Oracle Rising Read Online Free Page A

had filled another first in her life—and it was the most important one.
    He was her lover.
    Avalon had been a virgin when he took her to bed. She’d been nervous as hell as she tried to seduce him, but Nate had been a gentleman. That day, he made it all about her, and she fell hopelessly in love.
    How could she not?
    Everything about him made her heart skip in her chest. She loved him and always would. There could be no man but him, and she was glad. Now she was simply waiting to see where their relationship went. They were sharing the cage, locked side by side, and Avalon couldn’t be happier.
    She didn't need to see his face to know how he looked at her. Just a few weeks ago, he’d suffered unspeakable torment, believing that she was dead, and now they were beginning their lives together.
    They were a team.
    And a damn good one.
    Elizabeth Blackhawk had gotten her out of the grasp of the government, and now she could use her gift of prophecy, sight, and mind to help those like her.
    There were so many out there, and she couldn’t help but want to assist them. They were destroyed, damaged, and afraid. Avalon had been them once, and she swore she’d help those who couldn’t help themselves.
    It was her vow.
    It was her promise to fate that if she got out, and could spend her life with Nathaniel Carter, she’d pay it forward. So, she was keeping her word.
    Avalon was grateful they weren’t alone in their mission. They had a circle of friends and family to call their own. Lucas Mars and his bride were very important to the team. They weren’t only madly in love, but recently married.
    Avalon secretly studied Maura Gaines-Mars, trying to emulate everything she did. She needed to learn how to be a woman. For so many years, she was simply a weapon. Truth be told, she had very few social skills. It wasn’t easy coming from the life she led into a brand new one.
    Each day was a learning experience, and she was trying to figure it all out. So, she picked a worthy role model. When her friend, and guardian, would tease her husband, Avalon would wonder what it would feel like to be claimed like that.
    She imagined it was wonderful.
    She’d hear them laughing, joking, and smiling, and she couldn’t help but be envious. What would it be like to have someone love you so much that they’d want you to be their wife? Avalon didn't know if she’d ever find out.
    Her heart skipped.
    God!
    She wanted Nate to propose in the worst way. She craved what her friend had found. It was something so miraculous to her, but Avalon wondered if it would ever happen.
    Yes, she could see the future, but there was nothing there to give her a clue. It looked like fate was screwing with her. Her future was a mystery.
    Why wasn’t she surprised?
    All Avalon knew was that while Maura and Luke were on their honeymoon, she missed them. Granted, they offered to skip it, but she couldn’t let that happen. Besides, they had Jagger as backup, and he was like a platoon of Marines.
    The man was always on alert.
    They weren’t even sure if a case was coming up. For the longest while, she wasn’t either. As the honeymoon was close to ending, Avalon knew that Nate was so much calmer. He was always worried about when they’d be called out.
    Well, it wasn’t like the FBI would be hand delivering a dossier with details of a case.
    She’d explained multiple times to him that when she knew, he’d know too. It wasn’t like she had a system. This was all new to her.
    Avalon could sense that he was getting antsy, so she opted to try and reach out into the unknown. As she sat on hers and Nate’s bed, she listened to the silence of the house. It helped her focus on what was out there in the world.
    She was like their beacon.
    Avalon lured the visions to her, hoping to find that one person who desperately needed their help. Each day she tried, and failed. For a while, she began wondering if she was losing her gift. Never before had she had this much trouble