Fire Kin Read Online Free Page A

through solid wood and metal. I hoped she would, if only to see Ash’s face when she did so. But no, the dead spot she left in my senses stayed right where it was. That dead spot was, of course, the reason that my kind didn’t like hers, even if wraiths were technically
hai-salai
, half-breeds. Born of Fae women. Our lore said they were soulless, based on the fact that we couldn’t sense their connection to the earth as we could every other living thing. Even the Blood showed themselves to our senses, though they felt faded and tenuous and could almost disappear completely if they were using their powers of deception and camouflage.
    But the guards outside apparently didn’t want to risk the wrath of a wraith. The door creaked open and Lily stepped through, a scowl drawing her red eyebrows down over pale gray eyes. She scanned the room, hands resting on the daggers she wore at each hip. When she spotted Simon sitting near Guy, her face relaxed a little. Only a little. She still directed a glare at Guy as she walked around the table.
    â€œI take it my invitation was lost?” she said as she joined Simon. He smiled at her—his eyes a brighter blue than Guy’s icy ones—looking suddenly relaxed. Summer and Winter, some of the Fae called the DuCaine brothers. Simon’s hair was a more golden blond than his brother’s and his eyes were warmer, yes, but he was just as fierce as Guy when he needed to be. Like now, when he was being glared at by a wraith, which was enough to make most men—human or not—quail.
    I couldn’t blame Lily for feeling irritated. She had earned the right to sit in our councils. Earned it with blood and heartache.
    â€œI take it mine was too,” another female voice came from the open door, and all of us not facing it turned again.
    Adeline Louis, leader of those of the Blood who had broken from Ignatius and sought Haven amongst the humans, stood framed in the doorway, her pale skin gleaming against the black satin dress that clung to her body like a glove. She had taken to dressing somewhat provocatively since she came to the Brother House—Veil knew where she was getting the dresses—as though she wanted to make the knights—and everyone else—uncomfortable. Maybe she did. The Blood play at intrigue almost as relentlessly as the Veiled Court do.
    â€œLady Adeline.” Father Cho rose courteously. “I did not think you would be abroad so early.”
    That was somewhat disingenuous of him. The older Blood do not have to sleep the sunlight hours away, and Adeline, while not as old as Lucius had been, had definitely seen a century or two.
    â€œWell, I am here now,” she said. Nice of her. She could’ve made a scene if she’d chosen but instead was behaving. Given the tenuous nature of her position and the alliance she had barely forged with the Templars, it was a sensible approach. Though, from the little I’d gleaned of her in the time I’d known her, I doubted she would remain sensible and accommodating if she was truly annoyed or truly determined to get something she wanted.
    As she moved into the room, Adeline’s gaze fell on Ash and she smiled, one eyebrow arching. “I seem to have missed out on the introductions.”
    â€œCaptain Asharic Pellar, ma’am,” Ash said with a slight bow. I had to give him credit; he hadn’t yet let any startlement he might be feeling at the presence of both a wraith and a Blood lord at the Brother House show.
    Adeline’s expression turned both amused and speculative. She slanted a glance at me and I stared back without letting my expression alter.
Veil’s bloody eyes
. Adeline was definitely old enough to know Ash’s history.
    â€œAsharic sa’Uriel’pellar?” she asked.
    Ash nodded, his expression turning faintly wary.
    â€œWell, well, well. How . . . interesting. Welcome home . . . Captain.” Her eyes