Curse of Shadows and Light Read Online Free

overtakes me, and I roll over on my back on the soft grass and look up at the sky. I’m so grateful that Tatiana is still alive and hasn’t died a torturous death at the hands of Light-angels, I can’t even feel rage anymore. But I won’t forget what this woman put us through, test or no test. This is not something I will soon forgive—I don’t care whose sister she is.
    “ I know you are angry, but it needed to be done. I needed to know what I was dealing with here.” Anastasia sits down on the bench and sighs as she casts another wary gaze my way. “We’ve been tricked and hurt by demons before. I know Tatiana thinks you are different, but I had to see for myself.”
    “ I can’t believe we came all this way for nothing,” I mutter. “We should’ve just stayed in Dove Creek.”
    Anastasia studies me carefully. “I can offer you sanctuary,” she says finally. “You and your friends will be safe on my lands as long as you follow my rules and obey my wishes. But if you give me any trouble, you’re gone.”
    “ Why would you let us stay?”
    She’s quiet for a long time, and I’m starting to think she doesn’t really know the answer.
    “ Because I love my sister,” she finally replies, subdued. “And she loves you, for whatever twisted reason. She and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye about a lot of things, especially when it comes to our magics. But I do respect her and will honor her request to provide you with my help. But I had to prove it to myself that you were worthy first.”
    A sarcastic chuckle escapes my throat. “And scaring me to death was the only way to do that?”
    “ I am sorry I hurt you. But yes, it was the only way. Had you felt no pain or suffering or guilt, I would have known that your love was simply pretense, and that you were a soulless monster with no conscience. Because believe me when I say I’ve encountered plenty of those, and they’re usually hidden behind the biggest, brightest smiles. But what I felt from you, as well as Liora, was genuine… deep. I felt how much the thought of losing Tatiana devastated you both. That sort of love cannot be faked.”
    I sit up and rest my chin on my knees as I look around again. The sun has long since set, but the brilliantly lit mansion and the hundreds of tiny white lanterns placed around the gardens give a warm, almost ethereal glow. I have to admit, as far as hideouts go this one isn’t half-bad. Even if it does come with a crazy witch bitch.
    “ How do you know we’ll be safe?” I ask.
    She raises a haughty eyebrow. “How strong are you right now?”
    “ Like my muscles have been replaced with spaghetti and I’m too exhausted to even sleep.”
    She smiles. “My lands are heavily enchanted to ward against supernatural beings of all kinds. I’m well aware of your issues with both the Light and Dark angels. Neither have any powers here, as you yourself can see.”
    “ How are you doing this?”
    She laughs, and even I know how utterly stupid my question is. Contrary to popular belief, many human witches are more powerful than most demons, as their powers are wide-ranging and always growing. Demons on the other hand, are born with a limited, specific set of abilities. The only real difference between a human witch and a demon is the witch is a mortal being, while the demon is not. But the advantage ends there. In a cage match between a witch and a demon, my money would go on the witch every time.
    “ I can barely move, yet you expect us to live here?”
    “ I will reduce the charm. I had to turn it to maximum efficiency until I knew exactly what I was dealing with. And I still need to check out your partner, although he concerns me less.”
    “ Why?”
    “ Because he is a regular demion. He is always who he is, a blend of human and demon. But with your curse, you become more potent. You gather all your demon qualities at once, and that makes you highly volatile and unpredictable… and unusual.”
    Just what I need,