Sacrifice Read Online Free PDF Page B

endless green lawn.
    When had they climbed a staircase?
    “You’ve had a trying night and it’s now midmorning. Perhaps you’d like to rest?” he asked gently. Under different circumstances, Emma might have believed he cared. “You can shower and change into clean clothes first.”
    Ignoring him, she pushed past him and laid down on the bed, her gaze focused on a tree in the yard.
    He moved beside her and hesitated before reaching down to caress her cheek. “It will get easier, Emma. I promise. Just take it one day at a time.” When she didn’t answer, he turned and left the room, shutting the door behind him.
    She closed her eyes, thinking that he sounded like someone who spoke from firsthand experience.

 
     
    Chapter Four
     

     
    Jake sat at a massive dining room table, dragging his fork through the runny eggs on his fancy plate. A wall of windowed doors looked out onto the gardens, a fountain in the middle. Shrubs shaped like dolphins and bears flanked the patio. A month or two ago he would have been curious enough to investigate. Now he just wanted to go home. Whatever or wherever that might be.
    Maria stood to the side, watching while he ate.
    “You must eat, Señor Jake.” Her thick black hair was pulled back in a bun. Her mouth turned down into a disapproving frown.
    “These eggs are gross,” he sighed.
    Maria reached for the plate, muttering in Spanish, as she took it to the kitchen doorway. She returned several minutes later with a plate full of fruit, scrambled eggs, and bacon.
    “This is better, no?” she asked with a kind smile.
    “Yes, it’s better. Thank you,” he said, picking up his fork. He wasn’t hungry, and while he didn’t understand all the thoughts in her head, he knew she’d watch him until he ate something.
    “You have such good manners, Señor Jake.”
    “Of course he does,” Aiden said, walking into the room.
    Maria jumped and crossed herself as she scurried backward, away from the table.
    Jake lifted his gaze from his plate. His grandfather walked toward him, a smile spread across his face.
    “Do you like your room?” Aiden sat next to him.
    Jake shrugged, tilting his head to study Aiden. He reminded him of Alex somehow. He just couldn’t figure out how.
    “It’s because we are both elementals.”
    “What’s that?”
    “It’s a bit complicated for you to understand, but we can control the elements. What you recognize is our power, the energy we emit. You’re a natural at it, which is why you came into your powers so much sooner than your mother. That and the fact that you have two parents who are elemental.”
    Jake twisted his mouth. “What about Will?”
    Aiden’s smile fell. A ripple of irritation rolled off of him, filling the room. “You don’t need to worry about Will right now. You have too much work to do.” Aiden looked up at Maria, his eyes darting with anger. “Why is he still eating? I told you to have him ready by now.”
    Maria’s eyes widened and she backed into the wall. “I’m sorry, Señor Walker. I—”
    “It’s my fault.” Jake dropped his fork on his plate with a clang. “I didn’t like the eggs and she got me a new plate.”
    Aiden watched Jake with a puzzled look, suspicion in his eyes. Jake felt him scanning his mind to see if he was lying. Waiting for him to finish, Jake tried to push into Aiden’s mind, hitting a solid wall.
    Aiden laughed. “You are kind to stand up for Maria.” His smile fell and his eyes hardened. “But benevolence is a weakness. Benevolence will get you trampled.”
    Maria made a gurgling noise and Jake turned to her. She grabbed her throat and her face turned blue before she fell to the floor.
    Jake’s mouth dropped open in shock.
    Aiden continued, ignoring the dead woman on the floor. “You need to be ruthless to defeat your enemies.”
    “Enemies?” Jake’s breath caught in his throat, forcing his words out in a wheeze.
    “Yes, and you must prepare to fight them.” Aiden stood.