Free Breaking the Nexus (Mythrian Realm) by Lindsay Avalon Page A

peephole he made out Ian’s grim face. Wonderful, something had happened. Dammit.
    Opening the door, Connor didn’t waste any time. “What’s wrong?”
    Ian shook his head, pushing inside and locking the door before answering. “It’s bad. Where’s Sha?”
    “Sleeping on the couch. Spit it out, man.”
    “There’s been another murder.”
    Okay, that was bad, obviously, but not cause for the concern he could see in Ian’s eyes. There must be more. “And the rest?”
    His partner hesitated, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. “See for yourself,” he said finally, handing Connor a folder.
    Connor took it, motioning for Ian to follow him to the kitchen table. Opening the folder, he absently flipped through the pages until he reached the pictures taken of the victim. He grunted, feeling like he’d been punched in the gut. The latest victim was without a doubt connected to their other murders, the same runes and dismemberment were present, but there was one glaring difference. This time, the killer had targeted a woman.  
    A woman bearing an uncanny resemblance to a certain blonde and blue haired temptress asleep on his couch. Rage ignited within him at the clear threat to her safety. No question, this was meant to send a message, one Connor received loud and clear, though probably not what the perpetrator intended.
    Anyone who came after Sha would have to go through him first.

CHAPTER TEN

    Waves of anger beat at her, pulling her from a deep sleep. Someone was inches away from exploding and she was pretty sure it wasn’t her. Sha had some empathic traits, so it wasn’t hard to figure out they had activated and her instincts told her the emotions she felt belonged to Connor. Why was he in such a rage?  
    Well, she wasn’t going to get answers lying on the couch, comfortable though it was. At some point, Connor must have covered her with a blanket and her lips curved at the gesture. He wanted to fight the attraction between them, but that was okay; she loved a challenge and the compulsion to break through his defenses was strong.
    Hushed voices drifted from another room, sparking her curiosity. Ian must’ve come back but it didn’t explain the strong feelings rolling off of Connor. She even picked up faint traces of worry and anger from Ian. Alright, she had to know what was going on now. With a sigh she sat up, her head swimming at the sudden movement. Mother Night, her head was pounding . The banshee had been stronger than she’d anticipated and the amount of effort needed to break through the forces blocking her had drained her energy faster than usual. It had been years since she’d suffered backlash, but tonight she’d skirted the line of it. Thank the Gods she hadn’t; it could debilitate her for days if it was bad enough.
    She dropped her head, centering herself the way her instructors had taught her long ago. Sha was an oddity among the Sorceri in that she belonged to both Aquarum and Infernum classes. It wasn’t unusual to possess power in multiple elements, however, it was rare for a person to have equal strength in such polar opposites, not that she complained. The fire elements played a large part in her offensive magic, but the water traits were particularly helpful at aiding her in grounding herself as well as minor healing.  
    Drawing on the Aquarum gifts, she worked to block out the burgeoning headache threatening to transform into a full-blown migraine. The cursed banshee was still causing trouble, even after being decimated by the energy burst. When the pain subsided to a dull throb, she decided it was time to announce she was awake and ready to receive the bad news.
    She rose, padding toward the sound of the men. Connor was holding a folder, hands clenched so tightly his knuckles were white. Hearing her steps he turned toward her, a muscle ticking in his cheek, fury blazing in his eyes.
    Hoping for a little levity, she smiled at Ian. “I take it you aren’t bringing news