From the Ashes (Witches of The Demon Isle Book 8) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Jerkface had a name Charlie was familiar with and the pompous idiot better hope they never crossed paths.
    “I always thought we were close,” he mumbled absentmindedly. He hadn’t meant to say it aloud. Or for it to come out as a bad thing, more an observation and a failure, on his part.
    “I’m sorry,” she spilled tearfully. She didn’t think she could feel any lower or more ashamed. Rock bottom. This had to be it. Nothing left, all out in the open now. No more secrets. Charlie knew every detail of her life that she’d kept hidden.
    She’d left out the most intimate moments of her time with William after he’d saved her life, as well as Riley at the quarry, saying only that things had happened , but Charlie got the idea and didn’t need to hear the rest.
    There was a wide mix of feelings emoting out of Charlie, none winning over the other for precedence. Melinda wondered what he was thinking about all she’d revealed. But the more she thought about it, her brother hadn’t been entirely honest either.
    “You’ve had your secrets too, Charlie,” she reminded.
    Melinda was right. There were many things he’d kept secret regarding his inner werewolf, about how the alpha who turned him could have gained control of his heart, mind, and body. The alpha, being the now deceased Eva Jordan.
    He hadn’t told them about Nina, his summer fling; the Guardian who sacrificed herself so he could have her protection ring.
    Or that he’d been taking unconscious nighttime strolls across the Isle, waking up naked in the woods. But there wasn’t much left to tell now.
    “I don’t want to know all your secrets,” Melinda clarified. “And I can’t promise to tell you everything about my life. But if it’s important to the job, or something I need help with, I will tell you.”
    “I guess I thought I was more available to you than I was. Just promise me, Melinda, don’t let me push you away, or get too busy. Make me stop. Make me listen if I’m not. I didn’t realize how wrapped up in day-to-day life I got. I’m always worried about you. But I never pushed, and never asked. I guess I should have.”
    “And I never told, Charlie. We’re equally at fault on this.”
    “We can’t let it happen again. Not only because of being witches. You’re my sister and I care about what goes on in your life. And you can tell me anything. I know I’m stubborn and impatient sometimes… just, call me on it. And I’ll do my best to…” She stopped him.
    “Don’t sell yourself so short. You’ve always done the best you could. You’re supposed to my big brother, not my dad.”
    A brittle chuckle escaped him.
    “Charlie, you’re a pass or fail kind of guy. There is no middle ground for you, and I think that’s where we all are right now. This gray, ugly, middle ground. I think it’s where I’ve been living these last four years.”
    “I’m not a fan of middle ground,” he stated, agreeing in her simplified explanation of him.
    “It’s not a place I want to live in anymore, either. But I’m not sure how to climb out of it, and stay out of it.” She paused, lowering her gaze. “Are you… mad at me? Disappointed?” Melinda had to ask him.
    “No. Equally at fault, didn’t we agree?”
    “I mean about falling for two guys I should not have fallen for, and no matter how hard I try still have feelings for, even after everything’s that’s happened.”
    “Oh, that, um… a Deane and a vampire. Riley and William. A few days ago, I might not have understood, so easily. But today…” he trailed off with an eye roll.
    “What do you mean?”
    Charlie puffed out his cheeks, pushing out a pocket of air.
    “The other night I sort of, may have, kind of, without thinking first, professed my undying love to um… Lizzy… Deane.”
    Melinda choked out a cough. What the heck happened in the last week? She’d missed a lot since getting caught by the Feyk.
    “Yeah… another Howard in love with a Deane. I can’t