The Banshee's Revenge (The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

Toby. "Are you responsible for this man's death?"
    "No."
    "Is the one they call Jacqueline Huston responsible?"
    Toby hesitated.
    "Don’t lie to me," Morrigan warned. "I already know our newest little banshee is causing a great deal of problems. She has no control over her powers and no regard for the rules I laid out millennia ago for reapers of the Irish, Welsh, and Celtic clans. That is unacceptable. I can see by the misery in your eyes that she is indeed responsible for this wizard's demise, too."
    "What are you going to do?" Toby kept his voice respectful, but he worried over the goddess's answer. He knew all too well what happened to the last half banshee that tore up Europe .
    "Not that." Morrigan laughed softly. "Your thoughts are loud, wizard. Besides, there is no Box of Souls strong enough to hold Jacqueline now. She has consumed Death's spirit which gives her extra strength even though Jacqueline is not dead."
    "She isn't? I thought maybe Death's essence had destroyed her. She doesn't look…human anymore." Toby said.
    "Men are always swayed by the way a woman looks. Some things never change," Morrigan said, with a small smile. "And as for Jacqueline's current state of being, certain circumstances have come into play that keeps her alive."
    "What do you mean?"
    Morrigan gave him a speculative stare.
    "Rise, Toby. You may walk with me." She turned and delicately stepped over Foster's body. Toby had no choice but to follow her along the river bank. "Jacqueline still holds a piece of humanity inside her."
    "So she could be saved?"
    "I doubt it. But as they say, anything is possible. This piece of humanity won't stay with her for long if things don't change."
    "How can I help her?"
    Morrigan stretched out her hand and touched the branch of a low hanging tree. Instantly, a small white flower blossomed, giving off a sweet smell.
    "Humanity is so fragile," she said, stopping to look at the flower. "Humans are always doing things to harm one another. It's a shame really."
    "Some humans are interested in helping their fellow man."
    "Are you one of those humans?"
    "I like to think so."
    Morrigan continued walking and Toby noticed all around them plants were blossoming and blooming.
    "Tell me what you want most in this world, Toby." Morrigan stopped and gracefully stooped down, running her hand in the water. "What is your desire?"
    "Jacqueline."
    "And is that all?"
    "I want her to be happy."
    "Such simple needs," Morrigan laughed softly. "You are an interesting man, capable of creating unique offspring."
    "You mean Gabe?" Toby shrugged. "I didn't really think about creating something unique. I was just in love with Gabriella."
    "Something special is in your genes or in your DNA, as the ones you call scientists say." Morrigan stood up and faced him. "I will help you with what you desire, but it will come at a price."
    "Doesn't everything?" Toby couldn't quite keep the sarcasm from his voice. "What is it?"
    "In order to help Jacqueline retain her humanity and become controllable, you must help her hold on to the last shred of humanity, that last spark keeping her alive," Morrigan said.
    "Tell me how?"
    The goddess smiled.
    "You must help her keep the baby growing within her alive."

Chapter 3
     
    "Gabe Williams, you are a terrible flirt."
    Gabe smiled at Angela though inwardly he flinched at the use of the last name. It sounded foreign to him, as if she addressed someone other than himself.
    It was definitely not the name he'd grown up with.
    However, Gabe didn't like to explain the gory details of his past--especially with women. Angela might be a total babe with a great rack, but that didn't mean he was ready to trust her with the most intimate details of his life.
    Yet, he couldn't deny that he was interested in her. Or that he thought about her almost all the time. Or that he'd already had several dreams involving her naked body in his bed.
    "I'd say I'm a pretty good flirt," he teased. "I've got six different cell numbers