Burkheart Witch Saga Book 2 Read Online Free PDF Page A

the pure white snow.
    Shaking, she rose from the ground and took a tentative step forward. The snow was dense and thick, easily supporting her weight. She took a few more steps before calling out.
    "Hello? Is there anyone here?" She looked all around, trying to spot any signs of life. She got her wish after a few more steps.
    The low growl came from closer behind than she would have liked. Kayla slowly pivoted in a half circle, and the wolves bared their teeth and growled even more loudly. Their yellow eyes locked on hers, and she frantically tried to plan a getaway. The lupine trio was no more than five feet away from her. She knew running from them was not a viable option, but they looked like they were getting anxious. Every time she took a small step back, the lead wolf took a step forward. The leader of the pack growled again and then snapped its powerful jaws in a loud snarl. Just as Kayla was about to risk running away, a figure dressed in a long, hooded robe stepped out from behind a tree and walked toward the wolves. He was tall and muscular. Kayla could see a hint of long blond hair peeking out from under the draped hood that hid his face. He seemed familiar to her, but she could not place where she might have seen him before.
    To her amazement, the wolves immediately lay down in the snow. Even though they kept their watchful eyes on her, they seemed afraid of the hooded man. Kayla knew the feeling. She was about to bolt off in the opposite direction when the huntsman put his hand out to her. She could hear someone shouting off in the distance, but couldn't make out what they were saying.
    The huntsman took the hand he had held out to Kayla and placed it on the coat of the lead wolf. He slowly stroked the grayish brown fur and whispered something to the wolf that Kayla could not hear.
    She knew this had to be some kind of hallucination or dream, but she was frustrated at her inability to discern what anyone was saying, or to make heads or tails of whom this man was. She watched him carefully, wondering what fate that whisper might bring to her. She didn't have to wait long.
    Without warning, the lead wolf lunged at her, knocking her to the ground. She felt the air leave her lungs and a rock on the ground connect with her temple. As the world swam out of focus, the cloaked figure crouched beside her. He pulled the hood away from his face and looked at her with sharp blue eyes the color of the clearest waters. She still had that feeling of familiarity that nagged at her failing consciousness. As the blackness moved in from the corners of her fading vision, she had a realization that sent her reeling into darkness. The huntsman scooped her up into his strong arms and lifted her body from the cold snow, and a final word passed her lips before she fainted completely away.
    "Daddy?"

6
    K ayla woke , expecting to be sitting in the living room with the seven witches. Instead, she saw the inside of a small cottage, the walls lined with animal skins and old pots. The room felt cozy and rustic, if not a little bit cloying. In the corner, a stone fireplace burned brightly. A filigree crane held a Dutch oven over the fireplace. The smell of fresh bread and spice filled the small room. As Kayla propped herself up on her elbows, she felt a wave of dizziness and nausea. She allowed herself to fall back onto the bed.
    The door opened abruptly, and she bolted up just as fast, multiplying the sense of nausea. Her father entered the cottage with an armload of wood to keep the fire burning.
    Through the wooziness, Kayla tried to focus.
    "Where am I? What's going on?"
    "Kayla, it's me, your dad. Do you remember me?" He looked at her hopefully. That look broke her heart.
    Even though she had spent the last twenty years fine-tuning all of the things that she would say if she was ever face to face with him, all she was able to get out was, "Daddy, is it really you?"
    "Yes, honey, it's really me."
    She pulled herself up and wrapped her arms