OnsetofDanger Read Online Free Page B

door. “Anyone in or out?”
    “No.” The other guard sounded insulted by the possibility.
“It’s been quiet since I got here. I don’t think Eloise is even awake yet.”
    “Well, if the Vladya bitch wakes up now, she’ll have to wait
until Desmond gets his rocks off. Farren might be a cruel prick but he keeps
his word.”
    Caresse cringed at the crude exchange. Farren, primary
spokesman for the Brethren, had promised Desmond one hour with her each day
during the interrogation and a full night together as soon as he found out what
the Brethren needed to know.
    Her escort deactivated the shield then unlocked the door.
“Your hour starts now, so use it wisely.” Rather than open the door, he swept
his hand toward the threshold then stepped aside.
    Thrilled to be alone with her mate, even if it was only for
an hour, she flung the door open and rushed inside. Desmond spun toward her,
but his tormented expression brought her up short.
    What’s the matter? She carefully shielded the
question and slipped it across their private link as she shut the door. Some of
the Levari Brethren could sense telepathic communication but none could
penetrate their telepathic connection.
    She’s gone. He sounded horrified.
    Who is gone? Surely he didn’t mean—
    Eloise. The Vladya captive.
    More confused than concerned, she moved closer to Desmond. How
did she escape? Didn’t they give her the paralytic?
    I have no idea how she escaped, all I know is she did. I
went to get her a glass of water and when I returned the room was empty.
    The guard indicated that no one had been in or out, so how
had she done it? Only Strigo hosts could teleport and the cabin was sealed.
Even if Eloise had been able to turn to mist, she couldn’t have gotten out.
    Weren’t her symbionts neutralized?
    Yes. He raked his hair with his hand and began to
pace the length of the rustic living room. I watched them inject her. There
is no way she did this without help.
    But who could have helped her? No one knew where she was.
    I don’t know!
    Her questions were obviously upsetting him, so she changed
tactics. She crossed to the sofa and sat. They’d pretend nothing was wrong
while they gathered information. “Come, love. Sit down. We only have an hour
before they take me away again.”
    He glanced at the door, obviously understanding her ploy,
then joined her on the sofa. “I’m too wound up to be good company right now.
I’ve got all our hopes pinned on that woman.”
    “If anyone can make her talk, it’s you.” She snuggled up
close to him and put her head on his shoulder. “I can never keep secrets from
you. You’re too damn adorable.”
    He snorted. “I don’t think my adorability is why Farren is
letting me do this.”
    “Probably not.” More than likely the guards were listening
to every word, so long periods of silence would be suspicious. “I don’t want to
talk about Eloise. We only have an hour. Let’s not waste it.”
    His arms came around her and dragged her onto his lap. Her
lips were parted and eager as he sealed her mouth with his. We can’t play
this game indefinitely. We’re just postponing the inevitable.
    With his warm arms around her and his taste in her mouth,
she didn’t really care. Being away from him was torture and their prospects
were looking bleaker with each hour that passed. Surrendering to the Brethren
wasn’t an option for either of them. They had both endured too much in their pasts
to tolerate subjugation. Still, they hadn’t figured out how to completely
escape the Brethren’s controlling pull and it grew stronger every day.
    The guards think she’s still asleep. That buys us a
little time. Were you able to sense anything in the room, a psychic trail or
energy resonance?
    Desmond released her mouth and shook his head. Nothing.
She’s just gone. “We have an audience.” He lifted her as she bent her
knees. Then she settled astride his lap. He quickly unbuttoned her blouse and
unfastened her bra. With