Darkness Awakened (Primal Heat Trilogy #1) (Order of the Blade) Read Online Free Page B

Quinn didn’t have the same morals or ethics as Gideon, and he sure as hell had never claimed to be the most devoted follower of the Order’s rigid code of conduct.
    He was here for one reason, and that was to make sure the past didn’t happen again. Now was his chance. He was certain Elijah was innocent. How and why, he didn’t know. But his gut told him that Elijah needed a chance, and there was no way Quinn was walking away from his friend. He hadn’t listened to his gut five hundred years ago, a choice that had led to the death of the man he considered his father.
    Not again. Not this time. Today, there was only one choice Quinn could live with.
    “It shouldn’t be like this,” Gideon said. “He shouldn’t die without a trial. He shouldn’t die at anyone’s hands but ours.”
    “He isn’t going to.”
    Gideon shot him a sharp look, and knowledge flared in his eyes as he realized what Quinn was about to do. He started to call out his axe to stop Quinn, but then his loyalty to Elijah made him hesitate, the barest pause. That split second of doubt gave Quinn the chance he needed.
    Quinn belted Gideon in the back of his head with the butt of his sword before Gideon could recover, knocking out his blood brother. He caught his friend as he slumped, then eased the Calydon to the muddy ground. “Sorry, mate, but I couldn’t let you make a choice we’d both regret.”
    He’d held back on the blow, so Gideon would be out for only about half a day, giving Quinn time to get a good lead on tracking Elijah. Once Gideon awoke, he’d do as he should and go straight to Dante, but they both would rest better with the knowledge that Quinn had a head start on finding Elijah first. The team would be dispatched after Elijah within minutes of Gideon’s report, and the race would be on.
    Quinn checked to make sure Gideon was still breathing, then started sprinting toward his cabin to gather what he needed to go after Elijah. He had to slow after only a few steps, still reeling from the death blow Elijah had delivered him.
    Nice. The life of his best friend was at stake, and he was going into battle with only one sword and a hangover from hell. He was at a fraction of his regular strength, and a posse of the most deadly warriors alive would be on his tail in less than a day.
    Time to man up.
    His weapon shimmered brightly, then dissolved into the air. His brands burned like fire as the sword returned to his body, resting until the next time he needed it.
    His blade sheathed, Quinn broke into an easy lope, forcing blood to surge to his muscles. If he did find Elijah, could he even bring him back? Or would he have to do what he did to his uncle so long ago?
    Quinn swore.
    There was no room for mistakes, not this time.

Chapter Two
     
    Dear God, let me be right.
    Grace Matthews clenched the nylon strap of her backpack more tightly, her hand trembling with exhaustion. Or cold. Or fear. She didn’t even know anymore. It didn’t even matter.
    All that mattered was that she’d made it to the place that rumors said didn’t even exist. It was here. This address. This house.
    But was he here? And if he was, could he help her? Would he help her? If he wouldn’t, if he couldn’t, her sister would die. Oh, God. Ana. Grace’s throat tightened and tears welled up in her eyes.
    She immediately lifted her chin and blinked away the tears. She wouldn’t give up now. She’d found his home. She would make him help. There was no other option.
    Grace took a shuddering breath and squared her shoulders, staring at the long, dirt driveway that disappeared into the shadowy woods. Trepidation rippled through her, and she wished for a moment that she’d arrived before night had fallen, before darkness shifted the playing field even further out of her favor.
    As if a few bright rays of sunlight would help her if he decided she wasn’t welcome.
    She was only a human. Mostly.
    Quinn Masters was one of the most deadly members of the Order of the