The Brotherhood of the Snake (Return of the Ancients Book 2) by Carmen Caine, Madison Adler Read Free Book Online Page A

smile. “He’ll come to no harm, Sydney,” he promised, and then turning to Ajax, he nodded once.
    Instantly, the Doberman launched himself across the parking lot towards the truck. I’d never really seen Ajax run before. It was impressive.
    “If it’s a Mesmer, Ajax will take care of it,” Rafael assured me. “They can’t control dogs.”
    On the other side of the parking lot, I saw Al shake his head. With the receipt in his hand, he pivoted on his heel and headed back to the store, apparently dissatisfied with his purchase.
    He never saw Ajax streak towards his truck and leap into the back just as a dark shadow jumped out.
    There was a horrendous squeal.
    I’d never heard such a chilling, high-pitched sound.
    Jareth gasped.
    Falling to his knees, he turned white and fainted.

Chapter Three - In Love with Who?

    Rafael was at Jareth’s side in an instant, catching him as he fell.
    A chill crept down my spine. “What is it?” I asked Rafael in a strangled whisper. “What happened?”
    He didn’t answer me. The corner of his mouth turned down as he ran his hand over Jareth’s pale face.
    I was scared. I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew I was glad Rafael was there. Moving closer to him, I repeated, “What happened? Is he ok?” I didn’t like Jareth, but I didn’t want him hurt.
    “He will be shortly,” Rafael assured. A spark leapt up from his fingers to form a bubble of golden light around his hand before moving to encompass Jareth’s face. It stayed there a moment before fading, leaving Jareth breathing easier and looking much more normal.
    With a nod of satisfaction, Rafael dropped his hand.
    I frowned, again wondering about those golden sparks of light, but I didn’t have time to ask because Ajax chose that moment to burst back onto the scene. Giving Jareth a cursory sniff, the Doberman pawed his shoulder once and then tilted his head sideways to face Rafael and emit a long, low whine.
    Rafael glanced at Ajax with a horrified expression.
    I shivered in apprehension. “It’s the Mesmers, isn’t it,” I stated, knowing I was right. “The lizard people are here, aren’t they?”
    Rafael’s concerned eyes touched mine in a brief acknowledgement. “Ajax … disposed of it. They’re gone. It’s safe now.”
    I was glad Al was safe, and I couldn’t help wondering for how long. But I didn’t ask that.
    From the corner of my eye, I noticed several onlookers pause outside the pet store to stare at us. Hoping they’d lose interest, I turned my attention back to Jareth.
    “Is he going to wake up soon?” I asked Rafael curiously. “What did they do to him?”
    “Mesmers couldn’t have done this,” Rafael replied, in a faintly mystified manner. “They only gain control by looking into your eyes or if you hear their words. Jareth was too far away for either.” His brows knit in a puzzled line.
    “Need an ambulance?” A helpful voice queried.
    I squinted over my shoulder to see a group of teens approaching. The speaker was a tall, red-haired gangly kid wearing a Jareth t-shirt. Instinctively, I moved to block his view, but as usual, Jareth wouldn’t cooperate.
    A long, loud moan escaped his lips, and he sat up abruptly, knocking his sunglasses off.
    It only took about two seconds for the awed teen to recognize him. “Isn’t that Jareth?” he gasped.
    “That’s Jareth!” a girl in his group squealed.
    Enthusiastically, they ran towards us as Jareth raised a bewildered brow and scowled.
    Rising smoothly to his feet, Rafael attempted to intercept the onrushing teens. “He’s fine. There's no need for concern,” he assured with a polite smile.
    But they didn't get the hint. An excited hubbub of voices rippled through the burgeoning crowd as more people poured in from the surrounding stores.
    “Look! It’s Jareth!”
    “It’s really Jareth!”
    There were even critics. “Typical druggie rock star!” someone snapped.
    If I hadn’t been preoccupied with thoughts of Mesmers