Chevalier (Ondine Quartet #2.2) Read Online Free PDF

regret, and a deep weariness dug into the pit of my stomach. I had to construct a plausible scenario to cover up these bodies.
    Not just Aquidae. Human as well.
    I took a deep breath. "I'll get started on clearing the scene."
    "I'll search his home office and files. We can go over them later."
    She headed back into the apartment.  
    Night pressed in.
    Adrenaline receded. Coiled tension of risk released. The thrill of toeing the line between life and death faded.
    And all that was left was me, alone on a rooftop, surrounded by death and the stench of blood.

    ****

    "Seventy-Seventh between Broadway and Amsterdam."
    Left arm dangled uselessly by my side. We got most of the blood off before we left Mark's apartment. But we couldn't do much about our torn clothes and general state of dishevelment.
    Cab driver barely spared us a glance.
    Gotta love New York.
    "How soon is Oriel going to handle it?" she murmured.
    I leaned back, wincing as muscles protested. "She'll call me within the next two hours."
    We fell silent, the space between us filled with the sounds of sports talk on the cab's radio.
    "Have you talked to people in Haverleau?"
    Surprise flickered across her face. "Chlo, Cam, and Ian have been keeping me up-to-date. Aub's being released from the hospital tomorrow. Alex is being anti-social as usual and —" she abruptly stopped.
    "And?" I prompted.
    She turned to look out the window again. "And that's it."
    I didn't have the energy to push. Or maybe the courage.
    I changed the subject. "How'd you know where to find me?"
    "Do you really expect me to tell you?"
    "I bet I can guess."
    "You can try."
    I studied her for a moment, something desperate and rough twisting in my chest. I wanted to stay with her like this for as long as possible.
    "Let's see," I drawled. "Maybe you have secret magic abilities I don't know about. Or maybe you're an all-knowing goddess. Maybe —"
    "I knew you'd back out," she said, triumphant.
    I faced her completely, not wanting to miss a single moment of her reaction.
    "You pretended to take a shower. You knew the call from Barry was likely to come in some time tonight. So you waited in your bedroom, listened to my call, and followed my cab."
    Her mouth opened, then closed. Opened and closed.
    I tried not to laugh.
    "How…" Indignation flashed through her eyes. "How did you know that?"
    Passing street lights rhythmically cast her face in light and shadow. Her clothes were ripped in several places and stained with sweat and blood. Unkempt hair flew around her face in a tangled mess and an ugly purple bruise marred her cheekbone.
    She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.
    "Because I would've done the same thing."
    The words came out more intimate than I'd intended.
    Silence fell again and this time she broke it.
    "I don't like this," she said quietly. "It's too dangerous, Julian."
    "Been doing this long before I met you, sweet iris —"
    "It's not the same." Serious eyes met mine. "We're getting in deep. Stakes have changed."
    "What do you suggest?"
    "Get support. Maybe a few more chevaliers. Or gardinels."
    It wouldn't work. It was the same argument I'd had with Gabe when I first started going undercover.
    Chevaliers were trained to fight as a team. Same with the gardinels. Their discipline and ability to follow orders were what made them a strong cohesive unit, especially for larger targets and major battles.
    But this type of investigation didn't work that way. It required small, precise calculations, frequent adjustments, and a flexibility that was difficult to maintain with a bigger group.
    Working alone gave me the agility I needed.
    What I did wasn't about staying within the lines. It was about crossing them.
    Walking along the sharp edge of a blade and diving into the dark crevices of our intersecting worlds. Existing in places not many people were willing to go.
    Except her.
    And then I realized that wasn't quite true.
    The image of an intricate phoenix rising from red and turquoise