The Men of Otherworld: Collection One Read Online Free PDF Page A

the guy at the front of the pack with her. I’m human . I’m a cop, not a warrior. Even with the Nectar of Life, I’m still so…weak compared to her.”
    Sharah nodded, soberly. “In Elqaneve, we have a saying. Thinkers plan the wars. Warriors fight the battles. Without one, the other cannot function. Both are necessary, and both have their places. But it’s hard for a thinker…a planner…to match pace with a warrior. And vice versa.” She paused, then cocked her head to one side. “Is that the only reason?”
    Chase smiled gently, taking her hand. “No, I didn’t break up with her just because I can’t run to her rescue. I’d be a poor excuse for a man if that were the only reason. Ever since I was given the Nectar of Life, I’ve been changing. The future seems so nebulous now. Before, I had it all planned out and now—conceivably, I have a thousand years ahead of me. I have no clue what that might bring. It’s not that I don’t want to commit to a relationship, but Delilah…a thousand years with her? I don’t think it would work.”
    “If your heart tells you that it was the right decision, it’s good thing you paid attention.” She paused, then shook her head. “Wait…did you say you broke up with her ?”
    Chase grinned. “You thought she broke up with me, didn’t you? You were just too nice to say so. You think that I’m nursing unrequited love and regret?”
    Sharah blushed and covered her face with her hands, laughing. “I admit it—yes, I did. I thought I was—”
    “A rebound fling?”
    “Something like that.”
    Chase scooted over so that he could slide his arm around her shoulders. She leaned against him and it felt like a perfect fit. “Sharah, I never ask anybody out on the rebound. And I never ask anybody out that I don’t find attractive, or interesting.” He tipped her head up so she was staring him in the eyes. “I asked you out because I like you. You’re lovely and talented and…I asked you out because I wanted to do this.”
    Slowly, he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers. As he sunk into the kiss, the scent of orange blossom and honeysuckle coiled around him and he lost himself in the feel of her soft body pressed against his. Eventually, someone would come destroy the zombies, but for now, he thought, the morgue bathroom seemed like the perfect place to get to know one another.

Ink Bonds

    There was a point where Trillian realized he needed to find Camille again, and this time, he would never let her go. This story takes place shortly before Witchling.

    Trillian strode through the city. Y’Elestrial hadn’t changed a lot since he’d last been here, but he had changed. Last time he left, he swore he’d never return. When Camille had rejected him, he’d pursued her, begged her to reconsider, but she had shut him out and refused to see him. Even though they were connected by an unbreakable bond, she’d pushed him away and sequestered herself in her house. So, he had walked out of the city, angry and seething. That had been twelve years ago, and during all that time, he had thought about her every day. Every time he touched another woman, he saw Camille’s face. Every time he heard a throaty laugh, he would turn around, hoping to see her standing there. But he never thought he would actually step back through the gates of Y’Elestrial. Until he was hired by Queen Asteria for a mission that he couldn’t refuse. One that might give him the chance to find the love of his life. Again.

    Trillian stared up at the palace, then back at the orders in his hand. The last name on the paper brought back good memories. The first one? Bad memories.  
    Darynal clapped his back. Trillian had asked his blood oath brother to come with him because otherwise, he wasn’t sure he’d have the courage to go through with the job.  
    “You okay? You still want to do this?”
    Trillian nodded. “Yeah, but to tell you the truth, I have no clue what I expect.” His gaze