Read Strain of Resistance (Book 1) for Free Online Page B

excitedly.
    "You found one? You found one!" Her voice reaches an octave that I'm sure only a dog can possibly hear, as I pull the object out of my bag.
    "Oh great," Liv moans. "Just what this place needs...more junk."
    Amy doesn't pay her any mind though. She is way too excited by the object she yanks out of my hands. To me, the crystal dragon looks no different from any of the dozens of others Sam and I had found over the years, but Amy is enthralled by it.
    "Look it has pink scales. And you can see its pink heart through its chest. It's a girl dragon for sure. Look, Liv-isn't it beautiful?"
    "It sure is, baby girl." She smiles indulgently. "Almost as beautiful as you. Are you going to add it to your shelf?"
    She nods without looking up, still twisting the figurine in her hands. "But after movie night I think. I wanna show it to Mrs. D and Cookie first. Hey, you think if I showed it to Jonesy he would play DragonHeart for movie night? I just love that movie."
    Liv reaches out and affectionately strokes the black curls; so much like Sam's that it brings a lump to my throat. I look away, blinking furiously against the tears. What the hell is wrong with me today?
    "I told you before, honey, Jonesy doesn't have that movie."
    "Well maybe Bix can get it for me. She always finds me dragons. Can you find DragonHeart for me, Bixby? Please?"
    Her gray eyes stare up at me with such pleading. She has her brother’s eyes. I never could say no to his beautiful eyes either.
    "I'm not making any promises, you hear. God forbid I break a promise to you. I'd never hear the end of it. But I'll keep my eyes peeled for it the next time we're out."
    "Thank you!" She says and wraps her stubby arms around my waist, laying her curly head on my chest. I can't help but hug her back. Amy always did get me right in the feels. "I know you'll find it. Sammy always said you were the best hunter and you could find anything."
    Except for him , I think dully, withdrawing from her embrace as my old enemy guilt comes to visit once again. Amy doesn't seem to notice my mood change however, as the clock on the fake mantel chimes annoyingly loud and causes her to jump.
    "Geez, Liv, we better go. I don't wanna be late for movie night. All the best seats will be gone. You know I only..."
    "Only like to sit in the front row. I know, I know. We don't want all those seats to be gone," Liv rolls her eyes at me over Amy's head and I confine my laughter to a slight snort. If anybody can make me feel better, it's these two.
    "Well, what are you waiting for? Go get your sweater so we can go. You know it's always cold down in the basement."
    "Oh...right. I'll be right back," she announces to no one in particular.
    Olivia watches her leave, and then whirls on me with that irritating raised brow. I know that look, and I start shaking my head even before she opens her mouth.
    "Don't start Liv. Nothing’s wrong. I'm just tired is all."
    Those sharp eyes of hers peruse me like they can see straight through into my soul.
    "Mmm hmm. Tired. Another word for fucked silly? I know you and Luke haven't come up for air since you two got back yesterday."
    "Jesus Liv, can you be any more vulgar?" I snap, but she just shrugs in response.
    "I can...but I won't. And I'm not condemning you for your choice of fuck buddy. Luke is a fine specimen of a man. If I were ten years younger I'd give you a run for your money. But something is bothering you and don't try to lie, because you tend to forget I know you better than you know yourself, Emma Bixby."
    I did think about lying to her, but she’s right. I never could keep anything hidden from Liv. And well, just the use of my full name tells me she means business. She won't give up until I spill everything.
    Sighing, I run a hand over the cropped side of my head.
    "He said it again. Why does he do that? When everything seems to be going smooth he's gotta mess it up by saying those damn words. I told him, right from the start that this was just