The Shadow Stealer (Silver Moon Saga Book 3) by Melissa Giorgio Read Free Book Online

see if he actually listened to me, I turned around and went back into my toasty house. Rafe followed, and I swore he was chuckling, but when I looked at him, his face was blank. I shrugged out of Rafe’s jacket and handed it back to him, crossing my arms over my chest and tapping my foot against the floor as I waited for Evan to haul his ass inside.
    He came. Slowly, and with a pained look on his face, but he opened the door and stepped into the front room, so there was that, at least. I left the door unlocked, knowing Philip and Kain would show up soon.
    I studied him. While I’d expected Evan to be a hot mess, much like the night he’d betrayed us, with wild hair and bloodshot eyes, it actually seemed as if he’d made an effort to be presentable. His golden hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, there were no rips on his jeans that I could see, and his black shirt was even tucked into his pants. Whoa. Who was this person and what had he done with the real Evan?
    Unless… I fought against the urge to grin. Was he trying to impress Alexandra? No, it couldn’t be.
    Could it?
    Holy crap, I had to bite down hard on the inside of my cheeks to stop myself from laughing. This is serious, Gabi! Pull yourself together!
    Okay, deep breaths.
    After I’d successfully managed to control myself, I turned my attention back to the two boys. Rafe had become fascinated with a magazine on the table and was thumbing through the pages.
    Evan, meanwhile, stared at a spot on the wall. “So,” he said.
    “Actually, it’s good that you’re early,” I told him.
    Evan blinked. “It is?”
    “Yes, because now it gives you and Rafe a chance to talk.” I guided Rafe to the couch. “Sit.” Frowning, he sat. I fixed Evan with a look. “ Sit. Down. ”
    After a moment’s hesitation, he sat in the recliner adjacent to the couch. As I joined Rafe on the couch, I noticed that they still weren’t looking at one another.
    Or speaking. God, must I do everything ?
    “How have you been, Evan?” I asked. Rafe let out a snort and I glared at him. “ What ?”
    “Are we really doing this?” He returned my glare with a cool gaze of his own. “We’re just going to sit around and make small talk?”
    “I should have brought a platter of cheeses for us to snack on.” Evan looked like he regretted the words the moment they left his mouth, especially when Rafe started to rise.
    “Rafe—” I began.
    Rafe gestured toward Evan. “Clearly this is a joke to him, so why should I sit here and pretend like nothing’s wrong—”
    “It’s not,” Evan said quickly, standing as well. He held his hands out in front of him, motioning for Rafe to sit. When he didn’t, Evan added, “It’s not a joke. You’re right. I don’t know why I said that. Probably because I’m nervous as hell.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Much to my relief, Rafe slowly sat back down next to me on the couch. “Why are you nervous?” he asked.
    “Because I came here expecting you to run me through with your sword,” Evan said. He went to comb a hand through his hair but jerked it away, as if he suddenly remembered he’d actually, you know, brushed it before coming here. “And you know what? I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I screwed everything up, and I deserve your anger.
    “But not,” he continued in a quiet voice, “your silence.”
    Rafe’s hands curled into fists. “I’m not going to scream at you, Evan.”
    “That’s not what I meant. I want you to talk to me. I haven’t seen you in two months—”
    “And whose fault is that?” Rafe demanded. “I came home from the hospital to find your stuff missing. Where are you staying, anyway?” I was glad he asked because I’d been wondering the same thing myself.
    Scratching the back of his neck, Evan looked wildly uncomfortable. “I have a place.”
    “Oh my god,” I said, watching as Evan fidgeted. Dread began pooling in my stomach. “You’re staying with a hooker, aren’t you?”
    “ What!” Evan