Free Lost In Time: A Fallen Novel by Christie Palmer Page A

that thought come from?
    He held her a little closer remembering the conversation they had had in the plane. She had looked at him then like she had known exactly what he felt. No one had ever looked at him like that. Not even Jessica, he snorted especially not Jessica.
    He shook those thoughts away. He had more to worry about then the way she looked at him. He scanned the skies but Calliope had disappeared. Frustration coiled in the pit of his stomach. Why had she done nothing but stare at the Reaper, listen to him?
    They had lost the opportunity to take Calliope. And he pulled Celeste closer trying to figure why she tripped up his mind like she did. There was something about her that made him want to touch her. To caress her skin? If he could, he should slam his own head into the stone of the building. He needed to get away from her. She was driving him nuts. Never in his life had he raised a hand to a female and now he had choked one unconscious. For the love of all the gods, what was he becoming?
    He vaulted down into the dark alley and took her back to their hotel.
    What was he going to do with her? He had been searching for months for Calliope and the minute he hooks up with the Demon, Calliope pops out of the air.
    Literally.
    Marcus wondered for a moment whose side she was on. But Dante’s daughter? He couldn’t imagine she would turn against her father and brothers. The Reapers were a lot of things, but loyal to each other was their highest priority.
    If this had happened with any of the Tracker brothers, they would have killed her on the spot and walked away with a clear conscience. Marcus couldn’t kill like that. He had to have reason and proof. It had to be justified. He looked back down at the woman. She was beautiful. He had let that sway him. That utter look of innocence, not beguiling or cunning, just innocence had starred back at him as he tried to choke the life right out of her. He had the proof he needed, had seen her talking to Calliope. She hadn’t even attempted to pull her weapon out.
    Marcus pulled his gun out and pointed it at her. She was a Demon. They were the most untrustworthy Others. They killed and maimed, ate raw meat. They survived like scavenger, and she hadn’t even tried to stop Calliope, he reminded himself. That was the most damning. But the look in those violet eyes, rimmed with dampened eyelashes as if she had been crying, swayed him.
    Swearing, he put his gun away. Just shooting her wouldn’t kill her. Besides, she was Dante’s daughter. There would have to be more to it than just pulling a trigger. He slammed his hand against the wall. He never felt helpless, never was at a loss. He swung around and glared at her.
    “Who’s side are you on?” he growled.
    The sound drew a moan from the bed. Her eyes opened, not quite focused and were slightly glazed. Dark bruises were starting to show on her throat. Blood vessels had burst in her eyes. When she was finally able to focus, she glared at Marcus.
    “What the—” she tried to say, but her voice was scratchy and she reached up to touch her throat. She opened and closed her mouth several times. No words came out. She gave him such a pitiful look he couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for her. He went to the phone and ordered a very rare steak. Food would increase her ability to heal.
    When he was done, he turned back to her. She was still looking at him like she had never seen anything like him before, like he was the Demon.
    “What did you expect? You stood there talking to the enemy for ten minutes.”
    She shook her head. “Not ten,” was all she was able to get out. He couldn’t stand to listen to her scratchy voice and went into the bathroom he got her a glass of water.
    “Long enough for you to have pulled out that fancy Sword and kill him. But what did you do? You decided to have a little conversation with him? Pass on information on what our plans are?” Marcus was working himself up again.
    She only shook her