Dark Embrace Read Online Free PDF Page A

against her closed lids, and she somehow opened her eyes. Instantly, she blinked against the sterile white light of an office or a hospital room.
    Tabby held her hand. “Welcome back.”
    Brie met her concerned amber eyes. Without her glasses, she couldn’t see farther than her hand, but she didn’t have to see Tabby clearly to know it was her. Her mind remained sluggish, but she knew there was something urgent she had to remember. And suddenly she gripped Tabby’s hand hard in return. “Aidan!” There was total recall now. “Did you find him?” As she spoke, she saw the blur that was Sam, standing next to Tabby. Dear God, her boss was behind them. He was entirely out of focus, but it didn’t matter, she still felt his hard, unwavering stare.
    â€œNo, we didn’t.” Tabby slipped her eyeglasses on for her. “Is that better?”
    So much fear for him began. Without a doubt, Brie knew that he was being tortured by great evil. He could still be alive and in torment—or he could be dead.
    â€œHow do you feel?” Nick asked.
    Brie was almost afraid to look at him now that she could see. He was a macho-looking man of about thirty—muscular, tall and really good-looking; women were always trying to pick him up. Nick was a cool player, but he was all work and no play when it came to HCU.
    â€œAm I drugged?” She finally looked at him, and sure enough, he had that steely, take-no-prisoners look in his eyes.
    â€œPretty heavily, but we’re taking you down so we can chat.” Nick smiled, as if encouraging her to be candid, but that smile never reached his blue eyes.
    â€œIt’s been twenty-four hours, Brie,” Tabby said softly, squeezing her hand. Her gaze was filled with worry.
    Brie stared at her, almost reading her mind. Now she remembered fighting the pain, in this very room. “He’s still being tortured,” she gasped.
    â€œEvery other time we brought you down, within an hour or so you started having extreme empathic reactions to your friend,” Nick said flatly.
    Brie blinked at him. He’d stressed the word “friend.” How much had she said? Nick was pissed; she could feel it, even as messed up as she was.
    â€œMaybe you can tell Nick something to help his people find Aidan,” Tabby murmured.
    â€œIt’s hard to think,” she whispered. Had Tabby told Nick about the Masters of Time? As groggy as she was, she was certain Nick wouldn’t be surprised that the rumors floating around the agency about a race of evil-fighting warriors were true. Sometimes Nick seemed to know everything.
    Nick said to the physician, “Take her down a bit more.”
    As the sedation was further decreased, Brie recognized that she was ill with exhaustion. She felt nauseous, and she began to realize how utterly sore her body was. Every muscle throbbed, as if she was the one who’d been mercilessly tortured. But her mind leapt to life as the sedation was reduced. What had they done to him? Was he alive? “How can I help?” she asked Nick, trembling.
    He dismissed the doctor and turned to Tabby and Sam. “Goodbye, ladies.”
    Tabby was alarmed. “I can’t leave her.”
    Nick gestured toward the door. “You can, and you will. It will only be for a few moments.”
    Brie didn’t want to be alone with him and she knew Tabby knew it. Sam gave Nick a cool glance. “Don’t bully her,” she said.
    When they were gone, he said, “I need you to come clean, kid. If you want to help your friend, you need to clarify exactly who we’re looking for.”
    Brie wished she could think more clearly. “His name is Aidan—and he’s not from our century.” She stopped. “He’s from the past, Nick.”
    He leaned close, his face expressionless. “When did you meet the Highlander, Brie?”
    He was really mad. “I met him a year ago,” Brie