The Devil’s Kiss Read Free Page B

trembled. I froze, meeting her terrified gaze, then I saw her injuries. Blood was seeping from too many wounds to count. “She’s hurt,” I stated harshly.
     
    “We cannot heal her,” Valor said softly. “She won’t let us get close enough to offer aid.”
     
    I glanced back at Kyden. “This may be harder than I thought.”
     
    “She is very frightened.” His gaze locked on the wolf, in classic concern for Nexi protective mode.
     
    “What can you do?” Valor asked urgently.
     
    Before I had a chance to respond, Briggs shouted, “You must do something! Please, you have to help her.”
     
    My brows furrowed a little at his unexpected outburst. “Are you okay, Briggs?”
     
    He looked about ready to explode. He shook his head, his eyes tight with emotion I had never witnessed in him before. “You need to help her.”
     
    “Do you know her?” Kyden asked the obvious question as he examined his friend inquisitively.
     
    “Not until tonight. I had never met her before but…”
     
    As the silence grew thick, my gaze lingered on the trembling wolf. Suddenly, a light bulb clicked on. Briggs was attracted to her. Which came as a shock, since he’d never seen her human form, nor had an actual conversation with the little wolf for that matter. I could only assume it was some wolf thing I didn’t understand.
     
    “How’s fluffy doing?” A loud voice came from behind me.
     
    When I looked back, a woman around my age entered the room. Her shoulder-length hair flipped out at the ends, brown eyes surrounded by thick beautiful lashes and a pouty mouth that people paid good money for. She was one of those —the naturally beautiful type—I wasn’t even sure she was wearing makeup. Instantly, I was envious of her. It was obvious from the pajamas she wore, she had just got out of bed. When I wake up, I look like something that came out of a tornado—nothing like this loveliness in front of me now.
     
    Valor’s growl came loud and rumbled along the floor. “Isla, I told you not to come in here.”
     
    She huffed at him, dismissing his remark with a wave of her hand. “Whatever, old man.”
     
    Holding back my laughter was impossible, realizing just who she was. Valor had once said that I reminded him of Isla, his daughter. Immediately, understanding dawned.
     
    Valor gave his daughter a reprimanded look, before he did turned toward me. “Nexi, this is Isla.”
     
    Isla’s eyes widened. “Nexi.” She stuck her hand out hurriedly. “It’s great to finally meet you.”
     
    I shook her hand and nearly had my arm ripped off by her fierce handshake. When she let go, I flexed it a moment just to get the feeling back in it. “Nice to meet you too.”
     
    Isla’s chin lifted as if she’d just received the compliment of the year. “Kyden,” she said, keeping her eyes focused on my face.
     
    “Pleasure to see you again, Isla,” Kyden responded, even though she didn’t appear at all interested in him.
     
    “Now go back to your room,” Valor ordered.
     
    She snorted, snapping her gaze to her father. “Get serious! I’m not going anywhere.”
     
    Valor’s looked at me with perfect understanding. “I did tell you once, didn’t I?”
     
    I nodded, laughing. “You did.”
     
    Isla turned on him, squared her shoulders, her hands firm on her hips and even threw in a stomp of her foot. “What did you say about me?”
     
    “Nothing of importance,” Valor laughed.
     
    Through the laughter, came a low harsh growl. Then unexpectedly, Briggs shouted, “Isla, go back now. We do not have time for your games. Get out.”
     
    Isla looked completely shocked, which was soon replaced by a pissed off beauty queen. “You don’t talk to me that way.”
     
    Briggs stepped closer, glared down to her. “I will talk to you however I damn well please. We need to help this wolf and you are wasting time.” He pointed to the foyer. “Now go.”
     
    Kyden reached out to Briggs, placed a hand on his