Tempted by Elise Marion Read Free Book Online Page A

necessary. Angels could typically read into a human’s memories or dreams, but only when that person had an open mind. Jackson had more than a few walls erected that would take Sarah forever to break down, even though she possessed the power to. She did not have that kind of time.
    Leliel studied her silently, his wispy frame billowing like transparent smoke. He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
    “ Have you not tried accessing his mind?”
    “ He is stubborn,” she said with a frown, remembering Jackson’s defiant stare. “My time is limited, and I need some insight into the darkness lurking in his soul. It’s important, Leliel. He’s a chosen Guardian, undecided. Eligos already had his eyes on him when I was assigned, which means this man possesses quite a gift.”
    Leliel’s glowing eyes widened and he inhaled sharply. “Eligos.”
    Sarah did not miss the shadows that crossed Leliel’s features at the sound of his brother’s name. Leliel had cut himself off from all emotion when Eligos chose the path of the Fallen.
    “ Yes. He’s involved, and I don’t have to tell you what that means.”
    Leliel nodded. “Very well. You may have access to the dreams of Jackson Bennett.”
     
     
     
     
    Jackson spotted the Iraqis dotting the ridge to his right just seconds before he dove for cover. Bullets flew overhead, and he could hear the sound of them bouncing off the Humvee’s doors and windows as he scrambled around to the other side of the vehicle. He could see and hear Reedley screaming and struggling inside. Jackson lifted his head and saw his panic-stricken face through the window.
    “ Hang tight Reed,” he yelled as his hands closed around the M4 carbine rifle at his side. “I’ll get you out of there.”
    He didn’t know if it was because Reedley could hear him, or if the boy could sense the confidence in Jackson’s tone and facial expression, but the young private instantly calmed. Jackson knew he could not circle around to Reedley’s side of the Humvee without being shot full of bullets. He would have to go in through the driver’s side, and there was still Scott in the front seat and Richards between him and Reedley. Both were still unconscious.
    He could see that Reedley was still fumbling with his seatbelt inside and prayed he could stop panicking long enough to reach his seatbelt cutter and get himself out of there. The occupants of the second Humvee came pouring out one by one through the driver’s side, weapons drawn. Jackson could see that the occupants of the fourth truck had done the same. He could faintly hear someone yelling over the radio calling the nine line medevac. He tried not to look overlong at the third truck, which at this point was nothing more than a twisted, smoking metal grave for those who had been inside.
    Chaos reigned supreme as the men around him threw themselves into the fight. Bullets and 85mm mortars rained down on them from the jagged ridge where the enemy had taken refuge behind large rocks and boulders. Time seemed suspended and motionless as the sounds of the firefight surrounded them. His every sense seemed heightened in the moments that followed, and every detail stood out in sharp focus; the heat of the scorching desert sun overhead, the wiz of bullets flying by and the explosive sound of the occasional mortar nearby, the sound of the other guys’ voices shouting, the taste of dry sandy grit in his mouth.
    The butt stock of the rifle kicked back against his shoulder as he fired, taking off the leg of the Iraqi he’d been eyeing through scope. “Black vest, ten o’clock!” Jackson hollered to be heard. “Motherfucker’s shooting mortars!”
    Jackson eyed the massive boulder concealing the mortar-launching Iraqi. A moment ago the man had been right in his scope, but for the moment he was safe from Jackson behind his boulder. Jackson hoped that one of the others could take him down. Fortunately he hadn’t landed a single mortar near enough to do any