Read Earth Bound for Free Online

honey,” Judith reminded, “the stabbing was some time ago, and it may be impossible to help him after all this time. In any event, he’s no wounded creature for you to look after.”
    â€œOf course he is,” Lexi said. “You didn’t see him.”
    â€œWe’re about to,” Blythe said. “The men are coming back and your Gavriil is right in the middle of them.”
    Lexi stood up, slowly putting the teacup down. Gavriil moved over the ground with a dancer’s fluid step rather than a fighter’s, which was how she always saw Levi andThomas. Max was just out there for the world to see, a tough, rough man anyone would think twice before messing with. But Gavriil . . .
    â€œOh, my God,” Judith whispered, her hand going defensively to her throat. “And I thought Levi was frightening. Airiana, are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
    Airiana touched Judith’s hand to quiet her. She saw the aura, dark and dangerous and extremely violent, surrounding Gavriil Prakenskii. The thought of him ever being alone with their little fragile Lexi was almost shocking. Truly horrifying. What made the situation so much worse was the fact that he was walking with his brothers, all very dangerous men, and yet his aura was fully colored in violence, outdoing every one of theirs.
    Gavriil Prakenskii wore his cloak of darkness as casually as another man wore a coat. Airiana wouldn’t have been surprised to see him sprout horns. He was the coldest, hardest man she’d ever seen in her life.
    Judith nudged her and indicated Lexi with her chin. The other women had fallen silent as well, staring at the newcomer as if he might be the devil walking up to them in his blue jeans and long, swirling trench coat.
    â€œHe’s got a million weapons inside that coat,” Rikki murmured. “Maybe more than a million. He’s just scary.”
    Lexi didn’t seem to hear her. She didn’t seem to see anyone other than Gavriil. His dark gaze fastened on hers, and she had the strange sensation of falling into him. She didn’t like strangers, especially men, yet he didn’t feel like a stranger. No one else could see the pain in him, which surprised her. Normally, Lissa and Airiana were very good at using healing energy when it was needed.
    That didn’t matter to her. She wanted to go to him, take his hand and lead him to a chair to get him off his feet. He needed to sit down. She was fairly certain he hadn’t slept in days, and she hated the exhaustion she could feel pouring off of him.
    â€œIs there any tea left?” Levi asked, and leaned down tobrush a kiss over Rikki’s upturned mouth. His hand slipped into hers. “I’m sorry about having to miss a dive day.”
    â€œOh no, Rikki,” Lexi said instantly. “I didn’t realize I kept you from diving. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have called you, Levi,” she added. “I could have just asked Thomas and Max.”
    Levi put his arm around her and gave her a brief, rare hug. “You did exactly what you were supposed to do. And Gavriil tells me you used the kick we worked on like a pro. I’m proud of you.”
    Gavriil moved up the stairs straight toward them, and scowled at his brother. Levi instantly dropped his arm and stepped away from Lexi.
    Gavriil ignored the others and went to Lexi, taking both her hands in his. “Are you all right?”
    Lexi nodded and patted the porch swing, feeling sick with his pain. She couldn’t understand how the others didn’t see or feel it. His pain was so severe it was nearly tangible. She couldn’t help stroking a hand down his arm, silently urging him to sit.
    Gavriil allowed Lexi to coax him into the swing, knowing her sisters were horrified that she was standing so close to him. They’d be even more horrified if they realized just what she was to him. He didn’t care. Nothing mattered to him