Read Playing with Passion Theta Series Book 1 for Free Online Page A

ability to project. Each motion was
translated into thought, which translated into story, sent out to
the minds of each psychically connected audience member, bringing
the audience pleasure unknown before the existence of
thetas.
    It was a type of magic unique to their
species, enslaving them for almost a century.
    The first thetas had been
touted as geniuses or future super heroes by their human parents,
but The Director put a stop to that as soon as he heard about the
new genetic mutation. The firsts were taken in and studied, many of them killed in
the process. Laws were passed to require that any child thought to
be theta be handed over at the age of three and placed in training
institutes where The Director would decide how best to use their
talents. Because he was a creature ruling a country in chaos, he
steered them toward becoming a race that delivered pleasure, their
magic a calming balm to his most violent citizens.
    Gene sat next to her and extended a
hand. "I'm Gene. Welcome to our happy home." She glanced at his
hand and winced. "You don't shake hands?" He seemed
amused.
    She made a show of wiping hers with
her napkin. "No. I do, of course. I'm sticky." To her great relief,
there was no exchange of power when they locked hands and made the
usual motion.
    Mack had been watching, and as Gene
dug into the pizza, she and her new boss exchanged curious glances.
There was no denying that something incredible had happened between
them. The moment they'd touched, her outer shield had liquefied
like butter in a hot pan. Thank heavens her innermost psychic
shields had held, otherwise he might have seen it all: her dreams,
her plans, her secrets.
    A flashback of the Atlanta stage and
murdered audience hit her in the gut. She shuddered, reburying that
vision as quickly as she could.
    “You okay?” Gene asked. “You lost your
color.” He patted her cheek in a friendly way.
    She took a few swigs from her water
bottle. “I’m good.”
    "Feel up for a walk, sugar? Not too
hot or humid today.” A hint of a southern accent had reared its
head.
    "I haven't even seen my room or
unpacked or...”
    "You must be tired. I’ll help and
maybe we can go for a walk after you rest a while.”
    Mack gave Gene a stern look. Gene
rose, shrugging, gathering up the empty pizza boxes and taking them
outside to the trash bin. "Do you have enough energy to morph?"
Mack asked.
    Ingrid frowned. "That's really
necessary? In Atlanta, Gene Stone and I never morphed when we left
the apartment."
    "Do you remember what I told you about
the number of supernaturals in the area?"
    "My memory is excellent," she snapped,
folding her arms.
    He ignored her tone, pissing her off
even more with his smug smile. "I'm glad to hear it. Can you
disguise your scent as well as your appearance?"
    She leaned forward. "You didn't just
ask me if I could do something any fifteen-year-old theta could
do."
    He leaned forward. "Guilty as
charged."
    "I don't think you deserve an answer,
especially after the way you pushed power..." She’d inched
closer.
    "I did not push power in your
direction, and never will outside of a rehearsal or a performance."
They were only a foot apart, the two of them glaring, breathing in
the other’s scent.
    Nothing in his face or
aura screamed out liar . "Then what happened between us?" She relaxed back into her
chair.
    "I honestly don't know."
    "You're the PM. Don't you know
everything?"
    His eyes had narrowed to slits. "I
know my role, believe me."
    "C'mon, let’s go check out your room."
Gene, who’d been watching the exchange, grabbed her hand and pulled
her out of her chair. "Mack knows you're tired from your trip.
We'll go out another day when everyone’s in a better
mood."
    Better mood, my
ass. She stomped up the stairs, mumbling a
few choice curses.
     

CHAPTER FOUR
    Mack raked his hands through his too-long hair, flopping his
tired body into the armchair he kept by the fireplace in his small
home, his fingers tapping out a