Homecoming Read Online Free PDF Page B

you are finished, she goes.” If word of this got out, he’d have a pack of outraged council members on his hands. In the old days, Sylphs weren’t allowed the freedom to come and go. Entire communities died if they did.
    Maybe this one didn’t know what she was. Maybe there were no hunters with her, but he hadn’t been made Lord of the Haunt to take those chances.
    Her eyes flared. “Well, of course, darling, ” she agreed acidly. “After all, we wouldn’t want any unsavory humans loitering about, now, would we?”
    Scenting trouble, he stalked her, stopping inches from her and bending his head to stare her down. They were not going to fight about this issue. It was going to happen his way. “I’m gratified we understand each other, wife.” Before she could snarl out a denial, he snapped, “Bring her, Keilor. Let’s finish this.”
    Keilor opened the door and a petite young woman, surprisingly young, hurried in.
    Dressed much like Rihlia had been in pants, boots and a short-sleeved shirt, her brown
    hair was slightly flattened and rumpled, as if she’d recently removed a hat. Reeking of fear, she relaxed only when the door was safely shut behind her. The black and white dog at her side gave a glad bark and charged forward to greet Rihlia.
    She laughed and knelt down to hug her dog, fondling her ears affectionately.
    “Good girl, Lemming! You found me, didn’t you?” Then she looked up at her friend, and her eyes glittered with tears as she stood up. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” she murmured, and embraced her in a crushing hug. “I thought you’d never get here.”
    The girl pulled back and gave her a wobbly grin. “Blame it on your map. You forgot to mention that last curve in the road.” Her smile faded as she glanced at Jayems and Keilor. “What’s going on, Wiley?”
    “It’s …” Rihlia broke off and looked at them. Jayems stood with his arms crossed, making no attempt to appear friendly. Already he could smell the insidious pheromone, and it was trying to scramble his thinking. He’d expected to feel the surge of arousal, but hadn’t expected the pheromone to make him feel favorably inclined toward the girl.
    Protective, even. It made him scowl harder and think dark thoughts.
    Keilor perched on his desk, feet crossed at the ankles, his expression cool. He must have been similarly affected, but was hiding it well.
    “I don’t suppose we could have some privacy?” Rihlia asked coldly. Jayems inclined his head, indicating that he had heard her, but he didn’t move. He wasn’t about to let them make plans in secret.
    She muttered something under her breath and led their guest to the far end of the room, sitting down with her on a couch. Lemming came up and nudged Rihlia’s hand, and she absently stroked her while she explained.
    “We’re on another world,” she began slowly.
    Her friend glanced at the triple moons visible through the huge window and looked back at the door. She nodded slowly in agreement. Oddly enough, she looked more thoughtful than rattled.
    Rihlia watched her carefully. “I was born here.”
    “It explains a few things. Go on.”
    The men exchanged glances. Her calm acceptance was light years beyond Rihlia’s wild panic.
    Rihlia took a breath. “The guy who brought you here is my cousin, Keilor.”
    Jasmine’s eyes darted in surprise to Keilor, who watched her with wary distaste.
    He raised a dark brow at her in mocking acknowledgment of the introduction.
    “You have my sympathy,” she snapped.
    Jayems hid a reluctant smile. It was refreshing to see a woman repulsed by his handsome cousin. In other circumstances he’d love to tease Keilor about it.
    Rihlia smiled wryly. She didn’t even look at Jayems, just jerked her head slightly in his direction. “The other guy is called Jayems.” They were both quiet for a moment. At last Wiley said stiffly, “They won’t let me go home, and they want you to go back right away and forget you ever saw