Between Light and Dark Read Online Free PDF Page A

forces."
    "Riiiggght," she drawled. "So, this person has the ability
to ward off evil?" He nodded. "You mean a person who has
superpowers or something?"
    "In a manner, yes. His very existence, his-" He frowned,
as though searching for the right word. "His DNA has a special quality that counteracts the Dark. It works in a similar
manner to my own ability to battle the Umbrae in the higher
realms."
    "You make it sound like we're in the middle of a war,"
she said.

    "Yes, a war." Axiom nodded briskly. "One that has been
waged since time began. Between the forces of Dark and
Light."
    She frowned. "Why do you need this Earth Balancer?
Why not just send more gods down to protect Earth?"
    "The Light Gods have attempted this previously. Unfortunately, when you shine light into darkness, the darkness
disappears only temporarily. Once the Light returns to its
source, as it must in order to revive itself, darkness returns.
And as for the Grays, our ability to neutralize the Umbrae
is not as effective when we are in the flesh. We're able to
fend the Umbrae off temporarily, but doing so greatly depletes our energy."
    "How is the Earth Balancer different?"
    "He will be a being of flesh and will carry both the light
and dark energies of an immortal Gray. The Earth Balancer
will possess the ability to neutralize the Umbrae on the
Earth plane."
    "I see," she said, studying Axiom more closely. His chiseled features, dark hair, piercing gray eyes, and muscular
build were like something out of one of her hottest dreams.
Focus. Kidnappers are not sexy.
    "You called yourself a Gray. What is that exactly?"
    "I belong neither to the Light nor Dark, but contain elements of both, thus the term Gray." His eyes clouded. "I am
a Balancer on the higher planes."
    "Mm-hmm," Laurell agreed, though she had no idea
what the man had just said.
    "Are my words unclear?" he asked with raised eyebrows.
"I detect confusion in your features."
    She sat up straighter and cleared her throat. Be nice, she
reminded herself. You're supposed to seem interested; placate
the man. "No, I get it. Really. You're here to bring the Earth
Balancer."

    "That is correct. It is important that you fully understand. Please ask for clarification when needed."
    It suddenly occurred to Laurell she had been in Axiom's
presence for what had to be almost two hours, and he
hadn't made any move to harm her. He clearly believed the
things he told her. She sighed, allowing herself some relief.
So maybe her worst fate was rape. A horrible enough thing
to be sure, but better than death. Perhaps he'd convinced
himself of this whole elaborate story to keep from admitting that he would be taking her against her will.
    "I still don't understand my role in all of this. Or yours
for that matter."
    Axiom leaned forward. "I am certain I explained this to
you already. I am to father the Balancer. You are to be his
mother."
    The words rang in Laurell's ears. Tears pricked her eyes.
There was no way he could know. No way. But his oh-socasual statement twisted like a knife through her gut just
the same.
    "Fuck you," she ground out.
    His brow furrowed. "I do not understand your anger."
    "Of course you don't. You can't possibly understand the
irony of you and me having sex to give birth to some supernatural baby who's going to save the world."
    Laurell forgot about her plan to stay calm. In the space of
a few weeks she'd lost her grandmother and her mother, had
been kidnapped and then drugged into almost screwing a
stranger. Now this? She wanted to cry. Instead, she laughed,
a raw hysterical sound that burst out unbidden.
    Axiom's spine went rigid, and he crossed to the couch
and lay down.
    Laurell's eyes widened. "What are you doing?"
    "Going to sleep."
    "In the middle of a conversation?"

    "Yes. I find I am not as amused by our situation as you."
    "You think I'm amused?" she retorted.
    "Your behavior would indicate it, yes. Apparently mating with me is a laughable