Free White Lies: (The Uruwashi Series #4) by Christina Moore Page A

that wasn’t the cold. The look in his eyes said he’d surprised himself with the outburst as he had Tristan. “I can fend for myself. Just because you’re an Uruwashi doesn’t mean I can’t help. I probably know more about them than you do.”
    Dammit, where was the off switch on this kid? Between him and the kitsune, all of Tristan’s secrets were being given to the enemy.
    There was a soft clapping, muted by gloves, and Tristan shot Wren a dirty look.
    “I don’t deserve your help, Simon,” he muttered. He didn’t know if Simon heard him, but he wasn’t about to tell the poor kid right then that he’d had a part in his brother’s (probable) end and felt guilty for it even if it was inevitable. “Please, just go.”
    “But I—”
    “This is all very riveting,” Wren said. “But, if you don’t mind, you and I have business to discuss.”
    Tristan barely had enough time to take his next breath before Wren shot forward. A splattering of snow pelted Tristan’s face and he gasped, jumping back. Wren’s hit was easily deflected and Tristan gave an angry cry, realizing the vampire was just toying with him again.
    Every time Tristan tried to counter the vampire’s blows, he was driven further and further back, forced to maintain a defensive. It wasn’t until he noticed the sounds of Desmond and the troll growing distant that he realized what was happening.
    Wren let up long enough to allow Tristan an offensive swing, but it was already too late. Swords crossed, the vampire smirked at Tristan’s obvious revelation and shoved him away, jumping back at the same time.
    “Son of a bitch,” Tristan groaned. He’d been lured away from the others. He was facing down a vampire alone.

6: T ea
     
    SILENCE from the ancient vampire was usually a much welcomed respite. In this moment though, it was beyond irritating. Thankfully, with more than mild persuading, Ash had convinced Yukihime to place that thing outside, away from her. She could still hear Malik from this distance, but he was content with quietly listening to the tense silence between the two Masters. As if he were poised to snatch up a carelessly spoken word and use it against Ash, make her pay for his death and ultimate confinement.
    Ash shuddered, too aware of the third presence. Jaw tight, unwilling to give shape to her words, she bit out, “It was all a farce, was it not?”
    Yukihime looked up slowly. She was in her trance again. Curse these episodes. The woman was all but useless during these spells. Hopefully she would recover quickly because Ash had no time to waste and even less patience to give. If she had to tear through every bit of this house to find her book, then she’d do it. Anything to get that book back. Anything to better things between her and Tristan.
    “ Nani ?”
    “Come now, Master,” Ash said with a sarcastic tone, trying to pull her back. “I may not be able to read your mind, but I know you. Why do you think I agreed to stay? I am never want to waste my time.”
    The ancient vampire smiled, almost looking herself again. “Yare yare, there is a troll.”
    Ash raised her eyebrows in question. “Who?”
    “Oogui.”
    “Oogui? Isn’t she—”
    “Hai, hai,” Yukihime interrupted. “Desmond’s orders are only to relocate her.”
    Relocation? Well, Ash wished the others luck if this was the same stubborn Oougi she’d crossed paths with some years back. Oogui was not a danger in any sense of maliciousness, but she was rather dumb and a troll’s size made them more than clumsy. “And the true objective of today’s farce?”
    The older vampire didn’t even bother feigning innocence. “Oogui was squatting… but only because there was a vampire there.”
    “Yukihime,” she chided.
    “Don’t get yourself all bent out of shape, dear, it’s unsightly. He’s only a vanilla, even our virgin Uruwashi can handle a vanilla.”
    “Who?” Ash pressed.
    “Uh,” Yukihime floundered a moment, bit her lip and then