Tell by Allison Merritt Read Free Book Online Page B

Lucky for us, he can be invisible. I wouldn’t want to try and explain him around town.”
    Dochi squatted by the bed, his gaze unwavering.
    She looked away from the little demon. “He’s been here this whole time?”
    â€œYep. He’s not going anywhere for a while, not until Father’s cronies can figure out what’s happening to me.” Tell had aged ten years since yesterday morning. Gone was the laughing man who never let anything upset him.
    â€œNo matter what’s happening, if you need me, I’m here.” She cupped his face and leaned in close. “You’re important to me. We’ll get through this and everything will be all right.”
    â€œYou’re a lunatic.” He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against hers. “Only you would think things are going to be fine after living in a place like Berner.”
    â€œI’m hopelessly optimistic,” she admitted. “Because of Berner. You’ve never given up when the odds weren’t in your favor before. This is no different. Besides, it might be nothing. Just your everyday, average flaming man.”
    â€œI’ll take my show on the road. You can be my pretty assistant. Every good act has one,” he muttered.
    He was all but asleep, practically passed out on her shoulder.
    â€œC’mon, Heckmaster, it’s time for you to go to bed.” She eased away from him and rose.
    Tell blinked. “I have to go see Eban. He’ll want to know what our father said.”
    â€œI’ll send him your way in the morning. For now, you have to rest.” She knelt to pull off his boots.
    He didn’t protest when she lifted his legs onto the bed.
    â€œI forbid you to get out of bed until tomorrow morning.” She wagged her finger at him. “You’re not invincible, you know.”
    â€œDamn near.” His eyes closed. “Thanks, Sylvie.”
    â€œYou’re welcome.” She bent, brushed a kiss across his forehead and squeezed his shoulder. “Sleep well.”
    He didn’t answer.
    â€œDochi,” she whispered.
    â€œYes, thoughtful and gracious lady?” Dochi squeezed his paws together while his tail swung back and forth.
    â€œWatch over him.”
    Dochi smiled. “I would give my life for him, miss.”
    â€œMe too.” She trusted the imp, even though she knew better and Tell was obviously upset that he had to share his life with Dochi now. It gave her a sense of security that Seneca was watching out for his son even at a distance.
    Tell will never turn his demon loose. Seneca’s helpers will learn how to stop the name curse. Tell’s too good of a man to turn.
    Meacham’s warnings were the stuff of fairytales without an ounce of truth.
    * * * * *
    Tell slept like the dead. And he woke to Dochi curled at the end of his bed, snoring loud as thunder. He nudged the imp, but Dochi didn’t so much as twitch. Tell sat up, then rubbed his hand over his face. The pain in his ribs was down to a few twinges. Sleep was what he’d needed to heal.
    Not that he’d admit to Sylvie that she was right about it.
    He rose and threw the blankets over Dochi’s head. It was tempting to roll up the ugly little creature, wrap a few chains around the bundle and find a river to toss the creep in. That would probably prompt a visit from his father and he didn’t need that. Not today.
    He studied himself in the mirror, pleased that the black circles beneath his eyes were almost nonexistent. The man the ladies in the saloon loved to look at was almost back to normal. A scruff of beard roughened his face. It matched the way his hair stood on end. The resident nut was in-house and ready for another day of keeping the madness of Berner away from the humans.
    Dochi continued snoring while Tell shaved and washed his face. He wiped water from his chin and dropped the hand towel on the floor. As he turned, he caught a flicker from the