Free The Progeny (The Progeny Series) by Ashlynne Laynne Page A

happen if you don’t do it. While I don’t care about fighting the darklings, others might not feel the same.”
    “I know. I just don’t understand why it has to be me who seals to her. Why not one of you ...is it not the same bloodline?”
    “Old Klaus saw you .”
    “Do you mind if Shauna and I cut out of here early tonight? I’m taking her to see the new horror movie.”
    “ You’re asking me ? Hell, of course I don’t mind, considering you’re technically my boss. Just think about what I said. I know you think there is something there, but you need to be sure it’s worth risking your life.”
    Ascher was so engrossed in his conversation with Quinn that he never noticed Shauna arrive. It surprised him when she covered his face with her hands.
    Quinn gav e her a smirk and moved away.
    “You guys seemed pretty intense before I walked up. What was that all about?”
    “Quinn is a worry wart. He thinks we should be careful about our friendship.”
    “I agree with him.”
    “You do?”
    “I think we should take things slow. I’ve waited twenty-one years , and I’m in no rush.”
    Ascher wasn’t confused about what she meant, but he wasn’t supposed to have an inner channel to her mind. “Waited? Are you telling me that you’re a virgin?”
    “Is that so hard for you to believe?”
    “It isn’t the norm. Some women your age already have children and husbands.”
    “Catholic guilt, remember?”
    “You’ve had boyfriends, right?”
    “ I’ve had one or two but nothing serious. Definitely nothing physical.”
    A flustered frustration swept him. If she asked him the same question, he wouldn’t have that answer. Though he had no religious guilt about his lack of virginity, he loathed the fact that Ursula was his first experience. If he told Shauna that he was a virgin, it was only half-true. He’d never been with a human before, but he couldn’t blatantly lie to her when he was lying about so much already. “I’m not,” he finally blurted out.
    “You’re a guy. I figured as much.”
    Once he blurted the first part, the rest spewed from his lips. He had to admit that coming clean felt good. “I’ve only been with one person. It wasn’t serious, but we were monogamous.” Like that makes it better. “We broke up a couple of months ago.” More lies.
    “Do you think you’ll get back together?”
    “No. That was over a long time ago. You don’t need to worry. ” He took her into his arms, resting his lips against her temple. “I really enjoy spending time with you, Shauna.”
    His thoughts weighed heavy with the consequences of his decisions. So many were affected by his choice—his family, Ursula’s family and Shauna. He couldn’t deny what he felt. Ascher wanted Shauna more than he’d ever wanted anything in his life. It wasn’t just about the physical part. His heart wanted her, too, desiring for her to love him as much as he was beginning to love her. He was finally ready to admit it to himself—he was falling in love with her, and she was changing him. The raw reality of his emotions hit him like a ton of bricks. His actions, thought processes and reasoning were becoming that of a human .

Six ~ Decisions
     
    Sheridan, Massachusetts
    Ascher was wide-awake, staring at the blue walls of Shauna’s guest bedroom. She was stirring around in the living room attempting to be as quiet as possible.
    Their friendly date turned out to be a fun one. After the movie, they’d gone for coffee at a hip jazz café a couple of blocks from the theater. Only when the closing announcement came over the loud speaker, did they realize how late it was. They left the café and went back to her place.
    T hey’d talked until the sun came up, covering most of their early childhood during the conversation. She’d opened up, sharing some of the pain of her upbringing. He’d told her as much as he could without exposing what he was. Afterwards, she’d insisted that he stay over. Excitement made him