Marked By Lies: A Reverse Harem Series (The Marked Series Book 1) by Paige Orr (best english books to read for beginners .txt) 📕

Thank fuck for all those shooting lessons I took after my mothers death, because both bullets hit their mark, dropping the two shooters. The only man left must know that he’s fucked, because he tries to make a break for it. I leap to my feet, following closely behind him, but I never took into consideration that he would try to get another shot off.

His bullet lands in my calf and a scream tears its way past my lips, but I know if I let him get away now, then I’m letting go of the only lead we have to finding the rest of his buddies. I aim Justice as I begin to fall to my knees, but before I can fire the shot, shadows begin to converge in front of my target. Unlike the way Zaphyr has been until now, this time the darkness exudes strong malice, and I hear an animalistic growl as Zaphyr appears meters in front of the man.

He stops in his tracks, backpedaling with a startled yelp, but before he can get more than a few feet, Zaphyr’s is on him like a man possessed. The sound of teeth tearing through flesh, has bile rising in my throat, but knowing that it’s Zaphyr causing those noises, I try not to let my fear get the best of me.

The woods fall silent, all apart from the panting coming from Zaphyr. His head shoots up, feeling my gaze on him, and I can’t stop the quiet gasp that escapes me, seeing that his magic is fully in control.

His pale skin looks even lighter against his obsidian eyes that remind me of a depiction of a demon. The contrast of the bright blood that coats his chin and now razor sharp breath is unsettling, but even now, I know he would never hurt me.

He begins to stalk his way towards me, movements more fluid than I’ve ever seen them, which just screams predator, but even that isn’t enough to make me fear him. He reaches me faster than the blink of an eye, and I gaze up at him as he seems to wrestle for control. The minutes tick by slowly as he calms himself down , taking deep breaths with his eyes closed.

When he opens them again, his eyes are back to their usual dazzling cobalt, causing me to finally relax. He crouches down in front of me, nose twitching, and it takes me a moment to realise that he is scenting the air for something. I don’t have to wait long to find out what he was searching for when his is zero in on the blood pouring from where the bullet entered my calf.

I can’t hold back my wince, feeling like a fucking idiot for managing to get myself hurt, again. He takes this all in stride though, as he crouches down before me, and scooping me up in his arms, holding me against his wide chest. I lean my head against his shoulders and wrap my arms around his neck as he begins to make his way back towards the car with sure steps. It doesn't take long for the smooth motions of his step, and the blood loss, to lull me into a peaceful sleep.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Elias

We all gather around the table after Zaphyr leaves to meet Melissa and Morpheus, working together to get through the information on the power syphoning ritual. Some of the things that we’ve read in these boobooks are beyond a joke. The fact that they believe that there are rituals they can perform to turn entire countries into their slaves, is just plain stupid.

That isn’t even the worst things that are in these ritual, some of them involve sacrifice, and other sexual assault, it makes me sick to think of how many times the cults have performed these rituals, all in their chase of power. They talk about us like we are demons, but really they are the ones who would do anything to get what they want.

I can see the same disturbed look on the others faces at the increasingly unsettling things that we are finding. I know we should be concentrating on the power syphoning ritual, but it's hard not to stop on certain things written here. I know that if I let myself continue to be distracted though, then I’ll never find what we’re looking for.

I flick through the book in front of me, trying not to be drawn in by anything, and finally come across a page on the ritual I’m looking for. I study the page, taking in all of the steps until I reach one that gives me a bit of hope. I turn to Cailean, wanting to tell him my findings.

“Luck might just be on our side, Cail!”

“How do you mean?”

I turn the book towards him, pointing out what caught my attention, and when his eyes land on it, his face breaks out in a grin. This is just the break we’ve been looking for. If we can keep this item out of the cult's hands, then they can’t perform the ritual, and it just so happens to be in Cail’s safe at home.

“Eli, this is great news. All we have to do is make sure that they don’t get their hands on the necklace.”

"When was the last time you checked on it? I’m just worried that with a Witch on board, they’ll be able to get past the wards.”

His brow furrows in thought, and I can see the same worry in his eyes that I feel myself. Who knows what these people are truly capable of, and we need to do everything that we can to make sure they aren’t able to see their plans through, especially since the ritual calls for the death of those that they have taken.

“I’ll go back to the house and check