Night Whispers: ShadowLands, Book 1 Read Online Free

have tried to go there for help. Erik was a civilian, so maybe he wouldn’t have known about the plan to split the government up, half to Raven Rock and half to Cheyenne Mountain. But Timothy was probably high enough up the chain to know. He could have told him. And Erik would have run here, because we were hungry and scared.” It was the first lead she’d had in almost eighteen months, and damn it, she was taking it.
    “So you took off because of Erik? Jesus—”
    She tried to head off his irritation. There weren’t many more gifts she could lay at his feet. “I figured this would be perfect. I could check out the place with a troop of well-armed soldiers. I have my own set of skills. I would be help, not dead weight.”
    “Congratulations. That’s the same argument I made to Gabriel when he asked why I suddenly decided you were a vital part of this operation.”
    The guilt of being the reason he was lying to his superior hit her like a whip. “I’m sorry.”
    He sighed. “And we’re back to square one. Jules. Honey. We don’t know what’s going on at Cheyenne, but Erik’s been gone for almost two years. I understand he was important to you, but you can’t put yourself in danger to go chasing after rumors.”
    “I don’t have anything else to go on.”
    “Don’t sound like that. Don’t cry.”
    Her eyes were dry, but her spirit did feel heavy with melancholy. If she could cry right now, she would. “I’m not. If you only knew—I have to do this.”
    “Yeah. I know. No hero complex, huh?”
    A tickle of laughter warmed her. “Not at all.”
    He let out a groan. “I’d like to talk about this some more, but you need to hit the road.”
    “I’ve got to get rid of the bodies first. Can’t leave a contaminated scene out here.”
    “But then you won’t get to Denver tonight.”
    “The envoy from your neck of the woods won’t be there until tomorrow, right?”
    “Yes. They’re scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon.”
    “Then I’ll bed down here and head on out in the morning.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “No choice, it seems. Don’t worry, I know this is my first time out in the big bad world, but I can’t imagine things are so different here. It’s not like Cali is so damn civilized or anything.” The state was too large and had been too well populated for an uneventful post-Illness world. Sometimes she felt like she could patrol the same square mile and find new Shadows or some human hidden away that she’d previously missed.
    “One thing is different. No one who can get to you reasonably quickly if you need them. No outposts or Sanctuary.”
    “What would I need? I can take care of myself. Now don’t waste my time arguing.”
    “Fine. Find someplace safe to sleep tonight. Check it carefully.”
    “I will.”
    “Don’t waste the remaining precious daylight scouting for humans. I don’t care if you have a hunch your recently turned Shadow’s parents are in the next neighborhood. And if you do see any, remember not to go running right up to them. Scope them out and make sure they don’t wish you ill.”
    “Yes, James.” Lord, was he going to go over all her training again? She picked up her blade.
    “Call me if you need anything. I’m always here.”
    Yes. He was. “Sure thing, don’t fret.”
    His tone dripped with disdain. “Fretting is for old women, not fit, wildly brilliant young men at the height of their physical stamina.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Eat something. You’re skin and bones.”
    “Goodbye, James.”
    The smile in his voice warmed her. “Bye, Jules.”
    There was no magic poof to tell her that he was no longer with her, but she knew. She felt empty and tired. She replaced the book back on the shelf as carefully as if a crusty librarian were going to show up and cluck at her for putting it in the wrong place.
    She really ought to burn the bodies of the Shadows she’d killed, but she wasn’t certain she had the time to drag them all out of the building.