Demon Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page B

to be here for this.” He hung his head. “What I am…what he is… it’s all connected.”
    I stayed quiet, just nodding my acceptance.
    “You’re taking this rather well, so far at least,” Alec said and I could see the hope in his gaze.
    I gave a strangled laugh. “I’m glad one of us thinks so.”
    When his face fell I held up my hand in apology, sighing. “I didn’t mean it like that, Alec. I’ll go wait in the living room while you dress.” And I hoped Samuel wasn’t there because I could really use a few minutes to myself.
    * * * *
    Samuel was fixing a plate of sandwiches when I stepped out of Alec’s room. He had his back to me but he knew I was there. “He’ll need food. Let me finish these and I’ll leave so you can have some time alone.”
    He sounded so…lost. My chest tightened as I took in the stiffness of his body, then I realized what his words meant and I gulped. “Can you read my mind?”
    Samuel turned to me, his amber eyes darkened to near gold as he looked at the floor. “No. But I can sense emotions.” He placed the plate in the microwave. “I’ll leave. Will you please tell Alec he has food ready when he leaves his room?”
    A knot formed in my stomach. “Please stay.”
    Samuel’s gaze shot to mine and his eyes flashed bright gold. “I don’t want your pity!”
    I drew up my shoulders and stepped closer to him. “You’re not getting it!” I softened my voice. “I was sad and guilty because you’re upset.”
    Samuel gave me an incredulous look. “Why would you be? We’ve lied to you and we’re something not… human.” He sighed. “You should be terrified.”
    I heard the door to Alec’s room open and I shifted so I could see both of them. I nodded. “I should be. Probably should be driving like a bat out of hell right now but I…” I’d seriously thought about it too. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to figure out how to describe it. Finally I just threw up my hands. “I can’t. I think about leaving and I want to cry. Why?”
    Samuel closed his eyes briefly. “Do you think I’m doing this?” He held very still.
    Alec growled but I flicked a hand at him. “Stop, please, Alec.”
    I stared directly at Samuel. “No, mostly because I don’t want to, but also because if you were doing it I don’t think I’d have any clue. I’d just be all shiny and happy and let you do whatever.”
    A slow smile formed on Samuel’s face. “You really are quite remarkable.”
    I swallowed nervously and tried to ignore the hunger burning in his eyes. Never had anyone ever thought I was special but they were looking at me as if I was miracle and I truly didn’t understand it. “Umm, not really.”
    Alec came a step closer. “Do you think you’re the first to suspect we’re something different?” He shook his head. “We’ve been around for a long, long time, Becca, and this is usually when they start throwing holy water and screaming for a pitchfork-bearing mob.”
    Samuel spoke quietly. “I can feel your wariness. You’re not blindly believing that you’re safe. I sense you’re deliberately pushing away your fear to give us a chance to convince you to stay.”
    “Explain this to me so I don’t have to anymore,” I asked quietly, almost losing my nerve when I saw true fear flash across Samuel’s face as he backed away a step. He didn’t want to tell me but it was time to rip the band aid off. I turned to Alec and flat out asked him. “Shifter or werewolf?”
    “Neither,” Alec said quietly, giving Samuel a sorrowful glance before continuing. “I’m a demon’s familiar.”
    My mouth fell open, and I barely managed not to jibber my racing thoughts aloud. Slowly, my eyes wide, I turned to Samuel. “Then that would make you…” My voice trailed off as I hoped he would say something different.
    Samuel’s voice was barely a whisper. “A demon.”

Chapter Five
    “A demon?” I repeated dumbly as I wrapped my arms around myself.
    Samuel wiped