Read Dark Veil for Free Online Page B

along the driveway and to the lane that led to the main road, letting Cade follow suit. When they were far enough away, Stephen stopped and turned towards him. “She doesn’t know about this tonight. She needs to, but she doesn’t yet. I lied to her ... told her that there was a meeting and maybe she should go out. It would be hell if anyone sensed she is upset. I'm on your side, you know that, right?”
    Cade swore and started to pace. “I have no idea what I am supposed to do here.”
    “I don’t, either. But now you’ve signed to mate some woman, so you’ve got to talk to Gemma. You’ve got to make your decisions. I’ll back you whatever it is.” He paused before adding quietly, “If you need to leave, you leave. Okay?”
    Cade’s eyes flew to his. He knew Stephen would have known his friend might consider that option, but Cade hadn’t been sure how Stephen would take it. “What about you?”
    “I'm going to be king of my father’s castle. No way am I giving that up. Do you know how many requests from the ladies I get a day?”
    Stephen was lying, Cade knew it, and Stephen knew that Cade knew it, but he didn’t call him out on it. Stephen didn’t care for the women—they bored him mostly. It would take a better woman than any on offer to make him want to stay. But he also knew that what he was doing was telling him to run and not worry. For that he was grateful because they had to do something, and they had to do it fast.
    “Together, remember? Whatever happens.”

Chapter Five
    Gemma had been nursing her mug of coffee for almost half an hour as she sat at the kitchen table in her best friend, Shelley’s, house. She sat and stared into the now too cool drink and wondered, isn’t coffee bad for expectant mothers? This was how it had gone these last couple of days, driving herself crazy with these thoughts and questions, which were always followed by one thought— the one thought. What did it matter if she wasn’t keeping the baby anyway? She could go out clubbing for the night and down shots while dancing half-naked on the bar if she wanted to. It would be impossible to do harm to a child that she wasn’t intending to keep anyway … right?
    Shelley leaned forward with her elbows resting on the table. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong or do I need to beat it out of you?”
    Gemma scowled at her friend. Shelley, beautiful, perfect Shelley. Her hair was many shades redder than Gemma’s, and it cascaded down her back in waves of tight curls. Her eyes were an emerald-green that reminded Gemma of the most beautiful tropical seas in the world. Compared to Gemma, Shelley’s colours were darker, deeper, but both woman held an allure that was uniquely theirs. They had been the two ginger kids of the Council—except Gemma wasn’t ginger, she was auburn. That was what her mother always said anyway.
    “Nothing is wrong. I told you.”
    “Mmhmmm. You’ve been sitting there for ages staring into your mug. You didn’t flinch even when Tom came down to give you some shit, so I know something is wrong. Spill it.”
    Gemma frowned. “Tom was here?”
    Shelley shook her head in gentle reproof and gave a gentle sigh. She reached over and cupped Gemma’s hands in her own, the mug still between them. “What’s wrong, Gem?” she asked lowering her voice.
    Gemma wanted to tell her friend about the baby so badly. The words were right there on her tongue. This was Shelley for god’s sake. Shelley … the person she had grown up with, who knew everything from the smallest of irrelevant things to her biggest, most momentous moments. She was Gemma’s go to person, and had been since that very first day. Of course, back then, Shelley had still been a respectable member of the Unseelie Court, until she had met and fallen in love with Tom. Not that there was anything wrong with that in itself, except that Tom was Human and Shelley was Fae . She had given up everything to be with him—even her family. That