Way of the Wolf: Shifter Legacies 1 Read Online Free

only a part. There is a price to be paid by both of you. My project is secret and requires you to keep that secret. Also, you and your daughter will be required to join the others and live with them until the research is complete.”
    “How long?”
    “That’s uncertain. I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you the nature of research, but as things stand I would guess at no less than a year.”
    Morgan agreed with a nod. “Professor Langdon’s last report was encouraging, but it might be longer than that… perhaps two years.”
    “Langdon? Would that be Jennifer Langdon?” Elliot said.
    “That’s right.”
    “I heard that—”
    Arcadian smiled. “That she disappeared under suspicious circumstances? Yes she did. If you agree to my terms, so will you as far as your friends are concerned.”
    His thoughts raced. Jennifer Langdon would never be a party to something so outlandish unless there truly was a chance of success. Two years away from his work could be disastrous, and yet… he nodded to himself. The others would ensure his work would go on, and what if Arcadian really had a cure? Two years away would be nothing then.
    “I need something concrete to base my decision on. I need more information about your cure. Something... anything! ”
    “I understand,” Arcadian said. “Firstly, the cure is not without side effects.”
    “Side effects?” Elliot’s stomach plummeted. “What kind of side effects, and how severe are they?”
    “I’ll come back to that.” Arcadian stood. He crossed the room to his desk and returned holding a letter opener. He held it up for Elliot’s inspection. It was more a dagger than letter opener. It had a silver hilt set with red stones that might be rubies for all he knew. “Exquisite is it not? It was a gift from an old friend of mine.”
    Elliot nodded.
    Arcadian brandished the weapon making light reflect off the blade, and then plunged it into Morgan’s chest in the blink of an eye. The man grunted with the impact, and Elliot cried out in shock. Morgan looked down at the dagger in wide-eyed surprise, and then back up at Arcadian.
    “You crazy bastard!” Elliot shouted leaping to his feet and backing away. Blake took a single step sideways and blocked the door. “Let me out of here.”
    “Oh hush. He’s in no danger.”
    “You stabbed him in the chest!”
    “Only as a demonstration,” Arcadian said, sounding defensive. “Morgan is one of my closest friends; I would no more hurt him than I would hurt myself. See for yourself.”
    He turned expecting to find that Morgan had breathed his last, but he was still sitting as before. He was no longer interested in the knife. He was just sitting there with it in his chest.
    “Goddess bless me and hold me safe from evil,” Elliot breathed. “What have you done?”
    “Come come,” Arcadian said, his mood shifting toward exasperation. “Don’t waste the opportunity. Examine the wound. Perhaps I used a trick knife. Best you check, don’t you think?”
    Elliot looked to Peter and Chani for their reactions. Peter raised his drink in salute, and Chani smiled encouragement. He approached Morgan uncertainly, and bent to examine the injury. He touched the knife feeling it vibrate with each breath the man took.
    “Does it hurt?”
    Peter snorted and Chani tittered.
    “Of course it bloody hurts,” Morgan said in disgust, and glared at Arcadian. “I’d pull it out, but I think he wants you to do it.”
    Arcadian nodded. “I want him to be sure there is no trickery.”
    He shook his head. There wasn’t much blood for such an obviously deep and fatal wound, but the knife was plugging it. “We should call an ambulance.”
    “Oh for Danu’s sake,” Peter said, moving to take charge.
    “No,” Arcadian said softly, and Peter froze. “Let him do it. Please proceed with your investigation, Professor. Don’t take all night. Poor Morgan looks uncomfortable.”
    Morgan grimaced and rolled his eyes at Elliot. “He likes