Stalked (Rogues Shifter #2) by Gayle Parness Read Free Book Online

endangered his own. We’d talked for hours on end about what it meant to be healers who had to fight against our own natures in order to kill, a quirk of our DNA that no one else shared or understood. Liam had become as important to me as the rest of my team of rogues.
    “At the ceremony there a re the usual rituals, delicious food and wine, a huge bonfire, lively dancing and singing. Sex is customary but optional. It’s all delightfully hedonistic.” He smiled playfully watching my reaction. Of course, my face heated up in its usual embarrassed blush. I kicked myself mentally.
    “It sounds perfect, “ said Garrett in his sultry way, kissing me on the cheek and looking a little wound up.
    “You hedonist,“ I teased.
    “Vampire in love, ” he teased back, pointing to his chest and making my heart warm.
    Liam smiled as he continued. “The men wear something yellow or gold as a tribute to the sun, the women something green or blue as a tribute to the earth. I’ll have some things brought over for you to choose from. The celebration is over a three day period. Tonight is the main event. You should be prepared for just about anything.” His large violet eyes turned serious as he looked at me directly. “It’s important that you bring Samson. Kennet is dangerous.”
    “I’m sure we can handle K ennet.” I shrugged.
    He shook his head in irritation. “Perhaps you think of my race as beautiful and gentle, but we are also cruel and terrifying, as bloodthirsty as any vampire. We carry in us the ancient Wild Magic. We are the Sidhe: banshee, goblin, selkie, slaugh, and so many more. Seelie and Unseelie.”
    Liam’s eyes suddenly shone black with dark magic. His teeth sharpened to fine points and saliva dripp ed down his pointier chin. His body grew bulkier and glowed with a dark power that sent waves of ice cold energy spearing through my chest, making the hair stand up on my arms. His hands turned to ugly stumps with sharp claws and scales covered his visible skin. As the air in the room cooled, my body temperature began to drop dramatically.
    A moment later the transformation reversed and Liam was himself again. I must have looked frightened because he said, “I’m sorry, Jacqueline, but you always seem to need a practical demonstration before you believe what I tell you.” He smiled a little sheepishly.
    I looked from Liam to Garrett, who was doing his best not to break out laughing, and back agai n to Liam. “What the fuck, Liam. I almost wet myself.”
    That did it. They both started laughing, Garrett so hard he almost fell off the couch. I scowled at them and got up and walked over to where Samson was sprawled on the floor. “You’re supposed to protect me from these asshol es, Samson. Go and bite them.” Instead, he rolled over onto his back, tongue lolling out, just begging for a belly scratch. “You’re a big help. You guys always stick together.” I sat down on the floor next to my canine traitor, leaned against the wall and crossed my arms over my chest.
    “I will see you later.” Liam ducked out the door before I could yell at him again, leaving Garrett to bear the brunt. I glared daggers at my mate who was rolling off the couch and crawling toward me in supplication.
    "I'm on my hands and kne es begging for your forgiveness." He moved with his usual animal grace, successfully distracting me. All part of his evil plan.
    "Won't work." I was forced to bite my lip to keep my mouth from twitching into a smile.
    He laid his head in my lap so I’d have a good look at his handsome face. “You can hit me if you want.” His sapphire eyes glittering with mischief, a pink tear still shining at the corner of his left eye.
    So he'd laughed so hard he'd cried, huh? I scowled. “It's tempting, but it wouldn’t hurt you and you’d probably just get turned on. But let me tell you something, Mr. Cuvier, you’re not getting any for at least a week.”
    He laughed again. “We’ll see."
    “Go feed from