Ghost Stalker Read Free Page B

Niyanoka had long memories. Of a time when his people had banded together in an effort to take back the world from the humans who threatened the balance, and they had begun with their protectors.
    It took everything he had to meet the accusation in her eyes without turning away. Shame flared fresh andsharp. His father had killed many of her kind and he felt the weight of responsibility at the blood he carried in his veins.
    “My ribs are broken,” he said, knowing he would gain no sympathy, for though they were both born of the union of human and Spirit, they were also born enemies. Yet the Thunderbeings had brought them together, placed him at the mercy of one without any.
    He thought of what his father would have done had an injured Niyanoka fallen at his doorstep, and cringed.
    She rose to her feet but came no closer. Her hands shook as she removed her gloves, but she clasped them before her quickly in an effort to hide her fear. She couldn’t, of course, for he could smell it as clearly as he could smell the lanolin in the transparent gloss that coated her lips.
    “If they take you to the hospital, they’ll see what you are.”
    “So you decided to smother me.” The words cost him greatly, but he would not let her see any physical weakness. He kept his jaw locked against the grinding pain of each breath.
    “A poor attempt. I’ve spent too much time nurturing creatures. It seems I can’t even kill the dangerous ones.”
    So she counted him no more than a stray dog. His mouth twisted in a humorless smile.
    She glanced over her shoulder. “You can’t let them take you.”
    “You think I would do better in your tender hands?” He managed to lift one eyebrow and found that eventhat hurt. The possessed females had mangled his face with their acrylic claws. He was surprised to see her face flush, almost as if she regretted her actions. Could she have a conscience, after all?
    “We have a duty to our races. Your identity must remain secret.”
    “How?”
    “Is there someone you can call, some family member or friend?”
    Nick glanced away. He had employees, scores of them, all over the country, working on various projects to reclaim land into the wild, funded primarily by his investment company, Wolf Investments, which was a lucrative collection of managed sustainable funds traded on the S&P 500. But he had no family or clan or mate. He purposely lived a solitary life by design to keep himself from dangerous entanglements. Up until a few hours ago, he had never needed help from anyone. But all that had changed.
    “There must be someone.” Her voice held incredulity, as if it was impossible to find him so alone in the world. He staunched the pain that was a familiar companion. It was better than the alternative. He glared up at her.
    She understood now. He saw it in the astonishment rounding her eyes. Still it took another moment for her to fathom. His way was so different than the way of her people, who lived in small tight communities.
    “Where are your people?” she whispered.
    “I have none.”
    She nodded, as thoughtful as a priest hearing confession. “All right, then. No one can force you to goto the hospital. Refuse treatment and I’ll agree to keep you here.”
    “I’d do better lying by the roadside.”
    She glanced toward the door, hearing the approaching footsteps, at last.
    “They’re coming. I swear I’ll do my best to keep you alive if you agree to stay here.”
    He did not trust her, but he did trust the Thunderbirds. They had left him here for a reason. And even though he did not understand their purpose, he accepted it.
    “Yes,” he said, cradling his fractured ribs. Damned if he’d let her see his agony. The world swam, and next thing he knew, two young men knelt beside him. One looked like a young Abe Lincoln, all sharp angles and homely hollows, while the other had oily, blemished skin that said he loved fried food better than a long life.
    “Relax, sir. We’re going to take