Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks Read Free Book Online

consumed with it. This had the power to break him as nothing else. That she’d sacrificed so much for him was unfathomable.
    He stroked her hair, not wanting to touch any other part of her for fear of hurting the wounds. His wounds. The knot in his throat threatened to choke him.
    You don’t need to be so horrified. Her voice was shaky but there was a thread of steel infused into her words. It isn’t as bad as you think. The pain is already receding. The wounds will disappear soon.
    How could she be so calm about it? She’d just had a knife taken to her body because she was protecting him. Who the hell did that for someone they didn’t even know?
    You shouldn’t have interfered , he said fiercely.
    She smiled and put her small hand to his chest. You have to be strong if you’re going to escape. I’m going to keep you strong. There’s nothing you can say to change my mind.
    I’ll never be able to repay what you’ve done.
    You going back home to your family is payment enough.
    Are you feeling better yet? He couldn’t keep the anxious note from creeping into his voice. Her pain was still very much present in his consciousness but it seemed more distant. He didn’t know if it was because he wanted so much for it to be gone or if she was in fact recovering.
    I’m better. I told you it wouldn’t last long. I’ll be weak for a bit, but it’s nothing for you to worry about. I want you to concentrate on getting stronger so you can escape.
    You’re a bossy little thing.
    She smiled again. My sister says the same thing.
    As soon as the mention of her sister echoed through his mind, sadness came right behind.
    Where is your sister? Are you both in trouble?
    Again he sensed her withdrawal. It frustrated him that she was so tight lipped about whatever difficulties she was having. She was very alone. He sensed her loneliness—and her fear. He wasn’t mistaken about that. He should be helping her but instead he was stuck in this hellhole with her taking the brunt of his torture.
    She’s safe, Shea finally said. We can’t be together right now, but she’s safe and that’s all that matters.
    And are you safe? Are you taken care of? Or are you completely on your own with no protection and no help?
    I’m doing what I have to do.
    And what is that, Shea? Talk to me. What are you running from? Why are neither you nor your sister safe? Damn it, I can help you just like you’re helping me.
    Your family’s focus has to be on helping you. They can’t help me. I can’t afford to trust anyone. I don’t even know for sure who is after me and my sister.
    Nathan blew out his breath. His helplessness was pissing him off. It was obvious that she absolutely believed she was in danger, and it infuriated him that she was helping him, which made her even more vulnerable.
    You seem to be focused on protecting an awful lot of people, Shea. Me, your sister. What about you?
    I’m only doing what needs to be done. Grace is special. I can’t allow her to be exploited.
    Does she have your abilities? Is that why people are looking for you?
    He latched on to the implication in her statement and felt her immediate regret that she’d been too careless with information.
    She can do far more than I can.
    Shea went silent after that announcement, refusing to offer more.
    More than Shea could do? Nathan couldn’t imagine anyone being able to do more than Shea had done for him. She was able to talk to him, touch him, take his pain, bear his torture for him. What the hell else was there?
    But he sensed the truth in Shea’s words. Whether her sister could do more or not, Shea believed it. She grew fiercer when she thought of Grace, and Nathan had already learned that Shea was nothing if not intensely loyal to the people she chose to protect.
    Are you still bleeding?
    She stirred and then shook her head. No. The marks are disappearing. It doesn’t hurt much anymore.
    You should rest.
    As should you. Whether you feel the pain or not, they made