Timeless Moon by C. T. Adams, Cathy Clamp Read Free Book Online Page A

forgotten about his empathi c ability and when she noticed, she calmed herself quickly. "I'm so very sorry, Rick. I know better than to blast emotions at you. But it's been a somewhat … stressful few days." She shook her head and her expression sobered. Rick could feel the stab of anger mingled with regret that passed through her.
    When Amber turned to her husband, her face was calm. "Fiona and I haven't spoken more than three words in years. I won't tell her, if that's what you're worried about. But she wouldn't do … this. Wolven isn't just her job, it's her life. She breathes law enforcement. She wouldn't be involved in something so hideous."
    "Then she won't have anything to worry about." Charles's words were reassuring, but his tone wasn't. He turned to face Lucas. "You know what you have to do."
    The old wolf stank so much like wet, burning coffee that Rick looked to the kitchen to check if he'd forgotten to turn off the stove. But no, it was just anger, laden with regret.
    "This is going to be a fucking nightmare." Lucas didn't move from his post, leaning against the far wall. He continued staring out the window, his entire posture rigid with barely controlled fury. Watching him, Rick realized that not all of the wood smoke was coming from the fireplace. The log walls would probably be permanently scorched, and there would be a definite handprint burned into the windowsill.
    Still, Lucas managed to keep his voice even when he continued. "But first things first. We need someone Aspen trusts to find her and bring her in to deal with the seers issue. Rick, will you do it?"
    This was exactly what he'd been afraid of. This tag team of the most powerful Sazi was intended to use him to manipulate and control Josette. They just expected Rick to play along. That pissed him off enough that he decided to give the other man a little taste of what he was feeling. He let down some of his controls, so the whole room —and probably Bruce beyond them—would know exactly what he thought of the idea. Amber began to move uncomfortably in her seat and even Charles took a sharp breath.
    "Josette is perfectly capable of taking care of herself, and you know it." Rick felt a high-pitched feline snarl rise into his throat. "And despite what Antoine says, she's not insane, and she's absolutely trustworthy." Rick lowered his shields, watching as Lucas fought to control a rage that wasn't his own, though it felt exactly as if it were. "I swear I could gut her idiot brother for spreading that rumor! She is absolutely coherent in whatever time she's in. It isn't her fault she's existing in the past, present, and future at the same time. You have no fucking clue the kind of pain she's gone through trying to bring her gifts under control. You want her back —but not because you're worried. Because you want to use her. Like you'll use me. Like you use everybody."
    Lucas made a low sound deep in his chest that would cause most lesser Sazi to grovel at his feet, and power crackled around him as he stalked forward, enough to make the lamp flicker. Human lips pulled back from his teeth in a very inhuman gesture, and the air suddenly reeked of anger, power, and fear. "You have no concept of what is at stake here. How dare you think you can stand in judgment of us when you don't have a goddamn clue what's been going on. You've wrapped yourself up in your warm little cocoon, leaving the dirty work for everybody else and now you think you have the right to act superior?"
    Rick snarled and swatted at the stinging cloud of magic that Lucas attempted to throw around him. His own power flared with an electric heat as the last of his shields crumbled. The barriers between them melted. Rick felt Lucas's rage, but also h is guilt at the truth of the accusation, and the fear of some shadowy, overwhelming … something he knew was about to descend but couldn't quite put a finger to.
    It wasn't until Amber spoke, her voice filled with wonder and sadness, that