Scorched Fury: A SkinWalker Novel #5 (DarkWorld: SkinWalker) by T.G. Ayer Read Free Book Online Page B

won't be gone long."
    Tara's eyes shifted away from the snowy-haired fae to me. She frowned as she considered my words and then her eyes cleared, understanding the deeper meaning. She gave Elan a suspicious glance.
    Then, to my relief, she gave a firm, regal, don't-try-to-change-my-mind nod. "Tell the council I'll be a bit late. I have an important errand to run."
    Elan's pale blue eyes turned paler still, ice-chips now as the air frosted, and ice crept up the sides of the walls behind him. At his feet, frost covered the wool carpet, and crackled against the window beside me.
    "My Queen, may I suggest that this is a very bad-"
    "Elan." Her voice shut him up. "I will return in a while. The council should be satisfied that what I am attending to is of the utmost importance. I am not known for my frivolity."
    Elan gave me a glance. "Very well. But I hope that should this creature be duping you, you will end her swiftly and return to your duties?"
    I raised my eyebrows. End me?
    Tara laughed. "How easy that would be Elan, to end every creature who disrespected me or used me." She paused and watched his face. "Or lied to me."
    So it was possible for the ice prince to go even whiter. His blue hair had turned into blade sharp shards and the tips of his collar points both hung lower with icicles.
    "As you wish, my Queen." He bowed low, but as he rose he said, "I must assure you though that should you not return within the hour, I will be forced to send out the Royal Guard with orders to eliminate any and all threats to your safety, perceived or real."
    He shifted his gaze to me. "Friend or not."

CHAPTER 8

"I S THAT SO ?" ASKED T ARA , HER expression just as cold as the Fae's.
    I hid my smile and watched the Ice Prince cringe as Tara took a step towards him.
    When she spoke, her voice shivered with an echo that terrified even me. The powerful, Royal side of her that I'd never seen. "Please inform the Council to await my arrival. I will be back within the hour. Should I not return, then I would suggest you send out a search party for both the Panther Alpha and myself. Only one reason will impede my return, and that is if both our lives are in danger."
    The Prince's face turned a few shades grayer, though his eyes darkened with something akin to hatred. "Yes, my lady." He bowed his head. "Please forgive me. My only concern is that of the safety of my future bride." He back-pedaled a few steps, then turned and left the room.
    I raised both eyebrows and stared at Tara. "Future bride?" The words echoed around us, my horror impossibly loud. "Please don't tell me you're going to make babies with him ?"
    The future bride snorted, then glared at the empty threshold. "In his dreams." Then she sighed and met my eyes. "A marriage arranged by my mother when I was born."
    I gave a shocked, choke. "Gracie did that? Why would she do such a thing? And where is she anyway?"
    Tara opened her mouth to respond, her face bleak, as if drained of all emotion. Then she cleared her throat and her expression transformed, now calm and serene.
    "So? What are you waiting for? Take me to the tree." She lifted her chin imperiously but the mischievous smile on her face spoiled the effect.
    "I thought you could get there yourself?" I asked, grinning. Fae possessed the enviable ability to move great distances without being seen. Not entirely a jumper's ability, but they still moved with incredible speed and could cloak themselves in invisibility whenever they wished.
    "I can, but I think it would be safer if we travelled together."
    Before I could ask why, Mel materialized beside us. Tara blinked and smiled. The two women greeted each other, friends too.
    Mel held out a hand, one to each of us. "We'd better be going. I'll drop you off at the tree, then I have an errand to run."
    We both nodded and Mel jumped us to an alley a block from the Chicago Ash Tree.  
    We appeared, then used the shadows to scan the street for nosy passers-by. Mel disappeared after giving