Read Online The Burn by K J Morgan - Free Book Online Page B

covered by a dark jacket, the toned definition of his chest visible underneath. His pupils were dilated, a sheen of sweat on his brow.
    "They did something to you," she said.
    "I know. Come with me. I'll keep you safe tonight."
    "But you don't understand."
    "Focus on me," he insisted, his breathing shallow. "We'll work through it, I promise you that. He's not going to touch you when you're with me. Let me take you out of here."
    She glanced out across the crowd, seeing the lust and ferocity of their movements, the flash of drunken curiosity when they looked her, gawked at her. She was out in the open, a nightmare of nonsensical memories flooding through her mind, her insanity exposed for all to see.
    Miranda nodded, the tears welling hot under her lashes. "Get me out of here, Seth. Please."
    Rising to his feet, he shrugged off his jacket and slid it over her shoulders. She clasped it closed with one hand, feeling the residual warmth of his body wrap around her.
    "Come," he said gently, taking her by her free hand. "Come with me."
    She allowed him to pull her up from the chair and lead her down the steps to the open playa. He headed away from the dark rhythm of the music, away from the movement, away from the light, guiding her past the bright and violent chaos and into the cold breeze beyond it.
    Miranda looked behind them, her breathing ragged as she stumbled after Seth. The Necromancer stood in silhouette against the stage lights, calmly watching them escape across the sand.

Chapter Seven
    M iranda leaned against Seth as he unlocked the door to his RV with difficulty, his hands unsteady. He scraped the keys into the latch with a whispered curse and pulled the door open for her. She climbed into the darkness inside, staggering toward the welcoming cushions of a couch.
    Curling up against its softness, she sat still for a moment, the smell of the old fabric comforting. His jacket was wrapped around her, heavy and warm.
    Seth locked the door and sat down beside her, leaning forward and rubbing his hands against his eyes. A drum circle group played from the neighboring camp, the rhythm eerie in the stillness. Red light glowed through the RV's windshield, highlighting the strong angles of Seth's face and the broad cut of his bare shoulders. His bicep tattoo glistened from muscle and moist skin.
    He took his hat off and placed it on the table, allowing his dark hair to fall loose to his shoulders.
    Miranda shook her head. He was risking his life for her. He was risking far more than he knew.
    "They drugged you, didn't they?" she asked, her voice a harsh whisper between them.
    "Afraid so," he drawled. "But if it was poison, I'd be dead already, right?"
    "They don't want you dead."
    "I guessed as much. Whatever it is, it'll wear off. I have the advantage of size. The dose that they use on little girls isn't going to do much to me."
    "What is it doing to you now?"
    "Ah—" Seth narrowed his eyes. "It's hard to see. I feel hot, restless, excited, anxious maybe."
    "Is anything moving?"
    He looked at her, laughing under his breath. "Besides you?"
    She leaned closer, reaching up to place her fingers on the pulse of his neck. He tilted his head to allow it.
    "Rapid," she muttered.
    "Yeah, I noticed."
    "And your breathing is shallow."
    "Miranda—"
    She clenched her teeth, feeling helpless.
    "I'm fine," he assured her. "I went to an art college, for Christ's sake. This isn't the first high I've brought on myself after a moment of impressively bad judgment."
    "You don't know what they gave you."
    "I know I'm not dead. And you're here with me, right where I can see you, so things aren't as bad as they could be."
    "I came here to stop him."
    Seth's expression sobered. "I know."
    "I have to stop him. I know I do, but now…"
    "It doesn't have to be you. This guy is a target. There are people after him. You need to let them find a way. You need to come out, regain your strength."
    She looked at him, narrowing her gaze. "How did you know all