Sought...Book 3 in the Brides of the Kindred series Read Online Free PDF Page B

rest for a little while before you attempt
that.”
    “Of course. Deep will be in no shape for any
kind of bonding activity for awhile anyway.” Closing his eyes
again, Lock could feel the echoes of his twin’s agony. But Deep was
still shut tight, conserving every ounce of his strength to bear
the pain.
    “His wounds will heal fast,” Mother L’rin
predicted. “Lashes inflicted with psychic pain always do and Twin
Kindred are quick healers anyway. The strokes hurt three times as
much as physical wounds but they mend three times as fast as well.
When Deep’s back is mostly healed, then you may attempt to finish
your soul bond with the lady Kat.”
    “And after we do? What then?”
    “Bring Kat back and let me examine her.”
Mother L’rin put a withered hand on Kat’s shoulder. “I’ll tell you
what to do then if she survives.”
    She has to survive. Please, Mother of All
Life, let her survive, Lock prayed fervently. Do not let my
brother’s sacrifice be in vain. Do not let the pain he feels count
for nothing.
    Kat was crying again. Tenderly, he wiped the
tears from his cheeks, wishing he could ease her pain, wishing he
could share Deep’s agony. But he was shut out from both of
them—unable to help either of the people he loved.
    Lock had never felt more alone.

Chapter Five
     
    The human female was troublesome.
    It annoyed Xairn the way she cried when he
came near her. Later, when he offered her no harm, she began to
talk to him and that was even worse.
    “Please,” she whispered the third time he
brought her food and water. “Please, I’m so cold. It’s freezing in
here and I don’t have any clothes.” She was huddled in a corner of
the bare nine by nine metal cell she was being kept in. Her knees
were drawn up to her chin and she had her arms wrapped around her
legs but even so her smooth, light brown skin was covered in chill
bumps.
    “It is the AllFather’s wish to keep you as
you are,” Xairn said stonily. “I only obey his orders.”
    “But you’re not like him.” She leaned
forward, her eyes wide.
    At least they aren’t green. Instead
they were a brown so light it was almost golden. Amber, maybe.
Xairn shook his head. “You’re wrong. I am exactly like him. I am
his son.”
    “That doesn’t matter. You may have his…his
eyes…” She swallowed nervously. “But you don’t feel like
him.”
    “I haven’t laid a hand on you. Nor will
I.”
    “I didn’t mean feel in a physical
sense.” She picked up one of the nutra-wafers he’d pushed over to
her and began to nibble it. “I meant, whenever he’s near me I sense
this…this evil. Hatred, malevolence—call it whatever you
want, but he carries it with him like a cloud. With you…” She
shrugged and took another nibble. “I don’t feel that.”
    Xairn thought of telling her she would soon
feel a great deal more. The AllFather was only abstaining from
taking her until he reached his peak, when his seed would be most
potent. It was only a matter of days—weeks at the most—before this
human female became the new mother of the Scourge race.
    She would probably lose her mind in the
process.
    It doesn’t matter. Nothing matters.
    “I am his son,” Xairn repeated, not having
anything else to say. “I obey his commands and do his bidding.”
    “Not always,” she said softly. “Yesterday I
told you I was hungry. Today you brought me three of these
cardboard pop tart things instead of just one.”
    Xairn frowned. “I have to keep you in good
physical condition for the AllFather. I have been charged with your
wellbeing.”
    “Still, I want to thank you.” She looked at
him earnestly. “Maybe someday I can return the favor.”
    “You will never be in a position to do me
any favors.” Xairn turned to go.
    “Please…” Her voice tugged at him for some
reason and he looked over his shoulder.
    “What is it? I have other duties besides you
to attend to.”
    “I’m cold,” she repeated. “If you could just
bring me