Forsaken by the Others Read Online Free PDF Page A

just held me, the two of us silent and unmoving as the
     water sluiced over us and washed the last remnants of the black liquid off our skin.

Chapter 3
    Later, once I stopped leaking the black crap and the two of us had cleaned up—without
     the fun and games I’d been planning on, unfortunately—Royce gave me some clothing
     that he must have sent someone out to get for me. The sweater and designer jeans still
     had tags on them. I wasn’t about to ask how he knew my bra or underwear size, but
     the underthings that came with the new clothes were far more silky and revealing than
     I was used to, and a shade of green that was a bit more daring than I would have chosen
     on my own. It looked better than I was expecting, but neither Royce nor I were interested
     in doing anything about that after the scene in the shower.
    He brought me downstairs with him. Some of the other inhabitants of the building were
     waiting for us, watching with eyes that glittered like red gemstones in the dark as
     we passed. The atmosphere was a hell of a lot more sinister in here sans the night
     vision and superhuman strength granted by the belt. Royce looked back at me as a shiver
     crept down my spine when Wes fell into step behind us.
    After that, Royce took my hand. It was creepy how he’d known something was wrong without
     even looking at me. The cool press of his fingers curled around mine was comforting,
     but didn’t make me any less afraid of the crimson embers burning in the depths of
     Wes’s eyes when I glanced at him over my shoulder.
    No doubt the dread pirate vampire was still pissed at me for the cheap shots I got
     in during our fight last night.
    Royce led me to Mouse’s apartment. The door was open, and I did my best not to stare
     at all of the swords and daggers and other sharp, pointy objects the house guard kept
     in her living room.
    “Analie. You remember Ms. Waynest, do you not?”
    There was a young girl with mousy brown hair in the kitchen, furiously stirring something
     in a bowl. She used a flour-covered arm to move some stray strands of hair out of
     her eyes and gave us a sunny grin. “Sure. Hi, Shia.”
    I lifted a hand and gave her a halfhearted wave, wondering what all this was about.
     Analie was one of the three werewolves who were currently “guests” in Royce’s home.
     I didn’t know the specifics of how Analie had come to be the vampire’s ward, but I
     knew it wasn’t something she’d been happy about. The other two—Ashi and Christoph—had
     done something stupid and tried attacking the vampire to save her from his clutches.
     Since their actions hadn’t been sanctioned by their alpha, they had been magically
     neutered by some collars that suppressed their ability to shift and gifted to Royce’s
     household. When I was stuck recovering from the blood bond to Royce, I had met the
     three of them in passing, but I wasn’t supposed to spend much time around any of them.
    Royce ushered me before him, settling his hands lightly at my waist. It struck me
     as a strangely possessive move, but I wasn’t about to complain. “I have some errands
     to attend to. Give her a sample of your new skills. Perhaps you two can keep each
     other entertained until I return.”
    That made me stiffen. “You’re leaving?”
    He leaned in to kiss my cheek. Analie, blushing, nodded and turned away from us.
    “You’re staying here,” he said, cool lips lingering against my cheek. “I won’t be
     long.”
    With that, his grip tightened in what I assume was supposed to be a reassuring squeeze,
     and then he pulled away.
    Dismissed so easily. It served as a reminder of what I was now. Something I wouldn’t
     ever be able to forget. Feeling a little sick, I sat in the chair Wes pulled out for
     me, not surprised when he settled down across from me. Royce nodded to Wes and left
     without another word.
    Analie put the bowl down and shook her spoon at Wes. “Stop glaring at her.” It wasn’t
     until