Read Rhuul's Flame for Free Online

half-breed. I’ll see to that.” Gali reached for a lever on the wall, trying his best to prop himself up to pull it.
    “I’m proud of what I am, Gali. You should already—” A gust of wind stopped her midsentence.
    Rhuul had managed to close the distance between himself and Gali in a flash, and he loomed over the Corri leader with both swords at the ready. “What did you call her?”
    “Oh I see. The half-breed whore is yours. How very heroic of you to come to her rescue.” Gali continued pushing himself up on his single arm, wincing from the pain of his wounds.
    She barely had time to blink. Rhuul moved both swords at once, placing the blades one on top of the other before piercing Gali’s heart.
    He turned to her, walking slowly with eyes that were both threatening and glorious. He wasn’t what she expected, but she couldn’t deny his looks. She’d never seen anyone like him. He was like a walking tribute to nature, strong and powerful, tall and lean. She didn’t want to feel the pull toward him; she wanted it to be wrong, a fluke.
    The urge to explain away the connection she had with him filled her head, while her heart beat faster, a counterpoint to her thoughts. Like it or not, all signs pointed to Rhuul being her kan’na , and she felt a mixture of feelings as he stood several feet away. She’d never wished for a comb more in her life as she held on to… “Who are you?” She turned to the Corri supporting her, and tried to pull away.
    “Oh, you have me confused. I’m not one of them. I’m Talloc. I’d happily change into whatever you want.” His lips spread into a sly smile before he winked at her. “Would you prefer an Omala?” He morphed, still supporting her, only there was a problem.
    “Can’t you put some clothes on?” Avalea kept her gaze on his face. She tried to pull away from him, but he pulled her closer, making her suck in a breath when he tugged on her arm.
    “Take your hands off her, Talloc.” Rhuul extended a sword to the shape-shifter’s chest and waited.
    He looks … is he jealous? The scowl on Rhuul’s face would be enough to make a normal person’s blood still in their veins, but Avalea wasn’t impressed. He’s just a hotheaded brute.
    “Hey, I’m on your side, remember?” Talloc lifted his arms in surrender and took a step away from her.
    She still needed the support and cursed under her breath when her legs became unsteady. She swayed, but Rhuul wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close to his body. She wanted to melt into him, but she wouldn’t allow herself to react to the demands of her nature.
    “Why did he call you half-breed? What are you?” His hold on her was firm but gentle, and he stared into her with hypnotizing eyes like cinders.
    She could smell the leather of his vest as he held her, the scent cloying with his natural musk. The agony in her shoulders was momentarily forgotten while she closed her eyes and inhaled a slow breath, letting him wash over her. It was a unique aroma, all male and strangely enticing, making her stomach quiver with excitement. Damn it, it really is him. Why does my kan’na have to be a crazed killer?
    Killer. The word and its meaning snapped her back to the present, and she slanted her eyes. “We don’t have time to talk, Rhuul. We need to get out of here.”
    She didn’t think it was possible for Rhuul’s scowl to deepen, but somehow he managed to change the furrows in his brow into crevices reminiscent of gorges. “You torment my dreams asking for my help, which I gave, against my better judgment I might add, and now we have to get out of here? I suppose you expect me to take care of that too?”
    She pushed at him, wanting space between them. Animosity rose so high within her, it blurred her vision, and she gritted her teeth when he held her tighter.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Get off me.” He released her, and she wobbled before regaining her balance. She stumbled toward the door, waving