rogue shifter 06 - torn apart Read Online Free PDF

be that I hadn't thought this through all the way.
    "Maybe there won't be a war," I suggested with a shrug.
    "If you truly believed that, then you would not have risked summoning me."
    I huffed in exasperation. "Fine. Yes, I want you to train him to fight against the demons who'll come to kill him. Not all of demonkind, just the ones who want to kill him and Garrett and our friends and allies."
    He tilted his head in thought. "And you believe that I will not be among those demons coming to kill you? Even though I serve your archdemon grandmother, the Bassilissa Naberia? You understand that she is my mother, do you not? I believe it was your sister who let that cat out of the bag."
    I hesitated for a few heartbeats, then said, "I don't believe that you serve my...your mother."
    His eyes widened. "You sound certain."
    "You serve your own interests, Isaiah. And it's in your own interests to protect Charlie."
    "Why would I risk my mother's wrath to protect your son? Of what use would he be to me?"
    "I don't know. I just feel that you want him to live. I can't explain it."
    My eye was drawn to him as he lowered himself gracefully onto the edge of the fountain, his eyes narrowing as he mulled over what I'd told him. Isaiah, with those golden brown eyes, thick chestnut hair and a 6'6" lean muscled body was pretty much a rock star in the looks department. He even had the same bad boy temperament. Today I was hoping for his more reasonable side to make an appearance.
    He crossed his leg, resting his foot on his opposite knee. "If I agree to train him, to serve my own interests as you say, I will expect a high payment."
    "He's family. You're his great-uncle."
    He shook his head. "I have over a hundred demon relatives that I care nothing for. Right now Charlie is an infant who only needs a warm bed, the milk you provide, and a clean diaper. I do not know what you expect me to do for him at this age."
    "What age could you begin?"
    He shrugged. "Six. If he's strong and smart, then perhaps five."
    "How often?"
    "Three consecutive days a month. I cannot be away from my home for longer because Mother will be suspicious. She expects me to be available to train little demon number two."
    He was referring to my twin sister, Bridgett, who'd turned traitor and gone to the Demon Realm with our grandmother. I'd taken her in after the death of her father, the alpha of the Brownlow wolf pack, who'd been executed by Liam for imprisoning and torturing fae. Liam had wanted to execute her as well, but I'd pleaded with him to spare her life, creating a temporary rift between us which had just about broken my heart.
    Bridgett had seemed to be happy, even falling in love with William, a young member of Garrett's nest. But when the Queen of Faerie showed up at Kennet's trial and killed Will in front of all of us, Bridgett flipped. She turned her back on those of us who'd helped her, vowing to return with an army to kill the Queen and any fae who got in her way. If any of us allied with the fae, she said she'd kill us too.
    "So you'd come to my home to train him after his fifth birthday?"
    "If I agree, then I will come to evaluate him at that time. If he is ready, then I will stay for three days. I will begin by teaching him to understand my language. Make sure that your seelie fairy friends teach him theirs."
    "They plan to."
    "And you? What will you give me in return, Jacqueline?"
    His eyes were gleaming with orange streaks which meant he was still really pissed off. "What kind of payment do you want?" I fisted my palms, frustrated that my voice still sounded shaky. This wasn't a time to show any weakness.
    A slow smile spread across his face. "In exchange for my coming to you to train Charlie three days a month, you will come to me three days a month. To my realm—to my home—to work for me."
    "Doing what?"
    "Oh, there is plenty to do." He grinned in a way that made me shiver.
    "I won't have sex..."
    "I have told you before that I am not drawn to you in