Shadow Rising by Yasmine Galenorn Read Free Book Online Page A

around. “I don’t like this. Why aren’t they here?”
    Camille let out an exasperated sigh. “Fuck this. We need to get moving. There are gangs in this area that could take us on and win, even with all our firepower.” She glanced at Roz and smiled. “You do have your arsenal under that duster, don’t you?”
    He slyly flipped it back, flasher-style. Metal and wood and magical bombs glinted out from within the folds, under the eye catchers that floated through the streets. “I’ve got what you want, babe.”
    Trillian snorted. “You’re lucky I’m not Smoky.”
    Roz snickered back at him. “As much as I admire the thought of being in your shoes, when it comes to Camille, I wouldn’t trade places with you for a million bucks. Sharing a woman, no problem. Sharing a woman with a testosterone-laden dragon whose temper has a flashpoint of zero—not so much. And I’ve already been on the receiving end of that temper.”
    “If you’ve finished discussing this scintillating matter, I suggest we get a move on.” With a
hrmph
, Camille pushed past the two men. I swung in beside her, and Delilah took theother side. The guys fell in behind us, as we headed down the cobblestone street in the direction of the palace.
    The scent of opium wafted out of the buildings by which we were passing, and then, with a little gasp, Camille stopped, staring at one of the nightclubs.
    “The Collequia.”
She turned to Trillian, who slid his arm around her waist.
    I leaned against the stone wall of the opium den. So the old joint was still up and running, and probably still owned by our father’s friend, Jahn.
    “It seems hard to believe it’s been thirteen years since we first met here.” Trillian gently pressed a kiss on her lips. “Do you want to go in?”
    She stared at the door for a moment but then shook her head. “Too much water under the bridge. I’ll always remember the first time I laid eyes on you, but it wasn’t because of the club. It was because you were…the most striking man I’d ever seen. And you came to my defense when I needed you. We were meant to be together. You’re my alpha.”
    Without a word, he swept her away from the door, and they began walking down the street again. We followed.
    Chase caught up to me. “Is that where…”
    “They met? Yes. Camille was on assignment. This city holds our past, Chase. It guards our secrets and dreams. Our childhood and our memories.”
    “Where were you when…I mean…I suppose I shouldn’t ask but…” He floundered for words but I knew what he meant.
    “There’s a cave not far outside of the city limits. Dredge kept his nest there. In Y’Elestrial, vampire nests are forbidden to have more than thirteen members before they have to hive off. But Dredge defied the order. He was attempting to set up a Vampire Court—which is against the law within the city-state. Since the land the cave’s on is Y’Elestrial territory, he was breaking the law. And I was sent in to spy on him, so we could raid them.”
    “Have you ever gone back?” Chase’s question hovered in the air, and if I had been breathing, I would have caught my breath. As it was, I stopped in my tracks. I guess the look onmy face was either terrifying or terrified, because he quickly began to backpedal. “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean anything by it—”
    Not wanting to scare him, I forced myself to speak. “No, I’ve never been back there.” A wave of horror swept over me at the thought of setting foot back in the cavern. I’d thought myself over the fear. Dredge was dead. I had staked him. I was free. Or, at least, I thought I was free.
    “I’m so sorry. Menolly, I should never have asked. I’m so stupid.” Somehow, Chase’s contrition was worse than the question he’d asked.
    “It’s not your fault.” I hurried to reassure him. He’d asked a simple question. The fact that the question had hit me so hard worried the fuck out of me.
    The others had noticed our conversation