Timeless (Pandora Book 1) by Kali Argent Read Free Book Online Page B

barely heard Vane yelling her name. She continued to wield her makeshift weapon, swinging it until her muscles ached and her fingers cramped. And she didn’t stop swinging until strong arms encircled her waist and lifted her off her feet.
    “Stop, stop. It’s okay. You can stop.”
    Vane’s voice finally penetrated her panicked mind, and Charli stopped fighting, stopped struggling, and sagged against his chest as she gulped in deep breaths. “Is he dead? I think I killed him.”
    “Easy, calm down. You’re okay now.” In a strange turn of events, Vane began to laugh. “He’s not dead, but he probably wishes he was.”
    The intruder sprawled on his stomach across the tiles, unmoving but clearly breathing. “That’s not Don.”
    “No, prya , that’s not Don.” Vane rubbed his cheek against the top of her head and stroked her hair. “He’s a friend.”
    “And this is how you greet friends?” The newcomer groaned as he pushed himself into a sitting position. “Damn, female, I think my brain’s bleeding.”
    With another chuckle, Vane eased around Charli and sauntered over to assist the guy to his feet. “Do I have to remind you that you’re the one who came barging into a private residence? The lady had every right to defend herself against such savage behavior.”
    The newcomer brushed his long, ebony braid back from his shoulder and turned to face Charli with a bow. “He’s right. My apologies.”
    “Uh, hi.” Everything had happened so fast, and Charli was still trying to catch up, but she offered a little wave and a wobbly smile. “Sorry I broke your head.”
    Vane winked at her and slapped his friend on the shoulder, eliciting a wince and a quiet groan from the guy. “Charlotte Rousseau, this is my partner and my best friend, Lieutenant Xavian Tira.”
    Charli looked between the massive men in her kitchen while she willed her pulse to return to a less dangerous rhythm. Both men had to be over six and half feet tall, both dressed in identical uniforms of solid black with matching combat boots. Both had a set of daggers tucked into their belts and strange, glowing watches around their wrists. While Xavian appeared slightly taller with long, raven hair as opposed to Vane’s golden locks, they looked remarkably similar.
    “Is he an alien from the future, too?” she asked, tucking her hands under her arms to hide their trembling.
    “Yes,” Vane answered without a hint of sarcasm.
    Xavian arched an eyebrow at Vane and cleared his throat before shifting his attention to Charli. “And how is that working out for you?”
    “Well, I think you’re both crazy.” She winced when his eyes narrowed. While true, she hadn’t meant to say it aloud. “No disrespect. I mean, Vane said you’re a nice guy and all.”
    “No he didn’t.”
    Vane crossed his arms over his chest. “No, I didn’t.”
    “Okay, fine, he didn’t. He did say he’s here to protect me, and I guess that means you are, too. That much I believe.” She felt like she’d already had this conversation, and they still seemed to be talking in circles. “Not that I don’t think there’s other life out in the universe, you understand, but this is too much.” Pausing, she took a deep breath and looked to Vane. “But we’ve already discussed this.”
    Unblinking with his lips slightly parted, Xavian simply stared at her.
    “She talks when she’s nervous.” Vane nudged his partner with his elbow. “You’ll get used to it.”
    “Yeah.” Charli toyed with one of the rips in the thigh of her jeans and shrugged. “Sorry.”
    Laughing quietly, Xavian stepped forward with his hand outstretched. “I think I can understand how you’re feeling, and there’s no need to apologize. Vane is an ass. You’ll get used to it.”
    Oh, she liked him. “Spoken like a true friend.”
    Her gaze slid sideways, and she watched Vane as she placed her hand against Xavian’s upturned palm. The flare of his nostrils and the hard set of his jaw