Free Alabaster Nights (The Josie Hawk Chronicles) by Elle J Rossi Page A

directions in his ear. Her icy breath washed over his face and it was all Keller could do not to pull her into his arms and hold her close. “That’s not very far.”
    Josie nodded. “It’s far enough.”
    Wrapping his arm around her waist, Keller pulled her against his body. “Hold on.”
    No questions asked, she did just that. Keller flashed, flying Josie through the night. The cold bite of wind didn’t faze him. He’d teleported thousands of times before. Josie, on the other hand, tucked her face into the crook of his neck, shivered. Their destination came upon them quickly. He set her down in the middle of a park, held her close while she regained her balance.
    Josie pushed away from him, and hands on her knees, sucked in air. “Not fun, Irish.”
    “It can be. Eventually.” Keller scanned the area, noted they were no longer alone. Demon eyes glowed. The warlocks wouldn’t be far behind. “Josie.”
    She recovered quickly, palmed two blades and pressed her back to his. “I see them.”
    They would wait. Let the demons make the first move. They didn’t have to wait long. Three demons lunged out of the dark, maws gaping, toxic saliva dripping.
    Keller kicked and sent one of the demons sliding through the snow. He grabbed another out of the air, twisted his arms and yanked the head off. He tossed it away with a growl. Turning to assist, Josie, he smiled when she jammed her blade into the last demon’s gut and pulled straight up, exposing the innards. The demon hissed once and then slumped on the ground. Not dead yet, but soon.
    “Nice,” he told her.
    “Not bad yourself,” she said cleaning her knife off with a handful of snow. “I hope you don’t expect high-fives and shit.”
    Keller’s laugh was cut short as a blast of power sent him sailing through the air. His back slammed into a pole. He slid to the ground, landed on his hands and knees. A sharp, piercing whistle sounded in his head and Keller groaned in pain. He knew what the sound meant—knew his sire was summoning him. The elder had shit skills for timing. Keller pushed his palms against his head, but the whistle didn’t let up.
    It took everything he had, but he finally managed to block the sound. Josie cursed. Whipping his head up, fury ripped through Keller when he saw Josie surrounded by several warlocks. She lunged, kicked, and sliced with her blades, taking down more than her fair share. Keller roared, the sound coming from deep within, a base response to seeing his mate attacked, knowing he hadn’t much time before he had to return to his sire’s side.
    He took flight and landed in the thick of the mayhem. Instinct took over and Keller lost control. Back in full effect now, Death cheered him on, demanded no survivors. He tore through the remaining warlocks, Josie fighting at his side. He saw nothing but his next victim. Felt nothing but the need to protect.
    When there was only one left, he grabbed him by his lapels and the warlock locked eyes with Keller. Keller saw anger mixed with a hint of fear. His brethren had fallen. Death whispered, kill, kill, kill .
    “Look around,” he told the warlock. “This is your future.” He leaned in and whispered words that made the warlock’s skin turn as white as the snow. Keller shoved him away, doubled his efforts to block the summons. The warlock ran, lost his footing and landed face first in a snow bank. He lifted his head and looked over his shoulder. Keller nodded once and the warlock got up and fled.
    “What did you say to him?” Josie asked.
    Keller masked his pain and turned. Her hair had come loose from its braid. Red locks fanned out around her pale face. Light green eyes, bright and alive from the thrill of the fight, studied him curiously. Seeing her like this made the pain bearable.
    Knowing she wouldn’t appreciate the warning he’d sent with the warlock, Keller imitated what was quickly becoming Josie’s signature response and shrugged. “Just told him it was time to go