Wings of Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page A

brown stone as the tower itself. Sprinkles turned to a moderate rain, leaving dark splotches on the stone.
    “Go on inside,” he said, pointing to a wide door between the windows, the sources of the illumination.
    “Do you always leave the lights on?”
    “Landing lights. Unlike demons, I can’t see in the dark.” He hurried across the terrace.
    The rain came harder. Saffron rushed for the door and pushed it open. She stepped into a rectangular, single-room home the breadth of the tower. Wall sconces and a cast iron hanging fixture provided light. Raindrops tapped against the wraparound windows.
    Damn. How much trouble would this shower cause the demons looking for Thyme?
    “Coming through.”
    Saffron sidestepped. Kestrel carried a pile of loosely folded blankets inside and spread them on the floor.
    “You can have the bed.” He tossed a pillow down on his blankets. “I usually sleep on the floor, anyway.”
    “Outside?”
    “Yeah, when the weather cooperates. Oh, and don’t worry about the clock tower, by the way. No bells.”
    She glanced out the windows and fidgeted. “Thank you. For back there.”
    “Quite the view, isn’t it?” He grinned.
    The entire moment was remarkable. Not just the view, but the means by which he delivered it. Plus, seeing a playful side of him was very endearing. “There are no words. So, just, thank you.”
    “You’re welcome. Let’s see, I don’t usually have…” He paused and looked around, scratching his jaw. “I’ve never had an overnight guest. It’s a relatively new home.” He pointed to heavy drapery that covered part of one wall. “Bath is through there. Light switch is on the right.”
    “May I have some water?”
    “Sure.”
    Walking across colorful wool throw rugs, she followed him to a tiny but elegant kitchenette in the far corner. She glanced around the room as she walked and collided with a firm wall of feathers.
    She gasped and jerked backwards. “Sorry!”
    “Do you have a death wish, Saffron?” Kestrel turned away from the sink, his tone full of warning.
    “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
    “What’s so fascinating?”
    “The photos.” She tipped her head toward the wall between two tall bookshelves, adorned with framed aerial views of the colony, lakes and streams, and sunsets.
    “Ah, yes. You’re a photographer. Think those are any good?”
    “They’re gorgeous.”
    He set a glass of water on the counter next to her. “Thank you. I wish I could say I put thought into them like I’m sure you do into your work, but those were lucky in-flight shots. I’ve tossed a hundred awful ones.” His tone grew icy. “Now, about your punishment.”
    She took a step back. “Excuse me?”
    “You touched my wings.”
    “It was an accident.” She lifted her chin and rolled her shoulders back, trying to look tougher than she felt. She could try hitting him and running, but where to? If there were stairs, she didn’t see them. “You said you wouldn’t hurt me.”
    “And I won’t.” He grinned. “But, fair is fair.”
    “Huh?”
    He lowered his head, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
    He was teasing her! She closed her fingers into fists. Perhaps she would hit him, after all. Drawing out her words, she said, “That was not funny. Ciboire. ”
    Kestrel sobered, but the grin didn’t entirely fade. “My apologies.”
    She folded her arms.
    He closed the space between them. When he smoothed his hand over her shoulder, his touch calmed her. A little. He wasn’t getting forgiven that easily.
    “It’s very intimate for us to have our wings touched,” he murmured. His hand traveled up her neck. He rubbed her earlobe between his thumb and forefinger.
    Oh, the cheater! Damn him. How did he know having her ears touched could turn her into a puddle of goo? Her breath hitched from the pleasure flooding her system. A sensible part of her wanted to object, the ticked-off part needed to object, but the part that melted under the