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

one of your pretty donors. I’m taking a shower.” I pushed his head roughly out of my lap and stalked off to the bathroom, hearing the sound of his laughter behind me.
    My shower cooled down my temper, so by the time Farrell showed up to lea d us to the ceremony, we trod the curved flower-laden path hand in hand. It would only take a kiss for my resolve to shatter, so what was the point? Samson trotted happily behind us, stopping to sniff at trees and bark at creatures apparently only he could see. The path ended at an open field. In the center burned a magical fire colored with streaks of faerie gold, rose red, the violet of fae eyes, and the teal of pixie wings.
    As Liam had described, all the f ae that passed us on the way to the field were wearing something yellow or orange, green or blue. I had chosen a lovely turquoise flower which I wore in my blonde hair. The rest of my outfit consisted of my usual low rise jeans, a slinky sleeveless v-necked top and sandals.  Garrett wore a tan shirt, a rust colored vest that gave him an old world look, and jeans.
    The path ended at an open field. In the center burned a magical fire colored with streaks of faerie gold, rose red, the violet of fae eyes, and the teal of pixie wings. Sloping up from the field were rich green hills with multiple flat plateaus where hundreds of fae gathered together to watch the proceedings in the clearing below. The four Elders were seated in the ceremonial clearing along with a young male and a young female fae. Those two were scantily clad and wearing wreaths of summer flowers. The male elders wore long saffron robes, their hair hanging loosely around their shoulders. The two female Elders were dressed in similar robes in a rich blue shade, also with their hair unbound.
    Farrell led us up a lushly green sloping p ath to end at a lovely area fragrant with the scent of fresh herbs and flowers. Tables were laden with food and there were hand carved chairs set out in different arrangements so that small groups could sit together and talk. Standing off to the left were Aedus and Lady Silvus, so Garrett and I made our way in that direction. They greeted us formally at first but then warmly invited us to sit where we could have a good view of the proceedings.
    Liam strolled over to where we were sitting, squatted beside me and spoke softly. “Miss Jacqueline,” he teased. “I humbly ask you to accept my apology. I regret the way I behaved this afternoon. Please forgive me.”
    He looked contrite and adorable so I sighed and gave him my hand like a medieval queen. “I accept your apology.” He kissed it gently and Garrett choked out a laugh. Liam’s eyes were sparkling with humor. “Please, no more demonstrations of what a badass you are.”
    “As long as you take my advice seriously.” He shrugged. "My intenti on was not to frighten you."
    I pointed toward Sa mson. "Happy? ”
    “Your continued sa fety makes me happy.” He sent with a more serious expression.
    “Thank you, Liam. I know I ’m a pain in the ass sometimes."
    “I won’t disagree with you.” I looked around for something to throw at him but instead had to settle for a glare. He just smiled and turned to Garrett. “I’ll translate for you both tonight. Connect and I will speak to you at the same time. Also I strongly recommend that you hold on to each other tightly. It can be rather overwhelming the first time.”
    “Of course, thank you Liam.” Garrett was still laughing over Liam’s apology. He scooted his chair next to mine and wrapped his long arm over my shoulder while I leaned agains t him. I was nervous. I should have asked for a little more information about what this celebration entailed. Overwhelming? Was that in a good way?
    The light in the field and on the individual plateaus began to dim as if the sun were setting quickly. A few scattered fae lights sprang to life around the perimeter, but other than the bonfire, most of the area was in darkness. There was a