rogue shifter 07 - cut off Read Online Free PDF

silver-plated portal. The young goblin was still screaming in her language as they forced her into the large cell. The door closed with a foreboding clang.
    "She will die quickly but the pain and the terror will be great. You could have drained her into death, but chose not to. It is a much more peaceful way, I believe. Next time you will obey me, or all the females I bring you will die as the goblin shall."
    Still unable to move on my own, Fionna forced me to face the cell. "Watch what you've done." As she regarded the spectacle, her own fangs grew, claws sprouting from her finger tips, her dark purple eyes sparkling with a golden lust. My stomach twisted into knots.
    The slaugh's chains fell away and then the slaughter began. He killed without finesse or mercy, simply tearing into her throat with his claws and his fangs. I didn't fight against the spell, feeling that I should be present for her final few moments, but my anger burned deep as the innocent female was ripped apart and then consumed.
    "I'm afraid she won't satisfy him for long. The next female will need to be larger, perhaps part seelie fae." The sport over, Fionna had transitioned back into her extraordinary form, a brilliant mask that concealed her black and rotted soul. She looked me over with irritation. "I'll keep you awake so your hunger grows."
    Returned to my dim cell, I leaned my back against the stone and bent my knees, the wall supporting my slow descent to the ground. I was trembling with the need for blood, especially after watching that brutal display. To block out the physical, I forced my mind to go over what I'd learned.
    "The bartering for your life has already begun." What deal was she hoping to broker with my life? Surely she didn't expect Jackie to exchange herself for me? Or a fae? Or—shit. My stupidity was monumental. She wanted my son. That could be the only answer.
    I leaned my head against the cold wall and smiled. Jackie would never exchange Charlie for me. Caelen would protect them. Relief seeped into my body like a tonic, allowing me to relax and ignore the painful cramps and headache.
    Fionna would not get what she wanted and would take it out on me. I could survive torture, and had many times, but never the loss of Jackie or Charlie. Closing my eyes, I forced the pain away and dredged up a happy memory spent with my family.
     
    Charlie and I were shooting hoops in the driveway. "Dad, how come you're a cheetah and a vampire?"
    "I was a cheetah for a hundred years before I was made a vampire. Fortunately, I was still able to keep my cheetah gifts."
    "I wanna be a vampire, too. Can you make me one?"
    "First of all, I'll never make someone vampire."
    "Why?"
    "I'd have to kill them first. It's murder. Secondly, only humans can be made. It won't work on a fae."
    "How about demons?"
    "Nope."
    "No fair. You can move faster than anyone."
    "You'll be able to travel the ley lines like Mom and I can one day. Then you'll get places just as fast."
    "Yeah, but if you made me a vampire, I could move fast right now."
    "Why this sudden interest in speed?"
    "Jay's legs are longer so he runs faster than me when we race or play soccer."
    "Jay just had a growth spurt. You'll have one soon and then when your cheetah powers kick in you'll be faster than Jay."
    "Yeah?"
    "Yep. And don't forget, if you were a vampire, you'd have to drink blood and stay inside during the day. No more deluxe burgers or pancakes or ice cream."
    He looked at me in shock. "Oh, yeah. I forgot about that stuff. I guess I can wait."
    "Wait for what?" Jackie had gotten home from doing her errands and was walking toward us in that feline way that made me want to kiss her.
    "A growth splat."
    "Spurt."
    "Right." Charlie grinned as she giggled.
    "You're already taller than me and you're only eleven," she complained. Jackie was 5'9".
    "Jay's taller," Charlie said, scowling
    "He's older," Jackie replied.
    "He's always gonna be older. Does that mean he's always gonna be taller?"
    "Not