The Phoenix Charm Read Online Free PDF Page A

imagined. A million times worse.
    While she struggled to breathe, Michael fixed his gaze on the three intruders and spoke. “Tell me exactly how this happened.” Gone was the playful tone. His demand cut through the silence sharp as a honed blade. The compulsion of his silver tongue dragged at her mouth to answer, making her mumble nonsense.
    All three Teg started talking at once until Michael pointed at Arian. “ You speak.”
    But all he told them was that Gwyn sensed the gate open and dispatched the gatekeepers to close the breach.
    Suddenly the female hissed, an eerie sound that set thehairs prickling all over Cordelia’s body. “Shield yourselves,” she whispered to her companions. “He spins silver shackles with his words.”
    All three Teg glowed, their skin luminous as though they were about to change back into orbs of light , but did n’t complete the transmutation. The leader pointed at Cordelia accusingly. “You piskies must have opened the gate.”
    She shook her head; her stomach knotted at the loathing in his eyes. “Would we be sitting here reading if we knew monsters from the Underworld could be skulking around outside?”
    He grunted. “The pisky king is liable because this happened in his domain. Protocol demands you accompany us when we attempt to close the gate.”
    “No.” Michael stepped in front of her. “I’ll be coming with you.”
    Cordelia tensed as Michael tried to take over. Then she realized Michael O’Connor was protecting her. She stared at the dark T-shirt stretched across his muscular shoulders. Why would he volunteer to take her place? She’d expect Niall to do such a noble thing, but Michael? She raised a hand, hesitated, then did what she’d dreamed of doing—touched him. Warmth flowed into her hand, zinged up her arm and through her body, defying the restrictive wards painted on her skin.
    He was dangerous to her equilibrium. So dangerous, she shouldn’t have anything to do with him.
    “Michael.” His name fell from her lips as a reverential whisper. He turned, so close his arm brushed her dress. She placed her tingling hand back on Tamsy. “I accepted responsibility for the troop. I’ll accompany the Teg. You have other duties.”
    “The babies,” he whispered , his gaze clouding.
    As if thinking of the children could summon them, Michael’s nephew Finian materialized on the carpet in the middle of the room.
    In a flash, Cordelia recalled Michael’s comment about the babies taking after his father and being able to walk unseen, disappearing from one place and appearing in another. What a terrible moment for Niall’s son to practice his new power.
    Michael lunged toward the baby, but Olwyn was closer. She snatched Fin up beneath the arms and held him while he twisted and kicked, reaching his chubby arms out to Michael, and crying.
    Michael halted, still as a statue, palms spread in a calming gesture. “Don’t you go hurting the lad. Give him to me.”
    Arian stood between Michael and Olwyn and flexed his spiked fingers. “The child is of the pisky king ’s blood?”
    Fear blossomed in Cordelia’s chest. Why did the gatekeeper want to know Fin’s bloodline?
    Michael’s strained breaths filled the silence.
    Arian jerked a single nod, obviously satisfied he was right. “The child comes too.”
    “No,” Michael and Cordelia answered in unison.
    The Teg leader appeared to grow in stature. Cordelia realized he’d floated a couple of inches off the ground. He pointed toward the door. “You both come with the child, or we take the child alone.”
    “Only if you give him back to me now.” Compulsion laced Michael’s voice, but all three Teg glowed, protecting themselves from the effect of his silver tongue.
    Fin wailed and wriggled in Olwyn’s arms. Arian glanced over his shoulder at her and nodded. She stepped forward and held out the child.
    Michael clutched Fintightly to his chest, his large hand cradling the boy’s golden head against his shoulder.