Rival Demons Read Online Free PDF Page B

Order, I would run until the end of time. But they
would find us. They would kill us both. The Underground is our only
chance. It's the only place you'll be safe."
    I pulled away and leaned against the side of the
cliff. This couldn't be happening.
    "Harper, please." Jackson stood behind me, the
warmth of his body against my back. He leaned his forehead against
the back of my head, but despite his closeness, I could already
feel a deep well growing between us. "Please."
    Tears streamed down my face. There was no
winning this argument. He had already made up his mind.
    "Okay," I said. My heart shattered deep inside
my chest. "I'll go."
    I didn't want to look at him. I just wanted to
stare out at the ocean and let the sorrow crash over me like a
wave.
    But Jackson pulled me closer. "Harper, look at
me."
    I met his clear green eyes as he leaned in to
kiss me one last time.
    Our lips were wet with salty tears, and for a
moment, I thought I might drown in them. I wrapped my arms around
his neck and pulled him close as if he were my life-raft. The kiss
deepened and he pulled me tighter, both of us desperate for it to
never end.
    But eventually, all things must come to an
end.
     
     
The Closest Thing I have
Left To A Family
    Back inside the cave, I sat beside Mary Anne and
waited for her to wake up.
    Jackson and Lea moved toward the entrance to
discuss plans for the journey to the Underground, but I wanted to
be as far away from them as possible right now. Inside, my heart
was breaking. How could Jackson do this to me? How could he sweep
me away to this place, give me hope of a better future, then take
it all away? It wasn't fair.
    I couldn't imagine a life where I would be
standing next to him, yet forbidden to touch him.
    I would go to his Underground. Get my strength
back. Learn to take control of my own magic so that someday I would
be able to leave and fight the Order on my own. There was no way I
could stay there for the rest of my life.
    Beside me, Mary Anne shifted and moaned. I
leaned over her and felt her forehead. Her fever seemed to have
passed, but her skin was still deathly pale except for the red
scratch across her cheek.
    Jackson was hoping to leave this afternoon, but
I wasn't so sure she'd be ready to travel.
    Her eyes opened slowly and she squinted up at
me. "Harper?"
    "Hey," I said with a smile. "How are you
feeling?"
    "Like I got bit by a tiger," she said. She
laughed, then winced and grabbed her side. "There's something I
never thought I'd say."
    I shook my head and felt the guilt tear through
me. "I'm so sorry," I said. "I got you into this mess."
    Mary Anne placed her hand on mine. "It's not
your fault," she said. "I came here of my own free will."
    I paused. "Why did you come?" I said it softly,
not wanting her to think she wasn't wanted. I just didn't
understand why she risked her life to come save me.
    She held both hands out to me so I could help
her move into a sitting position. It took her a few seconds to get
herself upright, but when she did, the color started to return to
her cheeks. "You're the closest thing I have left to a family," she
said simply. "I wasn't about to let them hurt you. Besides,
eventually the Order would have figured out that I was the one who
told Jackson where to find you. I don't think they would have liked
me too much at that point."
    I raised an eyebrow. "You have a point
there."
    "So what are those two up to over there all
secret-like?" She nodded toward Jackson and Lea at the cave's
entrance.
    I turned to look at them, an instant pang biting
into my heart. Lea was a demon and therefore, completely fair game
for him. He said his feelings for me wouldn't change, but who knew
what might happen after years of being in the Underground? And the
two of them already had a past I didn't understand.
    I did my best to shake it off. "They're planning
our trip to the Underground."
    Mary Anne grabbed a bottle of water and just
nodded. Apparently, the Underground was not news to her.