The Seven: Four tales of passion, danger and love Read Online Free Page A

"So…?"
    Gabriel entered and she watched as he crossed the room to take a seat on a sofa adjacent to where she sat. Layla craned her neck and leaned to one side, trying to get a look at his back. He'd folded his wings and she wondered how they connected to his body. She bet he had to have his clothes custom made. And how did he manage to get a shirt on like the tight white t-shirt that clung to his muscular body?
    "I can stand if you prefer." His voice carried a hint of amusement.
    "Oh, sorry. I'm so sorry. I just … oh hell, I just was trying to figure out how you get into t-shirts and how your wings connect and—"
    "Would you like to see?"
    "Oh yes!"
    "So you're not interested in hearing about where you are." Augustus' voice pulled her back from the sudden tangent she'd embarked upon.
    "Sorry." She directed her apology to Gabriel rather than Augustus.
    "Later." His smile and the accompanying wink sent a fleeting feeling through her. Of being a kid and having a "thing" with a friend, something only the two of you shared. She wondered what caused her to feel that way and then reminded herself to pay attention to the matter at hand.
    She turned her attention to Augustus but refrained from making eye contact. She'd already figured out how detrimental to her mental processes that could be, not to mention the havoc it wrecked with her libido.
    Andre and Connor took seats but Augustus remained standing. "What do you know of the Preterhumans or The Seven?"
    "The what?"
    "Preterhumans or The Seven as is more commonly used."
    "Nothing." Layla could say that with complete honesty. "I mean, I heard you mention it when I awoke but I don't know who or what it is."
    Augustus cut a look at Gabriel. "Perhaps we should ask Severin, Darius, and Xavier to join?"
    Gabriel cocked his head to one side and then nodded. "Done."
    "Who are they?" Layla turned her attention away from the smiling Gabriel who gave her a wink. "Severin, Darius and Xavier? Are they the Seven?"
    August turned his attention to her once more. "When we decided to make our presence known publically, the governments of the world formed a Directorate to deal with … negotiations. As there are seven distinct races among us, we were labeled "The Seven," for brevity I suppose.
    "Hold on. Make your presence known? As in announcing that Vampires and Angels and…" She cut a look at Connor. "And whatever he is, are real?"
    "Yes. As I stated, our people are of seven races or clans of what humans call preternatural or preterhuman. I am Vampire, and before you ask, no I was never human. Yes, I can "make" a Vampire and yes, Vampires can breed. We are not "undead" and aside from a few who do not have the age or strength, we can withstand daylight."
    "So you just figured I'd ask that, huh?"
    "I've read your interviews and your blog. You are a most curious woman by nature."
    She shrugged. That much was true. "I'm sorry to interrupt. Please continue."
    "Along with my people, there are the Skinwalkers. They can transform from human to animal form. Connor is of the Skinwalkers and commands another of our conclaves in Colorado.
    "Gabriel, obviously, is of the Archangels. He commands our station in California. Andre is Wizard and is located in Seattle. Severin – ah there he is now." Augustus paused as three men entered the house.
    "You started without us?" A tall man with long dark hair and the blackest eyes Layla had ever seen, queried.
    "Severin, good of you to join. Layla, may I introduce Severin. Severin is in command of The Seven enclave in Chicago. He is Daemon."
    Layla nodded to Severin and noticed that he did not return the courtesy. Augustus gestured toward a blond haired man with the most curious lavender eyes. "This is Xavier, a Fae, and the Director of our conclave in Nashville. Darius…" He gestured to a strikingly handsome man with golden brown hair. "Is Changeling and commands from a center in Ontario.
    "I am in charge of The Seven here."
    "So who is in charge of the rest of