Free On Wicked Ground (Solsti Prophecy Book 4) by Sharon Kay Page A

Sebastian? And how did this all happen? “I have so many questions,” she mumbled into Ashina’s shoulder.
    “Me too.” Ashina stroked her hair. “But we’ll do our best to figure it out. Between me, the witch staff, your sisters, and your dad, I hope we can put the pieces together.” She pulled back and grabbed a tissue. “Can your dad come here? I’d like to talk to him. I don’t even know where you guys live.”
    “Oh, um, we move around a lot.” Alina bit her lip. What would her newfound grandmother think of her being a thief? Would the Watchers punish him for teaching a Solsti to live a life of crime? “I’d like to talk to him first, before he—that is— if he comes here.” She glanced around. “I don’t even know the coordinates for this place.”
    “Not many do. The only civilians that come in are escorted by Watchers.”
    “That might freak him out.” I know that will freak him out.
    “I understand. But he would be escorted, not harmed.”
    “I’ll talk to him.” Alina looked down at her clothing. She still wore her heeled boots, leather pants, and bustier, which were all covered in grime. Her arms too, and her fingernails looked like she’d been digging in the dirt. “Is there anywhere I can shower?”
    “Sure, right through that door.” Ashina pointed to the right side of the room. “I’ll bring you some clean clothes.” She disappeared, and Alina climbed off the table. She walked to the bathroom, and flipped on the light. It was a basic hospital bathroom. Tile floor and shower…wait. She had to crane her neck to see the showerhead. Wow. Then again, Watchers were all so tall, it made sense for the showerhead to be eight feet off the ground.
    “Here you go. I hope something in here fits. We don’t usually have patients at all, let alone ones as petite as you.” Ashina set the clothes on a chair.
    “Thank you.”
    “Give a yell when you’re done. I can get you some food or whatever you want.” Ashina backed out of the room and closed the door.
    Alone, Alina stared at her pale reflection in the bathroom mirror. She looked as filthy as Caine, except for the left side of her forehead, which had been cleaned and bandaged. Gingerly, she patted the skin around the bandage, relieved that the numbing cream was still going strong.
    She cranked the water in the shower and the room filled with steam as she stripped off her clothes. Stepping under the spray, she sighed as the water fell around her like a liquid cocoon, wrapping her up in her thoughts.
    I’m a thief.
    I’m a Solsti.
    I should be dead. Twice.
    Both when she was little, and again tonight. She didn’t know who or what had saved her the first time, but she would never forget the demon who’d saved her tonight.
    Though he’d dragged her into a tiny dark room, backed her up against a wall and kissed her senseless, she trusted him. They were virtually strangers, yet he’d taken her from the rubble and into a safe place. His home.
    She peered up at the rainfall showerhead installed three feet above her head and scrunched her nose. Maybe more of a fortress than a home, but still, this was where he slept.
    The urge to go to him hastened her movements. When she got cleaned up, finding him would be her first priority.

 
     
    C HAPTER S IX
     
    C AINE BEE - LINED FOR THE medical wing, drawn by the scent of moonflower and the need to lay eyes on Alina again, to make sure she was real.
    Solsti.
    Holy hell. That was the last thing he’d expected.
    The debriefing had gone on for hours, during which time he’d given his account of  the night’s events and learned about the Raniero-Ashina-Solsti connection.
    Another thing he wouldn’t have imagined. The tough Watcher he’d fought alongside was technically a grandfather? Caine could almost smile at the idea, if the reality wasn’t so sobering.
    He pushed into the emergency room and found it heavy with Alina’s scent but empty. Turning to scope out Ashina’s office, he stopped