Blood Twist (The Erris Coven Series) Read Online Free Page B

Braden’s damphyr senses were alive. His vision dr ank in the beauty of the foliage, fabrics, and flowers that created the backyard’s palette . The rhythm of voices mingled with the life of the forest behind them, producing a son g only his kind could hear . He breathed in the rich aromas a round him, absorbing the fragrances of the gardens, bountiful food platters, an d Liz’s sweet fragrance .
    With the magic of her bond to Torin, Lex ie no longer had the same aroma as her s ister and friend . Instead, the petite brunette smelled lik e family . Liz , how ever, had a savory scent and it wasn’t just her vanilla infused perfume. Her scent was alluring and when it carried on the breeze, he relished in it as it passed.
    Liz was speaking animatedly to Lexie at the end of the long banquet table. With her varied facial expressions and active body language, he had never encountered a being with so much spunk.
    It must be exhausting .
    Her pale skin stood in contrast to the raven hair that fell in cascad es down her shoulders. Even from a distance, her gentle bone structure made a lovely profile. Her face was almost pixie like with her sma ll nose and dimpled chin . In Ireland, one would wonder if she belonged to the gentle pe ople, until she spoke .
    It wasn’t that her voice was horrible ; on the contrary, it had a pleasing quality . But Braden wasn’t accustomed to the forceful manner in which Liz expressed herself.
    She speaks first, thinks later.
    First , she i nsisted in front of Lexie and Torin that she would accompany him to locate the cure when she first arrived in Erris . Then last night, she did it again when he was talking to Teagan on the patio. Both times, she didn’t ask him if he wanted her company, she just stared at him adamantly with her lash swept hazel eyes. When Liz looked at him like that, his mind blanked until he forgo t what he was supposed to say. 
    The teen was beautiful, but she bewildered and frustrated him. He knew her intentions were good , but there was no way she could go with him without discovering what had to be done . She would be put in danger and that was one thing he didn’t want on conscious.
    As it was, he made a deal to appear alone without another damphyr if he wanted to be given the cure. He just hoped they would make good on their promise to deliver the antidote before ending his life .
    Braden tried to keep a calm expression despite feeling the constant pull of anxiety. What he wa nted to do was take a long run in the woods around Eagle Lake . Maybe even clear his thoughts and have one last hunt.  Instead , he forced a smile while standing around like it was any other September day in Maine.
    “I see you’re not watching Liz again,” Torin said.
    Braden looked away from her and back to his cousins. They were all smirking at his expense.
    Teagan sat balancing his chair precariously on two hind legs, his face bright with amusement. “You need to practi ce being a bit smoother with that one . She’ll chew you up and spit you out.”
    Braden shrugged off his friends, “I’m not checking her out.”
    “You’ve been caught bro. Take it like a man,” Cian added, giving Braden a playful punch in the shoulder.
    “You’re a bunch of girls. You know that, don’t you?” his face was reddening.
    Teag an peer ed at him from over his cheeseburger , “I think you know she’ll just want me anyway, so you’re sparing yourself the heartache.” He to ok a dramatic bite of his sandwich , and chomped loudly .
    “Now you’ve done it,” Torin said grinning. “They’re heading over.”
    As Liz and Lexie approached, Braden shoved his hands in his pockets, in a vain attempt to appear aloof. If he admired Liz’s beauty now, it would give his cousins more ammunition for torturing him. He knew they loved harassing him, but he didn’t have the heart for it today.
    Lexie automatically went to Torin’s outstretched arms . She hobbled in her walking cast, but it didn’t prevent her