Jewel of Atlantis Read Online Free PDF Page B

moments before.
    If she were with him, he could make sure she didn’ttell anyone about his mission and compromise him. But if he rescued her and she conveniently “forgot” to help him find Dunamis, if she tried to harm or stop him… He sighed.
    I would never harm you.
    He was going to liberate her, and he knew it. No use trying to talk himself out of it. He’d save her and force her to help him, if need be. And he’d do it for reasons that had nothing to do with that I’m-waiting-for-you-to-find-and-fuck-me voice.
    I am not!
    At her outrage, he lost some of his anger. To be honest, he was looking forward to seeing Jewel and hearing her voice in person, to coming face-to-face with the woman who could read his mind.
    The cobbled path twisted sharply to the left, scattering his shadowy cover. He quickened his pace until he maneuvered back into the deepest darkness. Up ahead, the road stretched for miles.
    Maybe he’d get lucky and stumble upon a massage parlor. “Do I have to walk this entire road to get to you?”
    At first, she said nothing. Then, You’re going to help me?
    “We’re going to help each other. Isn’t that the deal?”
    Yes. Yes! Oh, thank you. You won’t be sorry.
    Joy and shock and excitement radiated from her words, and he imagined her dancing…wherever the hell she was, wearing nothing but a skimpy black leather halter top and a smile.
    Another bout of silence erupted, before she humphed and said, I’m wearing a long white robe that covers me from head to toe, if you must know.
    “Way to ruin the fantasy and cause Private Happy to hide.” He tried to sound stern, but his amusement seeped through. He’d never had this much fun teasing a woman. “I think we picked the wrong name for you. I think I should call you Prudence.”
    Do it and your Private Happy will receive a proper introduction to my knee.
    A rich, husky laugh escaped him. “Ah, Pru, we’ve got to loosen you up a bit. Show you the advantages of being wicked. I’ll add that to my ‘To Do’ list.”
    Yes, well, you can be here in two days, she said, changing the subject.
    “Two days?” He so did not want to endure another two days in this hellhole.
    Just go around the far hill, past the sheep farm—
    “Over the river and through the woods, then down the yellow brick road. I know.” He exhaled. “One thing at a time, babe. One thing at a time.” Maybe two days wasn’t such a bad thing. It would give him a chance to rest up, rebuild his strength. “I’m still needing that hot meal, bath, and soft bed.”
    Oh, yes. Of course. The sheep farm has everything you need.
    Three hours later, the darkness waned and Gray reached the farm. He performed a perimeter check and discovered the owner asleep in his bed. The man/thing possessed the top half of a human, and the bottom half of a chestnut horse, complete with tail and hooves. Dear God.
    Don’t hurt him. Please.
    Silently Gray withdrew a tranq-filled gun from his backpack and with a quick shot to the horse-man’s neck, injected him. The creature jerked, then stilled completely. This was the only tranquilizer Gray had brought, and he hated to use it now. At this point, however, he would have injected his own father if it meant eating a hot meal without interruption.
    When Gray was assured the creature wouldn’t awaken for hours yet, he strode into the kitchen and dropped his backpack on the freshly polished wood floor. The place reminded him of a country cottage, complete with straw beds, wood-burning stove, and fresh, home-cooked scents.
    He filled a clay basin with water, stripped to the skin, and washed himself as best he could, taking care around his wounds. He slathered those with antibiotic ointment before slapping bandages over them.
    Be gentler, please. You’re making me cringe.
    He arched a brow. “Can you see me?”
    Only through your eyes.
    How prim she sounded, he thought, smiling, just before he looked down.
    She gasped.
    He chuckled. “I think General