Kindled (Book 3 The Kindred Series) Read Free Page B

Devon had ever come across as she sauntered slightly forward, swaying her hips invitingly. “You didn’t give me a chance,” Chris said softly.
       She chose to ignore him as her gaze remained pinned on Devon. “What’s your friend’s name?”
       Chris glanced apologetically back at him , shame colored his fair cheeks . “This is Devon.”
   “Hello Devon,” she purred, thrusting her hand out. He chose to ignore it.
       “ Cassie’s boyfriend,” Chris added pointedly.
       Her eyes widened slightly, she licked her lips as her eyes raked over Devon once more . “Whoever would have thought it fr om little Cassie.” Devon’s ire spiked up a level, his hand s clenched the arms of the chair. “I’m sure you’ve taught her a thing or two. I could teach you more.”
       Revulsion and anger curdled through Devon’s stomach . Chris launched to his feet , his chair skidd ed back a few feet . “That’s enough!” he snapped. “Don’t you have a stranger to ent ertain?”
       Her sapphire eyes narrowed fiercely. Devon rose slowly, stepping forward he rest ed his hand lightly on Chris’s shoulder. Chris fairly vibrated with anger, his shoulders were set, his jaw locked as he glared at his mother. His eyes smolder ed with ire and humiliation. “I assure you that I am a far worse abomin ation than your son,” Devon informed her quietly .
       Her eyes flickered, her eye brows dr e w sharply together. She looked confused for a moment, and then his words finally pierced her alcoholic stupor. She took a step back, fear blaz ed off of her. “What do you mean?” she whispered. She glanced wildly at Chris, her heart thump ed loudly; her terror was nearly palpable in the enclosed porch. Chris gave her a brief nod, confirming the fears and doubts rolling through her.
       “Why don’t you go back inside now. ” Devon’s voice was low, urging. Though he didn ’ t use his power of mind control, the tone was compelling enough to make her step further away. Nodding rapidly, she spun ungracefully and hurried inside, glancing briefly over her shoulder before disappearing in the house.
       Chris’s shoulders slumped; he ran a hand wearily through his hair. “Sorry bout that,” he muttered, looking defeated and beat.
       Devon shook his head, squeezing Chris’s shoulder briefly before releasing him. He turned back toward Cassie’s house. No wonder Chris had spent most of his nights there, escaping from the woman that was supposed to be his mother. “Lily’s death really hurt you to o. ”
       Chris glanced at him, shrugging his broad shoulders. “She was a wonderful person.”
   Devon shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes.”
       “Not to mention you and Cassie are killing me. I can’t keep her fury tuned out, and you wandering around like a kicked puppy is really starting to get on my nerves.” Devon quirked an eyebrow, not at all amused to be called a puppy. “The both of you are enough to drive a person crazy.”
   “And you can’t deal with your own grief.”
       “No .”
       Devon turned back to the window, watching as the snow drifted slowly down. It was beginning to stick to the sidewalks and road s now. From inside, music started to play. Apparently Chris’s mother had decided to bury her fear in a party. Digging in his pockets , Devon tugged his keys free , slipping the key to his apartment off he hand ed it to Chris.
       “Stay at my place tonight.” Chris glanced sharply at him; his eyes darted down to the key in Devon’s hand. “It’s quiet there, and maybe it’s far enough away that you can escape m in e and Cassie ’s emotions for the night .”
       Chris shook his head. “I can’t leave Cassie .”
   “I’ll be here. She’ll be fine. You need to rest; you’re starting to look like hell.”
       Issuing a sharp bark of laughter, Chris shook his head. “That’s the pot calling the kettle black. ” He took the key from Devon’s