Synnergy, Chaos Time Book 3 by Marie Hall Read Free Book Online Page B

her
bottom lip and releasing Slayde’s hand, rolled over, sighing loudly
as sensation flooded the numb side of her body. He frowned, but
didn’t move.
    She studied his sleeping profile. His strong jaw and
long nose. Full lips, that if she were braver, she’d lean over and
kiss right now.
    A side of her wanted to shake him awake, talk to him
and tell him what she’d learned, but another side of her, the
biggest side was afraid to tell him anything. Truth was, she wasn’t
sure she trusted him not to get himself killed trying to protect
her.
    She needed a level head, a level mind. So it was with
bitter regret she got up and tip toed as quiet as possible to the
door. She was almost there when a floorboard squeaked. Clenching
her teeth, she turned, but neither occupant moved.
    She turned the knob and shot out, closing the door as
quiet as possible behind her. It must have been really late,
because all around her she heard a sea of snores. The candles were
all blown out and she was actually a little shocked, she’d expected
to see people up until twilight. But it was calm and she was
grateful.
    As quick as she could, she walked down the staircase
listening for signs of life. There wasn’t even a bartender behind
the bar. She walked outside and inhaled the delicious salt tinged
air as she headed toward the back alley, nearly tripping over the
still form of Bob. He was curled in on himself and it was hard to
tell if he was passed out cold, or dead.
    She waited and held her breath. If he was dead, what
should she do? Would the people realize who’d killed him? Had Ari
killed him? He wasn’t moving. She stayed so still she started to
feel dizzy, all sorts of what ifs running sprints through her mind.
Worry gnawed at her intestines.
    And then he farted and she fought the hysterical
laughter that threatened to fall from her lips. Sable pinched her
nose and jogged the last bit to a deep cover of shadow. Nice to
know the healer hadn’t done anything stupid.
    Her heart finally started to beat a steady rhythm
again when she whispered Hunter’s name. A moment later a blue rift
appeared and he stepped out. But instinct had her taking a step
back. He was large; double his normal size and breathing heavy.
There were scratches all over his face and the fangs she’d sworn
she’d seen before were back and there was no doubt about their
length.
    “What?” His voice was guttural. Sable sensed that he
was desperately trying to control whatever beast held him
thrall.
    She frowned and ignoring her instinct, reached out to
touch the side of his jaw. “What happened to you?”
    He jerked his head back. “Don’t touch me. I’ll be
fine.” But his eyes were glowing an eerie shade of poured metal and
his words rumbled with barely checked fury and she knew he lied.
“I’ll be fine,” he said again.
    Was he trying to convince himself, or her?
    “I found out about a man named The Bandit.”
    Hunter’s nostrils flared, he sniffed the wind like a
dog and then he shoved her behind him.
    She peered out from around his rigid frame. “What?”
she whispered, panic threaded the word.
    He didn’t say anything for a while, and she thought
maybe he hadn’t heard her. After another minute or so, she finally
felt the tense muscles of his back relax and he shook his head.
    “I saw something.” He turned around.
    “Do you think it saw us?” she whispered, but knowing
deep down it was too late for stealth.
    He looked at her. “Yes.”
    One word, but the sound of it was a death knell to
her heart.

Chapter 6:
Suspicions and Red Herrings

    Sheets of sunlight poured through the open window,
bathing Sable in a wash of golden heat. She stretched cat like,
arms high above her head. Spine arced, toes pointed and wiggling.
She patted Slayde. Or at least the side of the bed where Slayde had
been.
    She opened her eyes, blinking against the bright
lights of morning.
    “He’s gone,” Arianna said. She was sitting on the
bed. Legs hanging over the side.