The Travelers: Book Two Read Online Free Page B

youth.
    “I know. But aren’t we all, right now? It just manifests in different ways.”
    Carson smiled and surprised her with a firm kiss.
    “See! That’s why I love you. You always find a way to empathize.”
    Gemma shrugged, “I just have to remember that everyone else is human, too.”
    “Except when they’re not!” Trick chimed in.
    “Eavesdrop much?” Gemma teased.
    “Ow. It’s going to take weeks for me to recover from that burn,” Trick volleyed.
    “Here’s what I’m thinking,” Gemma said ignoring Trick.
    “Ooh, baby, I love to hear what you’re thinking,” Carson said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
    She smacked his shoulder with a playful grin.
    “I give Aaron a few hours to finish sleeping it off before I tell him you’re going out without him. He can make up his mind then if he wants to sober up to help you or not. Then, I’ll stand faithful watch over your limp body as you go fight evil shadow monsters and worry me half to death,” she feigned a swoon.
    “Hmm. That’s a pretty solid plan, but I noticed a pretty sizable gap. What are your plans for the next few hours?”
    “I’m so glad you asked that,” she purred. “I was going to ask if you had any suggestions.”
    His hand traveled down her back, drawing out tiny shivers as he traced a line over her spine.
    “I could think of a thing or two to entertain you,” he whispered, his voice growing husky.
    “Oh god, please. Just get naked or get out of here. My gag reflex is only so strong,” Trick said.
    Carson looked peeved, but Gemma laughed it off.
    “Well, let’s give the man what he wants!” She said, reaching for the hem of her shirt.
    Carson’s eyes grew ten times their normal size and his hands flew to cover hers before she could pull her shirt up. In one swift movement he grabbed her by the hand and pulled her up the stairs, her laughter trailing after them.
     
    <<<>>>
     
    “Ugh, can you believe them?” Trick said, making a face of disgust.
    “Yes, seeing one of our best friends happy and in love is quite revolting, I agree,” Ty said.
    Trick answered with a roll of his eyes.
    “Yeah yeah. I’m the bad guy because I think all this mushy crap is getting in the way of more important things.”
    “Oh?” Ty asked, quirking an eyebrow without ever lifting his gaze from the monitor in front of him.
    “Yeah! Like why I don’t have super powers yet,” he said.
    “You have to find your Evoker,” Alina said, drawing their attention to her. She sank back into her chair, her cheeks turning pink.
    Dez urged her to continue.
    “But there’s no way of even knowing if you are a Traveler…” she muttered.
    “So, why haven’t we all turned into crazy people if this frenzy is so strong?” he asked, feeling like he was finally getting somewhere with figuring this all out.
    Alina shrugged; the corners of her mouth fell into a frown and her eyes refused to meet anyone’s.
    “The most vulnerable people are those that have damaged their souls or — in the case of Travelers and Evokers — have met their soulmate but have yet to have the chance to bond with them. It leaves a kind of… hole. The frenzy takes hold and the hole grows and grows.”
    Trick drummed his fingers on the table.
    “So then… the shadows move in?” he asked.
    “Like some kind of nefarious hermit crab,” Ty added.
    “And, according to Carson, he can sometimes pull them free, but sometimes they’re too ingrained and the person can’t survive,” Trick said.
    Alina nodded, impressed with how quickly they’d all caught on.
    “That still doesn’t explain how Isabel’s shadow disappeared,” said Ty.
    “I think I have a theory about that,” said Alina.
     
    <<<>>>
     
    There was blood everywhere. Her stomach turned at the sight of it. But even worse than the gore in front of her eyes was the stench that assaulted Izzy’s nostrils. The metallic scent of fresh blood mingled with the caustic fumes of vinegar.
    She was terrified. Yet