Free Illusions (Night Roamers) Book Four by Kristen Middleton

up Victor’s security. He was only worried about the main house.”
    “So, what exactly do you want, Drake?” I asked, putting my hands on my hips.
    His lips twitched and I could tell from the wicked gleam in his eyes that he wanted more than anything I’d ever give him. “I’ve been wanting to get you alone for a while,” he replied. “There’s –”
    “You’re not exactly subtle in your approach to women, are you?” sneered Nathan.
    Embarrassed, I scowled at my brother.
    Drake chuckled. “ Although I find you irresistibly fascinating, Nikki, this has nothing to do sex.”
    I felt my cheeks grow warm. “Uh, I didn’t think so,” I replied quickly. “I mean, I knew it had nothing to do with… that.”
    “Ethan and I are friends,” he explained. “I’d never cross that kind of line. Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate his taste in women.”
    My eyebrows shot up. “ Ethan? What does anything have to do with him?
    “Yeah,” said Nathan. “Besides being a trai tor and a royal douchebag, how come you’re being loyal to one of Victor’s enemies? I thought you took care of him anyway.”
    He lowered his voice. “There are things going on here that you don’t understand. Hell, I don’t completely understand them myself.”
    “What do you mean?” I asked.
    He sighed. “Let’s just say that what you think you know… you really don’t.”
    “S tory of our lives,” I answered dryly.
    “ I know you’re confused, but believe it or not, I am on your side.”
    I snorted. “You’re on our side? Right.”
    “Seriously I am,” he replied. “Let me explain.”
    “Yes, please do,” I replied.
    “If you’re on our side, why are you helping Victor?” asked Nathan.
    “And where is our mother?” I added.
    Before he could respond, there was a creak on the roof.
    “Someone’s here,” whispered Drake, his jaw clenching. “Fuck.”
    “Maybe it’s a squirrel ,” replied Nathan, staring up at the ceiling.
    “It could be Duncan,” I whispered.
    “Stay here,” ordered Drake, moving toward the doorway.
    “ No, I’m coming with,” I answered, following. “Nathan, you stay here.”
    “Screw that,” replied Nathan.
    “Just stay with your brother,” answered Drake.
    “Fine,” I answered.
    Drake flew to the roof as soon as he stepped outside , and immediately, we heard sounds of a scuffle.
    “Shit, we need to help him,” said Nathan, running outside.
    As I followed him out, there was a loud grunt from Drake, who tumbled off of the roof and landed in the snow. We both rushed over to him.
    “Oh , my God,” I whispered, staring at his headless body.
    Nathan turned around and threw up in the snow, while I scanned the top of the garage, terrified that whatever had attacked him would come after us next. Suddenly, there was a loud screech , followed by a flapping noise. When I looked up into the sky, my heart stopped. A gargoyle-like creature stared down at me from above as it circled us.
    Faye?!
    I quickly grabbed my brother and flew him toward the cabin. Shoving him inside, I hollered, “Lock the doors and have your gun ready!”
    “Nikki!” he yelled back. “ What the fuck?! Stay away from that thing!”
    “I think it’s Faye,” I said. “She might have gotten to Duncan, too. I have to go after her and find out.”
    “ No you don’t! She’ll kill you,” he shouted. “You saw what she did to Drake!”
    “I’ll be back,” I replied, ignoring him.
    “Nikki!”
    All I could think about was Dun can and what she could have done to him. Although I was frightened, something deep inside told me that I had to follow her or I’d never get to see him again. I leaped into the air and took off after her.

Chapter Thirteen
     
    Nathan
     

     
    When Nikki left Nathan alone in the cabin, he began to pace. The fact that she had taken off after Faye alone was eating him alive. He felt like a damn pansy. He had no special powers, and although he could still out-bench most of