Turning Night Read Online Free

and waiting for him. Max trotted out babysitting skills from high school, and soon, he was leaning against her shoulder, snuffling softly.
    She paced with him, keeping him close while the others slept. When he fussed and squalled, Max brought him in to Raila.
    She smiled and sat up, reaching for him. Raila winced as her infant latched on and fed.
    Max sat at the edge of her bed and spoke softly. “I have spoken to Hulorn. He wishes to arrange visitation, and he will not take your child from you. He offers you this bouquet, but he has allowed himself to cross your threshold by giving it to me.”
    Raila smiled down at her son. “Let him come. The bond between us is strong. I can follow my son wherever he goes.”
    “And he can feel Hulorn. He woke up when I brought in the flowers.”
    Max reached over and took the roses from where they had been resting next to Raven.
    Raila took the flowers with her free hand. “I love roses.”
    She inhaled deeply and a soft smile played around her lips. Hulorn’s scent mingled with the flowers, and Max guessed that there was a bit of a flashback in action. Apparently, the one-night stand had left a few memories in addition to the new life.
    “What drew you to him?” Max asked softly.
    “He was smart, fearless and he smiled anytime someone spoke to him. He was the first genuinely friendly midnight elf I had ever met. We danced, listened to the songs, and I invited him to my room at the hotel. When I woke, he was gone, and it wasn’t until two months later that I had proof of our excellent timing.”
    Max chuckled. “Good. I was hoping that there had been mutual attraction and not magic going on. I am guessing that this was at the annual gathering at Hotel Spectre?”
    “That’s correct. I saw you there with the Guild Master. There was a lot of yelling going on.”
    Max laughed. “There usually is. He is a big sweetheart, though. He has been the most supportive thing in my life to date.”
    In a shy whisper, Raila asked, “Does he drink from you?”
    “When he has to or during sex. Neither of us needs to consume much, but biting one’s mate in the heat of passion is…satisfying.”
    Raila blushed and looked around. “For shifters too.”
    Hellebore sat up, “I heard that. Anyone else for breakfast?”
    Max yawned, and her fangs slipped past her lips. Raila looked surprised and Hellebore was fascinated.
    Raven sat up and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Did someone say breakfast? Geez, Max, put those away. There are kids present.”
    Max snapped her jaws shut and got to her feet. “I need a bit of shuteye. Hellebore, wake me if there is so much as a sneeze on the wards. Oh, and Tonho is in your shed, Raila; he might need a sandwich or dozen.”
    Hellebore nodded, “I will bring something out to him.”
    “I would prefer if Raven does it. He knows her, and she can move through the wards without ruffling them.” Max yawned again.
    Raven nodded. “You look like hell. Go and sleep.”
    Raila agreed. “My spare room is at the end of the hall.”
    Max smiled her thanks and headed for the room. “Ah, full sunlight, how wonderful.”
    The bed smelled like Rithak, so Max looked underneath. Raila may be pregnant, but she was an excellent housekeeper. There was enough room under the bed for her, and she grabbed a spare blanket from the cupboard along with a pillow and crept into her hiding place. She had never been able to sleep in a sunny room, even when she was fully human.
    The heartbeats of the house’s inhabitants lulled her to sleep.

Chapter Four
     
     
    Max opened her eyes and met Raven’s red gaze. “What time is it?”
    “Just after four. Tonho insisted that you eat before he does. Have a sandwich.”
    A ham and cheese on rye was waggled at her.
    Max snatched it and crawled out from under the bed without her normal grace. “Thanks.”
    “Why didn’t you sleep in the bed?”
    “Too much light. Messes up my REM cycle.” She munched away. “How is everyone