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

judge,” said Charlie. “And I’m in so much freaking trouble.”
    “Why? Because you lied in the heat of the moment?”
    “No. Because I was telling the truth. And I’ve been avoiding the subject ever since. Not that I haven’t been busy. Her too.” Lizzy was off the island right now with Lucas, searching for Riley. They’d gone to the mainland and had not yet returned.
    “Wow. I never thought I’d see the day my brother fell in love.”
    “Is it really that hard to believe?”
    “Yes,” she answered honestly. “And with Lizzy? Huh…”
    “Huh good, or huh bad?” he asked hesitantly.
    “Actually, I think, huh, kind of perfect . I mean, if you’re looking for someone to call you on your bull…”
    His breath caught an edge, he smirked, giving his head a self-admonishing shake.
    This conversation had not been easy, but was long overdue. And although painful in places, not so bad in the end. So why was it always so hard to get it going? And why did it always end up being a blast of admissions all at once, rather than sharing things along the way. This passive aggressive Howard trait needed a swift kick in the pants! And Charlie was determined to do better.
    “Not to change the subject,” he started a minute later. “I think we’ve been honest enough for one day. This whole thing between William and you, is this why he left the Isle?”
    “He said it had nothing to do with us . Only for some reason he would not say, he had to leave.”
    “You realize his sudden absence will only make him look even guiltier in the eyes of the law, right?”
    “Charlie, I know whoever killed that tourist on the beach is not William. I’d bet my life on it. He was in control when he came to me. He wasn’t crazed, or high on blood.”
    “I believe you,” Charlie said. “I’m just not sure how to prove his innocence to Mack. I wonder why he’d leave.”
    “Maybe he needed some space for a few days? Like you said, he did suffer terribly. Unlike anything I can even imagine. I was merely an observer.”
    “I’d disagree with that sentiment, Sis. You suffered. Differently, yes. But suffered nonetheless. Don’t degrade your feelings. They are valid. And yours. No one else experienced it like you did. Not even William. It’s okay to admit it, most especially to yourself.” 
    “Look at you,” she breathed out. “Being all smart and stuff.”
    “God. Don’t go telling anyone. Especially Lizzy. She’ll have my nose shoved in a book before I know what hit me.”
    “And I’m sure you want your nose shoved in… oh I so didn’t even start to say that. Moving on…”
    Charlie cleared his throat. “Yeah. Enough with sharing time. We can button it up, just a little. Siblings and love lives, not a topic I care to discuss in depth. Unless necessary,” he reminded, for her benefit. Any other idiot had the gall to treat her like Jerkface; he wanted to know about it.
    “Anyway,” she changed the subject. “William…”
    “Right. It’s not like him to up and leave.”
    “No. But this whole thing isn’t like anything we’ve ever gone through before. I guess we’re all dealing with it the best we can. He’s a vampire with ridiculous control, but maybe it was too much, even for him.”
    “My fear exactly. He is a vampire who experienced severe trauma and drank a ton of human blood. Who is missing.”
    “And a body turned up, death by vampire bite…” Melinda sighed. “Freaking perfect.”
    “Yeah. A second vampire on the island who is into drinking humans. Not a good thing. And not something I want to deal with today. Or tomorrow. Or next week.”
    Melinda tossed her brother a determined gaze. “I’d like to go home. I’m fine. Really, I am.” She shook her head. “Okay, not fine, but I’m okay. And that’s as good as it’s going to get right now. I’m sad. A little confused about some things, but what’s new? And I’m tired, but I’m healing, and I think I actually will go crazy if they make