The Travelers: Book Two Read Online Free Page A

figure this out?” Gemma taunted.
    “She’s a teacher, she has the stickers to make good on that threat,” Carson teased.
    Gemma rolled her eyes.
    “So, Preston got access to their database when he built the app?”
    “Exactly, and he left himself a back door. I’m not sure how he narrows them down beyond that.”
    Alina drew her entire bottom lip into her mouth.
    “They talked about building a program… a computer program that could find people the way I could. He’s always trying to force magic into technology. They don’t mix well, though. I don’t think they ever finished it.”
    “Maybe they made enough progress to make it usable,” Ty suggested.
    “And without Alina to pinpoint the targets, he’s having to guess at who to take. That makes him even more dangerous,” said Carson.
    “Do you think you would be able to find those people still?” he asked her.
    She shook her head, “I’ve never really been able to control my abilities. P-p-preston was able to focus it, but it was very painful.”
    Desmond’s arm draped around her again. She tried not to flinch this time.
    “That’s okay. We’ll just have to play offense,” he said.
    “Easier said than done,” said Ty.
    “We can do it though, patrol around town,” Trick said.
    “But we won’t be able to cover everything at once,” Carson replied.
    “Something is better than nothing, though,” Gemma said, her gaze still locked on Alina and Desmond.
    “That’s true,” said Carson, “and I’ll be most effective as the wolf.”
    Gemma whipped her head to face him, her hair flying in the process, “But…”
    “I promised I would always tell you, I didn’t promise I wouldn’t do it anymore,” he said, interrupting her objection.
    “I don’t like it,” she said, “the others can’t even see the shadows, how are they going to help you?”
    “I… uh… I think that might be different now,” Alina offered, “If P-p-preston is getting stronger, that means the shadows are, too.”
    Gemma frowned; wasn’t Alina supposed to be on her side? What ever happened to girls sticking together?
    “Okay… but that’s still not a guarantee. What if something happens and I have to pull you back?” Gemma asked with tears welling in her big brown eyes.
    Carson’s hands settled on her hips and pulled her into a close embrace, “I won’t let that happen, Gem.”
    She clung to him for a moment longer than necessary. She wanted to remember this — the strength of his embrace, the steady beat of his heart against her chest, the warmth that flowed through her veins at the very sight of him and the woodsy smell that overwhelmed her senses when he was nearby — she didn’t want to forget a single detail. Carson was too precious to her and this plan was too foolhardy.
    “We’ll wait until nightfall. There won’t be much use going out before that.”
    Gemma pulled Carson aside and left her hand resting on his taut bicep.
    “What about Aaron?”
    “What about him?” Carson’s eyes flashed with anger giving her a glimpse of the wolf beneath.
    “Do you think he’ll be sobered up by then?”
    “Gemma, I have better things to do with my time than babysit a grown ass man.” He knew the minute the words were out of his mouth that he’d been too harsh with her.
    “I… I would just feel better if you had more people with…” her lip quivered and Carson wrapped his arms around her, cursing himself.
    “I know, I’m sorry. I just don’t know what to do about those two,” he said.
    “You wanna try to switch? I’ll talk to Aaron and you can talk to Izzy?”
    Carson laughed, “I’m pretty sure I’m the next to last person Izzy wants to talk to. You’re more than welcome to talk to Aaron, but you’re wasting your time.”
    She frowned.
    “I don’t think you should exclude him,” she said.
    “He’s excluding himself. You saw him; he’s a mess.”
    Gemma nodded, remembering all too well the signs of addiction and avoidance from her