Thornhill (Hemlock) Read Online Free PDF

inadequate.
    “What—” Kyle’s voice was a shock-choked rasp. He had to swallow and start again. “What are you doing here?” Something sparked in his eyes, and before I could answer, his lips were suddenly on mine, crushing and hungry and maybe a little desperate.
    We were standing in the middle of a werewolf bar in a strange city, but it all faded as I wrapped my arms around Kyle’s neck and kissed him as though we were the only two people in the world.
    After a moment, he let out a rough sigh and eased back slightly. I pressed my cheek to the cotton of his shirt—the gray Arcade Fire shirt he’d been wearing the day he left—and listened to the rapid thud-thump of his heart. Even for a werewolf, it seemed to beat too fast.
    Kyle pressed his lips to the top of my head. “Idiot,” he breathed. “I can’t believe you came after me.” The words were chiding, but the tone was gentle. Almost relieved.
    I pulled back just far enough to stare into his eyes. “What did you expect us to do?”
    “Us?” Kyle scanned the room. His gaze focused on a spot just over my shoulder and his eyes darkened.
    I turned.
    Jason.
    “He wanted to help.” I wasn’t sure why I felt the need to explain. Despite everything, they were best friends. Of course Jason had come to Denver.
    “You shouldn’t be here. Either of you.” Kyle put a hand on my back and steered me toward the stairs.
    I sidestepped him. Hating the way my voice trembled, I said, “You’re coming with us, right?”
    “I . . .” Kyle shook his head. “The reasons I left haven’t changed.”
    Jason was close enough to hear. “Come to the motel. We’ll talk. If you still want to stay, we’ll go, but you at least owe Mac that.”
    I caught a flash of brightly colored fabric near the stairwell. The giant who was supposed to be watching us had one hand wrapped firmly around Serena’s arm and was searching the room. We were out of time.
    “Please, Kyle.” I didn’t want to beg—shouldn’t have to beg—but I would. “Just come with us for a little while.” If we could just talk to him away from this place, he’d see that he belonged back home.
    The Adam’s apple in his throat bobbed as he swallowed. “I can’t. It’ll just make things too hard. Trust me.” His hand was suddenly on my back again, steering me forward. I twisted away as Jason grabbed his arm.
    “What about how hard this is on Mac? Have you thought about that?”
    Kyle pulled free of Jason’s grip. “Stay out of it, Jason.”
    “I can’t. I’ve spent the past four days watching her get her hopes crushed and listening to her cry when she thought I couldn’t hear.”
    I froze. Our second night in Denver, I had given in to the tears I’d been holding back since leaving Hemlock. I’d tried to be quiet—locking myself in the bathroom and burying my face in a towel—and I had thought Jason was asleep, but he had heard.
    He had heard and hadn’t said a word.
    Jason didn’t look at me; he was totally focused on Kyle. “The guy I know would care about that.”
    “You think I don’t care?” Kyle’s laugh was so bitter it sent shivers down my spine. “Everything I’m doing is because I care.”
    He turned away.
    He turned away and everything happened too fast.
    Jason grabbed Kyle’s shoulder and Kyle shoved him. Hard. Harder than he meant to, judging from the shock that flashed across his face.
    Jason stumbled six or seven feet, collided with one of the pool tables, and slid to the floor. A group of werewolves looked up from their game.
    I stared at Kyle, angry and bewildered and beyond hurt. This wasn’t how things were supposed to happen. “That’s your best friend.” My voice cracked. “He came to Denver to help find you and that’s your response?”
    I went to Jason’s side and reached down to help him up. “You okay?” He hesitated, then took my hand and staggered to his feet.
    “Sure,” he muttered. “My week’s not complete until someone hits me.” He