Raven Investigation 04 - Electric Legend Read Online Free

was behind them, she would’ve
never found it. The spooky silence plucked her nerves.
    “You don’t need to worry.” Taggert studied their
surroundings, avoiding looking at her directly, taking his duty to guard her
seriously.
    Raven stiffened, and her hackles rose. “I don’t like leaving
them behind.”
    “Understandable.” Taggert wandered closer as if to offer
comfort, but refrained from actually touching her … as if afraid. Heat flushed
her face, and she ducked, hurt that he considered her a monster to be feared.
    Not that she could blame him. She had nearly killed
him.
    And as much as she wanted to protest, she couldn’t say it
wouldn’t happen again.
    No one was safe around her until she learned her limits.
    The dragon wrapped around her, almost like a hug, trying to
reassure her that they wouldn’t let anything happen to the pack, but Raven
wasn’t convinced.
    And until she knew for sure, she needed to maintain her
distance.
    Taggert glanced at her when she didn’t reply. “I meant that
you have nothing to worry about with the circus.”
    “You sound really sure.” Raven reserved her judgment,
surveying the forest for any sign of threats. There was no thicket to struggle
through, no lower branches to impede their way. The place was eerie, almost
groomed. They were basically sitting targets, easily tracked and hunted from
miles away. Fear prickled along her spine, a gut-wrenching terror that gripped
her in its claws and refused to release her.
    They were being watched.
    She resisted the urge to whirl and hunt for the threat.
    The dragon hunkered down, more curious than alarmed.
    It wanted to hunt and explore the forest, dodge the trees
and taste the freedom that stood just out of reach. The craving grew until her
hands shook, and she almost gave into the impulse.
    A glow on the horizon grew brighter through the tree line,
and she knew they were getting closer to civilization. Her feet picked up speed,
practically running from the temptation of getting lost in the woods and never
returning.
    When Taggert grabbed her hand and pried open her fist, she nearly
tripped over her own feet.
    “Don’t.” She yanked away from his touch, only to have him
tighten his grip, stubbornly refusing her.
    Emotions dropped from his face, and she knew her rejection
had she’d hurt him.
    They broke through to a clearing seconds later and
encountered a sea of cars. His lips flattened, and his chin rose in defiance as
he nodded to a couple that stood off to the side … holding hands. “We should
blend with the crowd.”
    Even knowing she shouldn’t, Raven gave in to his poor
justification. Pack craved touch. To refuse was a punishment. He’s been through
too much in the last few weeks for her to deny him this small thing, not when his
very touch made her pulse pick up speed. She brushed her thumb over his wrist,
marveling at the texture of his skin. She’d been denied such intimate contact
with others for most of her life in fear that she’d kill them with her touch.
Her pack taught her another way of life, and she refused to give up this small
gift he was giving her.
    “Tell me what to expect from the circus.”
    He was so slow to answer that she sneaked a peek at him from
the corner of her eyes, wondering if he’d changed his mind. He was more
volatile since she’d brought him back from the brink of death. Much more alpha.
He wouldn’t be pushed around without retaliating.
    And deep down, it thrilled her to know that he could defend
himself, even from her if necessary. The creature hummed in agreement, enjoying
the challenge, and Raven had to shake off that thought.
    A group of girls piled out of a car near the entrance of the
circus. One of the girls caught sight of them—or more precisely, locked eyes on
Taggert. The young thing smiled, an inviting blush on her cheeks as she scanned
Taggert from head to foot.
    Raven narrowed her eyes, feeling talons rake across the
undersides of her ribs, the dragon