Sergius: #4 (Luna Lodge: Hunters of Atlas) by Madison Stevens Read Free Book Online Page A

the woman on the couch and placed her fingers to the other woman’s face. She shifted after a second, possibly to relieve some pressure off her pregnancy bump.
    “Looks like she just passed out,” Rem said. He looked over to Jade. “Did you see what happened?”
    Sergius watched as Jade opened her mouth to speak but stopped as she stared down at Dea. He turned and watched as the woman’s eyes shot open, and she stared at them wide-eyed.
    “He’s here,” she said and struggled to sit up. Jenna placed a hand on her arm to hold her down.
    Jenna leaned in a little and spoke softly so the other woman would feel comfortable. “Who’s here?”
    “I don’t know. But he wanted her.” Dea pointed over at Jade. Her hands trembled.
    All eyes turned to Jade.
    “But, I don’t—” she began.
    “He wants you. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Dea burst into loud, harsh sobs.
    Rem glanced over at Sergius, who offered Rem a nod but otherwise kept his attention focused on Jade and Dea.
    Jade stepped over to where she was in front of the woman.
    “It’s okay,” Jade said softly. She ran her hand soothingly across Dea’s forehead until the woman closed her eyes.
    She stood back up. Sergius stepped forward and was glad when she used his weight to steady her own tired body.
    Despite the concern coursing through him, he said nothing for the moment. The most important thing was to make sure Jade felt safe.
    The bizarre events that had just unfolded would be worked out, one way or another, even if he was still wrapping his mind around sharing a dream with his Vestal.
    “Someone tell me what the hell is going on?” Marcus said. He glared at them as if he’d been left out of the conversation. “One of our people has been attacked, and this outsider was involved?”
    “She didn’t do it,” Sergius growled.
    Marcus sneered at him.
    “I was having a dream,” Jade said quietly. A blush spread across her cheeks. “When suddenly that thing came out of nowhere and went after Dea.”
    Rem nodded once, not the faintest hint of disbelief on his face. Sergius was grateful for that. He didn’t know what he’d do if his leader openly questioned his Vestal.
    “Did you see it?” Rem asked.
    Jade shook her head. “Not really. It was black all around. Whatever it was didn’t want me to see it.”
    Marcus barked out a loud laugh. “That’s your story? We’re supposed to believe that your dream attacked Dea?”
    Jaded turned and held up her arm until the large gash was obvious.
    “It did this to me as well.” She paused for a moment and looked up to Sergius. “I don’t know how to explain it, or what it all means, but it did it while in my dream. It hurt me there, and somehow that hurt me in real life.”
    Sergius frowned at the deep wound. He had been so wrapped up in saving Dea that he hadn’t even noticed. Anger ripped through him. This thing could threaten and terrorize his Vestal in her dreams. He bit back a growl.
    “Then I saw Dea. It was there,” she said. Her voice shook as she spoke, and Sergius wrapped his arm around her. “When I woke up Sergius was there, and then we rushed to save her.”
    Rem looked over to him and raised a brow. He knew more questions would be coming later on that matter.
    “You don’t actually believe this?” Marcus said. “This is ridiculous. This goes way beyond her just being strange and noticing things.”
    “Any more than the power of the stone to destroy men?” Rem said, his face uncharacteristically grim. He chuckled darkly. “You, of all people, Marcus believe in our Atlantean heritage and that we’re more than just men.”
    “Still…”
    “Myth doesn’t have the chosen of gods opposed by mere men.” He waved a hand. “We’ll find out the truth, one way or another, but for now, we have to acknowledge there is a threat to our people.” He turned to Sergius. “I think maybe we should let Jenna take Jade back to our house to get her cut cleaned up.”
    Sergius nodded his