The Uninvited (The Julianna Rae Chronicles Book 1) by Aral Bereux Read Free Book Online Page B

knickers, tying the draw cord close to her tiny waist.
    ‘Shoulder looks banged up.’ He sat the bottle on the counter sprawled with makeup and jewelry, and slipped the lace sleeve from her shoulder. It moved easily and he cupped his hand over the burn. ‘Easy now,’ he hushed, and pulled her close when she flinched. ‘I’ll be gentle.’
    She clutched her hair over her shoulder, needing something to hold onto. The sensation stretching from his hands to the wound made her whimper. Her eyes squeezed shut and she held her breath, counting the seconds until the pain moved away. She waited for it to disappear, his healing as agonizing as the laser’s delivery. Her body trembled under his touch and her eyes flashed open, looking over her shoulder, begging him to stop.
    ‘You know Isis sent me? He’s worried you’ve become reckless,’ he said quietly. He took his hands away and leaned against the counter, swiping up the drink and lighting another cigarette.
    The mirror reflected her perfectly healed shoulder. Julianna reached for her sweater and pulled it over her head. The warmth of its fleece against her skin soothed her; the static electricity it brought to her hair didn’t. She slipped her mask away to wipe at the sweat lying softly under it, catching his attention with her big green eyes. His reflection in the mirror stared before breaking his awkward glance to take the last mouthful of beer.
    ‘Reckless?’ She smoothed the top of her hair in the mirror. Her image paled despite his presence. ‘He usually calls it irresponsible or thoughtless.’
    He shrugged. ‘In the neighborhood, anyway. Don’t get pissy with me.’
    ‘So he’s angry again?’
    Caden placed his cigarette between his lips and when he exhaled the smoke a seriousness moved across his face like a storm, in the mirror. He nodded. The dimly lit room matched his temperament perfectly.
    ‘You have no idea,’ he stated thinly.
    ‘No idea? Did he pace and straighten his tie?’ The humor made him smile. ‘I think I have an idea of Issy’s tantrums.’
    ‘Three patrols chased you today—’
    ‘You know about today, you and Issy must be close.’
    He scowled. ‘Yesterday you narrowly escaped another, and the day before, Isis tells me, busted ribs that needed healing by two watchers. Not one – two. You didn’t get your fill of excitement at the camp?’ He was back to his pout.
    A smirk crept over her face. ‘It’s been a busy week, I agree. So what’s the deal-i-o?’
    His attention stole to a bag of white powder resting against the dressing room mirror. ‘He’s worried you have the taste for blood.’ His finger cut a line through the spilt powder and journeyed to the tip of his tongue. His furrowed brow creased some more. ‘Isis know you do this junk?’
    ‘He wouldn’t because I don’t,’ she said firmly.
    Caden shrugged; he believed.
    ‘Taste for what blood? He thinks I’m that reckless?’
    ‘It’s a lot safer at my camp in-country. You may need the quiet soon.’ His glance lingered on her neck, swept down to her toes before returning to her face. His gaze pulled her into his mind as he took her in with all senses, finishing with the smell of her sweat mixed in with the exotic perfume she wore for all performances. She listened to his mind spinning. This wasn’t part of his promise. ‘I suspect you don’t quite know what I’m talking about yet.’
    A worn chair propped against the wall. Julianna sat on its dilapidation to give Caden her full attention. The clutter of her bag and stage props threatened to topple if she leaned any farther. She reached her hand to steady the mess, returning it against the wall, and it gave some time away from his gaze. He was reading her again. She felt his invasion flooding through her. She hadn’t experienced such a focused intrusion since their first encounter. Blocking him triggered one of her dull headaches in the center of her temples. It was easier to lower her guard and hear