Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks Read Free Book Online Page B

me.”

    Her heart swelled at his compliment, although she knew she had fallen short. “I‟m not very good at following orders, not when they don‟t make sense to me.”

    He nodded slowly. “I understand.”

    She had a feeling he really did understand. She was sorely tempted to touch him once again, but winced when she felt something wet trickle down her back.

    His nostrils flared. “Ye‟re bleeding again. I know a doctor in Houston who can sew up yer wounds.”

    Sew her wing joints shut? Her eyes stung with tears. How could she do that? How could she give up what she was?

    But was she still an angel? She was disconnected from the Heavenly Host. She was no longer a Deliverer, for her touch had not killed Connor. Her body was now human, frail and sensitive, susceptible to injury and disease. She could actually die.

    A tear rolled down her cheek. She‟d lost more than heaven and her friends. She‟d lost her immortality.

    “Och, lass.” He touched her cheek, brushing away the tear with his thumb.

    Her skin tingled, and she marveled at the frisson of emotion that skittered through her.
    Such a strong reaction to such a light touch. It must be caused by the novelty of her new body.

    Or perhaps she was suffering from loneliness, cut off from the Heavenly Host. But when she looked into Connor‟s eyes, she knew it was more. She was drawn to this man. She wanted him to touch her. And she wanted to see more of his soul.

    She covered his hand with hers, holding it against her face. Perhaps all hope was not lost, for she still retained a little angelic power. Whenever she touched the dead or dying, their souls opened up to her like a book, and she could witness their entire life in an instant. With Connor, the skill was greatly diminished. He didn‟t die, but as long as she touched him, she could still catch a glimpse into his soul.

    And there it was, hidden far beneath his outer shield of honor and forbearance. A deep dark pit of despair and remorse. It was a painful place, too painful to visit with the suffering she was already experiencing.

    She released him. “I‟m sorry I‟m not a Healer.”

    “Aye,” he said gruffly. “ ‟Twould be good if ye could heal yerself.”

    “I was referring to you.” She touched his chest. “You‟re carrying a dark pain inside you.”

    “Nay.” He jumped to his feet and moved away from her, his face pale and rigid. “ ‟Tis yer wounds we must be looking after. I‟ll—” He stopped when a ringing sound emanated from the leather bag he wore in front of his kilt.

    “I need to take this.” He pulled a communication device from the bag and lifted it to his face. “Angus, how is Shanna?”

    He listened awhile, then an expression of relief swept over his face. He walked toward the back of the room. “I‟m at the hunting cabin.”

    He glanced back at Marielle. “I‟ll be just outside the door. Doona go anywhere. I‟ll be right back.” He opened a back door and stepped outside.

    She glimpsed a starry sky before he shut the door. Her gaze wandered to the front door that Connor had used earlier. If she went outside, she could call for help from the Healers. Her best friend, Buniel, was a Healer, and he was probably aware that she was missing from the Heavenly Host. He had to be worried about her.

    But Connor had told her to stay put. Another order that didn‟t make sense. If Buniel could help her, it was worth a try.

    She stood slowly, her body stiff and aching from her wounds. She wrapped the sheet around her, wincing as it touched her back. She slipped out the front door and gasped when she was enveloped with chilly night air. She‟d never felt the temperature before. She wrapped her arms around herself and shuddered. To her surprise, her breath frosted in the air.

    She crossed the wooden porch and descended the steps to the clearing in front of the cabin. The brown grass felt icy cold beneath her bare feet. No wonder humans were so fond of clothes and