Free Forbidden (A Serian Novel) by C.T. Nicholson Page B

denial. He and Anara didn’t really know each other, so there was no way he could love her.
    "Is she pretty?"
    He choked on the tea lodged in his throat and felt the flush of heat warm his face as he remembered their kiss, and her body pressed against his.
    "Ah, he's blushing. He does think she's pretty."
    "How romantic! He really did step out of a book. Making his way through obstacles to capture the one he loves." Betty said, hand over her heart.
    They all followed with a dreamy sigh.
    "She's my job, nothing else." What could he tell them? His job consisted of taking her back to another world where they would kill her. Or he could just tell them that laws kept him from being with a half-breed. Not that he was doing either of those things. He'd help her and then leave her to live out her life without him causing her death.
    "Oh, horse feathers! No matter what you say, she isn't just a job."
    "Nope, you're head over heels, young man, and you don't even see it. Let yourself follow the truth. Nothing's more important than love."
    Ryder needed to get far from these ladies, before he ended up believing them. He started to deny again, but an older man in overalls walked in.
    The man nodded at Ryder and glanced away, before his gaze jerked back to Ryder. After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke. "I've got a car for you, if you're ready." He held the keys out. "Just need to get some paperwork filled out and some identification."
    Ryder was glad they had identities for situations like this."Thank you lovely ladies for everything, but I should really be on my way." He kissed their hands and started to the door.
    "Thank you. We'll see you again, I'm sure. Let us know when the wedding is." They all giggled as he stumbled out the door.
    Ryder tried to forget their words as he opened his mind in search of Anara's direction. He could feel her without using his gift, but he couldn't get a clear read on her location. Once he found her, he drove toward her.

 
     
    Chapter Thirteen
     
     
    Anger. Confusion. Lust. No matter how far away, she felt everything. An invisible chain held their connection together. She knew his every move, his every emotion. And still with no understanding why.
    She stood with her toes covered in warm sand, about five hours away from where she left Ryder. A light breeze came off the Ocean, cooling her. Seria had sand, so the cool grains didn't impress her as much as the ocean did.
    A feeling of peace came over her as she listened to the waves crash down and let the water sweep over her feet before disappearing back into the vast ocean. How could anyone live without the beauty of Earth? The real masterpiece. She’d read many books about Earth, but her imagination didn't compare to the true beauty before her.
    Laili would've loved it.
    She ended up at the ocean searching for Nasim, a half-breed with the Antika gift, and the only one who could help her. He used to chase her down using his speed and, even as a child, he could carry both Talia and her at the same time without even a little strain. She also remembered how he cared for all of them. Nothing and no one ever hurt them with him around.
    She closed her eyes and followed the trail that led to her long-lost brother. She could see his energy inside the home. Something about him seemed different, but she didn't hesitate to step up to the red door and knock. No answer, so she knocked harder.
    The door swung open. She gasped. A black gun pointed at her face. Her heart pounded as she shifted her gaze from the weapon to the stormy gray eyes she remembered so well. Her brother.
    "Who are you?" he demanded as he studied her closely. His brows rose at her obvious loss for words.
    "A-Anara." She stuttered her name. Her hands shook with anticipation. Trying to rid the lump in her throat, she swallowed.
    His face went from serious to shocked, before he wrapped his large arms around her without warning.
    "Too tight." She barely squeezed the words out as her air supply