Free Tempted by Darkness by Avery Gale Page A

impressive even for a shifter.
    She didn’t cry, but her entire body was
shuddering and that was cause enough for concern. Pulling a soft
throw from the end of the bed, he wrapped it around her back
tucking it all around her and moved silently up the back stairs
until he reached their private suite. He’d grabbed the remote
control for the fireplace and turned it up before settling on the
large leather sofa facing the fire. She curled against him and
finally spoke, “I’m scared, Trev. There is so much at stake—so many
people’s safety and future depend on my ability to be able to
separate fact and fiction, and then I have to be able to do
whatever needs to be done. I’m not sure I can do any of those
things.” He didn’t respond because he knew her well enough to know
she wasn’t finished.
    Kit processed information at the speed of
light, but she didn’t work through her emotions nearly as quickly.
He’d always suspected she’d learned to distance her mind from her
heart as a way to protect herself from the judgment she’d felt as a
child, but he would never say that to anyone but Jameson.
Everything they’d learned about their mate indicated Kit’s mother
had been quite harsh, and even though it now appeared as though
she’d been trying to protect her daughter, the damage had still
been done.
    “We all know that I have no idea how I was
able to send Damian behind the seal. And if I don’t know how I did
it there is little chance I’ll be able to do it again. And I’m not
sure I’m really capable of hurting someone on purpose.” She
shuddered in his arms and he simply tightened his hold around her
shoulders. “It was one thing to react—you know, I didn’t even have
to think that night. I knew he was going to hurt you and Jameson,
and I just acted. But what if I can’t really pull that off again if
I’m not protecting someone I love?”
    “Baby, I think the thing you are forgetting
is that the only reason you would need to hurt anyone was to
protect those you love. There isn’t another reason, is there?” He
watched as her eyes widened in surprise, the understanding that
moved through her expression was comforting, but he wasn’t foolish
enough to think those simple words were enough. “I don’t think you
understand that magic is based on the power of the Universe and
that it’s been granted to you because your heart will always filter
it toward the side of light rather than darkness. It’s simply a
matter of who you are at your core. You are a good person.” He
threaded his fingers into her hair at the base of her skull and
tightened his grip, tiling her face back so he could look into her
eyes. “Your heart knows this, you just need to get your head out of
the way. I wish more than anything you could see yourself through
the eyes of others—because, oh how different your view would
be.”
    Trev wasn’t sure he’d ever meant anything
more. And feeling her relax in his embrace, watching as the tension
seemed to drain from her facial features, fulfilled a part of him
as her mate. Now if he could just help her through the coming weeks
when he knew her every move was going to be sliced and diced by far
too many people. The scrutiny would probably cause her to question
herself, but he hoped they’d made enough progress tonight she’d be
stronger the next time she felt vulnerable. “What I want you to
remember is that even the strongest person is vulnerable at times.
And that vulnerability isn’t the same as weakness. Vulnerability
keeps you grounded, it means your soul is capable of being open and
empathetic, and those are amazing gifts and rock solid
strengths.”
    The single tear that breached her lower lid
to slide silently down her cheek reminded Trev of the wax he’d seen
his dads use to seal important documents. That tear sealed this
moment in a way nothing else could. Slowly lowering his lips to
hers, Trev pressed a kiss of promise silently against her warm
sweetness. He’d