Whispers of Darkness (The Deadwood Hunter Series) by Rachel M Raithby Read Free Book Online Page A

it some more. Here,” she threw the curling iron at Lexia. “You start that while I finish my makeup then I’ll do the back for you.”
    Lexia stood in front of the mirror, hot curling iron in her hand and she couldn’t stop smiling. It was silly, really, being so happy over such little things like doing her hair and having Alice next to her applying makeup. Such mundane things and yet Lexia had missed them so much; she guessed you never really appreciated the little things in life until they were taken away from you.
    “Tell me you’re putting makeup on,” Alice asked.
    “Yes, no need for a lecture,” she answered, sticking out her tongue.
    “Well you haven’t worn any since I’ve been here. I know you’re all mated and shit but no need to let yourself go!”
    “Oi! Cheeky bitch” Lexia said with a giggle hitting Alice in the shoulder. “I don’t have any makeup, it has nothing to do with being with Linc.”
    She rubbed her shoulder. “That freaking hurt, Lex, and why didn’t you have one of them get you some?”
    “Because I was too busy worrying about Hunters than what my face looked like.”
    “Well, here, use mine and no Hunter talk. Today is a Hunter-free day.”
    “Sounds like my kinda day. Here, do the back will you?” Lexia handed over the curling iron and set to work on her makeup.
    “Jeez, Lex, we should have taken you to a hair salon! You have so many split ends.”
    “Could you have imagined walking into a hair dresser with those three? They’d have tackled the poor hair dresser to the floor when she reached for the scissors!”
    The girls burst into a fit of laughter again and then heard Lincoln shout up the stairs.
    “Are you two getting ready or just rolling about laughing? Five minutes and we need to go!”
    “Yes, boss!” they both shouted together and started to laugh again.
     

     
    Lincoln walked back into the kitchen as there was a bang on the ceiling and another round of laughter; he couldn’t help smiling and shook his head.
    “What are they doing up there?” Caden asked him.
    “No idea but it’s nice to hear her laugh again.”
    “Yeah, it sure is,” Caden smiled.
    “To be honest, Alice never shuts up but she wasn’t happy. I think you’re going to have a hard time splitting those two up,” Tate commented.
    “Lexia might be all laughing and joking now but by tomorrow the smile will have left her face and she’ll be back to worrying about everyone, ”Lincoln commented.
    “She takes too much weight on her shoulders,” Caden said the happiness leaving his voice.
    “If only there was an easy way to wipe those bastard Hunters off the face of this planet,” Lincoln said through gritted teeth; his beast within stirred and for a second he thought he might lose control.
    Caden clamped his hand on his shoulder. “Hey mate, just chill okay? Breathe, Linc, you can’t help her like this.”
    Lincoln let out his breath and forced the cat deep within himself, he needed to get out of the house and up into the hills. He needed to be a panther.
    “You alright?” Tate asked Lincoln.
    “Yeah,” he answered, walking away.
    “This is the longest he’s ever been without shifting,” Caden explained.
    “Wow, shit, really? Will you be okay tonight?” Tate asked.
    Lincoln stiffened his shoulders but didn’t turn to look at them when he answered, “I’m fine. Cade likes to exaggerate, is all.”
    Before Caden could say another word, the kitchen door opened and Lincoln turned around to say ‘finally’ but his voice caught in his throat as his eyes caught sight of Lexia’s bare back. She turned, looking for him, and then smiled the widest smile he’d seen in a long time.
    He couldn’t contain himself any longer, his panther flashed into his eyes and he took three long strides to close the distance between them. Her eyes widened but her smile never dropped and he took her into his arms.
    Lexia froze as her panther stalked towards her. She wasn’t sure if he was