Read Soul to Shepherd for Free Online Page B

lifted me effortlessly off the ground, and as I wrapped my legs around his waist, I couldn’t help but smile.
    “What?” he asked hoarsely, matching my smile.
    “I’ve never wanted to be anywhere as much as I want to be here with you right now.”
    “Trust me, I know the feeling. It’s been too damn long since I’ve held you in my arms.” Quinn carried me over to the bed. I could feel his right hand slide up my back to support me as he lay me down, but when he reached my shoulder blade, his entire body froze.
    “What’s wrong?” I whispered, kissing his neck.
    Quinn stood back up and slowly set me down on my feet. I could see the overwhelming concern pour into his eyes as he traced my shoulder blade with his fingers.
    Crap! I tensed up immediately. I’d been so wrapped up in being with Quinn I’d forgotten all about the nasty scars scattered across the upper half of my back.
    “Work hazard,” I offered lightheartedly despite my growing insecurity from his reaction.
    “What do you mean ‘ work hazard’ ?” He obviously did not find my remark all that amusing. He spun me towards the candlelight so he could see the full extent of the damage.
    “Holy shit!” he gasped in horror and he ran his fingers over each of the four distinct, large bite marks now forever etched across my back. “These—they’re from—” Quinn was choking on his words as he realized how I got the scars. “What the hell did those bastards do to you?” he asked through gritted teeth as his hands trembled with anger.
    “To us ,” I corrected him. I turned to face him. “Apparently, certain types of demons are capable of giving some pretty nasty love bites,” I joked weakly, forcing a smile even though there was nothing funny about just how close the Servants had come to finishing us off.
    “Evie—” Quinn took a step backwards and ran both of his hands through his hair. I could see the tears welling up in his eyes. The distance he’d just put between us scared me. What if the scars were a constant reminder of the traumatic attack? What if he could never look at me the same way again? What if every time he saw me he’d be reminded of someone he used to think was beautiful? Knots were forming one on top of the other in the pit of my stomach. Panic began to bubble up inside of me, and I tried my best to swallow back my own tears. I immediately shimmered into a pair of black underwear and a tank top.
    “Hey, please don’t,” he implored, tugging on the bottom of my tank top. “Please.”
    I closed my eyes, and morphed back out of my clothes. I held my breath and waited. I sensed Quinn slowly circle behind me. He gently swept my hair to one side and traced each scar with his fingers, making me shiver anxiously.
    “I’m so sorry,” Quinn whispered in my ear just before he kissed the scar just below my right shoulder so tenderly that tears immediately sprang into my eyes and ran down my cheeks. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for saving my life that day.”
    I wanted to say something. I wanted to tell him that he didn’t need to thank me, that these scars were a small price to pay for saving his life, that I’d do anything to protect him even if it weren’t my job, but the painful knot in my throat blocked any words from coming out.
    “Evie.” He sighed loudly. “Every time I look at you, at these marks on your back, I’ll remember what you did for me.” He kissed the back of my neck and then gently brushed his lips against a different scar. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard, forcing down the knot in my throat.
    “Don’t sell yourself short,” I said hesitantly, still yet to be fully reassured that he didn’t view me as irreparably broken and ugly. “You insisted I hold on to you, remember? It’s not like you didn’t suffer the pain right along with me.”
    “I didn’t want to lose you.” He kissed another scar on my left shoulder blade. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”
    “So, you