Tempted by Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page A

described.
I’ve always felt a particular interest in the young man, perhaps
that’s the reason. But, that isn’t the reason you are here, is
it?”
    Kit nodded, hoping the gesture conveyed her
respect as well as her agreement. “No it isn’t. But thank you for
your patience while I tried to take everything in. And you’re
right, it is intimidating, but it’s also magnificent.” She paused,
letting her gaze taken in each of the witches and wizards sitting
in front of her, “I’ve come to ask permission to use every resource
available to me to bring Angie Wolf-Michaels home safely.” Kit
didn’t see any reason to waste the Council’s time, plus she was
more than anxious to find Angie and return her to her mates.
    Several of the Council members raised their
brows, but Cecil was the one who spoke, “Kit, perhaps you need to
clarify any means necessary since all of us are aware that
you’re still training.”
    “Yes, and the temptation to step over the
line is even more powerful when you are new.” The wizard who had
spoken the words smiled, but his eyes were filled with concern.
    “And you have an emotional stake in this if
I’m not mistaken.” Kit nodded at the witch who had made the
comment. The woman was stunning, Kit had no idea how old the woman
was, but she hoped she would age as beautifully as the witch who
was now blushing a lovely pink. “Thank you, my dear. I assure you
beauty is a double edged sword as I’m sure you already know.” Kit
smiled in return and nodded, because she did indeed know what it
was like to be judged on her appearance and not her mind.
    Kit couldn’t argue with anything they’d said.
Each Council member who had spoken had raised legitimate
concerns—her only hope was to assure them she had a strong enough
sense of right and wrong to avoid the pitfalls she knew others had
fallen prey to. “You are all right. Each of you. But I assure you
I’m not easily swayed and my sense of right and wrong was firmly in
place long my training started. I’m not willing to sell my soul to
Damian. We all know he is seeking an alliance, not to possess me.
He needs both Braden and I in order to gain the type of power he
seeks. Damian is not a fool, he knows I’m more powerful than he
is—I’ve already proven that.”
    Cecil leaned back in his chair twirling a
fountain pen so quickly between his slender fingers Kit worried ink
was going to start flying everywhere. He studied her for so long,
she had to fight the urge to fidget. He finally leaned forward and
asked, “Are you willing to take Ruby with you? Absent that, we’d
have to find another mentor and that would take time. And I’m
worried for the young shifter’s safety already. She’s an amazing
physician and there are great things in her future—she’s destined
to make remarkable contributions to the care of children. She and
your friend, Libby, are going to be quite famous—well, assuming we
get her back quickly.”
    “Agreed. These sort of things tend to derail
people from the path their souls outlined on the other side.” This
comment from the youngest member of the group, a woman who looked
so tiny Kit wondered if she was sitting on a booster seat. Her
purple robe shimmered like silk and stood out from the more sedate
robes the other members wore. When she smiled at Kit, the warmth it
inspired was almost a physical reaction. How odd. It felt like
she wrapped me in a warm breeze. At that thought, the woman
merely nodded. The young witch’s magic left Kit feeling as though
she’d been hugged by a long lost friend—it was both comforting and
unsettling in its familiarity.
    Turning her attention back to Cecil, she
noticed his lips quirked in a knowing smile. “Yes, sir. I am more
than willing to take my grandmother along, but I want to be the
lead on this. I’m not willing to take chances with her safety and
I’m worried her reactions aren’t as quick as they once were.”
    Most of the members chuckled softly and