Shadows of the Past Read Online Free PDF Page A

matter what he did, she was going to be skittish. Well, there were a whole lot of things he wanted to do to the little woman, but she was a fraction of his age. She was certainly fae, but acted more human.
    Shit, now he was curious who her family was. He only knew one fae who shared her last name. Paavo was from the water realm, and in a solid relationship with another fae of similar background.
    “Well? I just want to help,” he said softly, hoping she would say yes because he was only going to heal her. Besides, her delicate wrists were raw and blistered, and he knew they had to burn. If she would let him, he could fix it easily.
    “Why should I trust you?” She breathed the words, barely whispering , but she didn’t break eye contact. Amethyst was captivating. She was so little, and temptingly seductive without trying. Even in the cargo pants and plain tank, she was still feminine.
    Of course she was afraid of him. He knew she’d been held by the Silver Council after being wrongly accused of enthralling someone. Hayden couldn’t wrap his head around why anyone would do anything so unjust to her.
    “I just want to help you. I can take the pain away,” he promised. The burns were minor enough that he could erase the damage. Something major and he wouldn’t have been able to do much good.
    Amethyst shoved her hands behind her back and shook her head before looking down at the ground.
    It dawned on him then. “Do you believe all fae heal with lust or love?”
    She didn ’t answer, just shook her head again.
    “Amethyst, I don’t heal that way, I promise.”
    “I may be a nymph, but my brother is more siren. I know how we all heal.”
    “Paavo?”
    She nodded slowly. At least he knew her brother. Worst case, he could call him and have him talk to her.
    “I only have to touch the burn, not even all of it. I can get Paavo on the phone to see if he can explain. He is an old friend of mine.”
    “All right.” Her voice was soft, delicate, and her pouty lips turned down in a frown. One tiny hand came out, held in front of her, but she still wouldn’t look at him.
    “Is that a yes?”
    She nodded, and he wished he could see her eyes, but she kept her gaze anywhere but on him. He sighed and gently took her forearm with one hand, tracing over the burn with the fingers of his other as he focused his energy to smooth her skin and ease the pain.
     
    * * * *
     
    The big sheriff was oh so gentle, sweet even. His magic felt good, soothing the burn almost instantly. “Tha…oh…I,” she stammered as she remembered you weren’t supposed to thank the older fae. It wasn’t that he looked old, but his power had the feel of an elder’s magic. It hummed through her and wrapped around her like a blanket.
    If he was even a tenth as old as she thought, she probably shouldn’t want to lick him like a giant lollipop. And she didn’t have much experience with too many fae outside her family.
    “I may be older, but I’ve been here long enough to live as a human. Thanking me won’t insult me.” His smile was genuine and pleasant, his gaze stayed on her eyes when she finally looked up at him. “Can I see your other hand?”
    She swallowed hard and let him. Again, he was gentle, nothing sexual there. She could have done it by stealing lust from someone, or well… she wasn’t going to think of that. Then again, he didn’t seem to desire her which was disappointing, even though she was not going to be getting naked with him, or anyone.
    “Thank you. I should go to my Jeep. Fallon wanted me to meet her at In 2 Deep. She has the key to the apartment.” By that point, Amethyst could really use a drink, or two, to relax. Maybe she’d be able to keep her mouth shut then.
    “I’ll drive you to your car, and then show you where the bar is. Then, if you’d like, I’ll show you where they live after you unwind a little. I’ll even help you unpack.”
    “I can manage,” she frowned, tired of being treated like a stupid