  "Mother and Father and Garrett? Are they dead as well?"
    Suddenly it was too much and I began to weep, my heart breaking for this sweet woman. "Your parents have passed on, but Garrett's alive. He still feels—feels responsible." Leaning against the wall, I sobbed while she watched me, looking more confused than ever. Isaiah handed me the handkerchief which had materialized in his hand, his expression showing only irritation at my display.
    With wonder in her eyes, she asked, "He lives?"
    I managed to gain some control. "Eleanor made him a vampire, but to avenge you and his parents, he killed her in a duel."
    Her eyes grew wide with shock. "My brother, my sweet knight, an evil blood-crazed vampire?" Her expression sank into despair as she turned away, beginning to drift back toward the cells.
    "No, he isn't evil. He protects other supernaturals and humans from