A Fall of Silver Read Online Free PDF Page A

Don’t interrupt again.” His low voice sounded tired and distracted as they entered the lobby. “We’re doing the best we can to make sure everyone stays safe.”
    “Okay, but when Sutton comes after me—and he will—I’m going to defend myself.”
    “He won’t.”
    “Yeah, right. And the sun won’t rise tomorrow morning.”
    “I’ll see to it. All I need is a bit of trust.”
    Trust me. Words spoken by every lying, deceiving bastard ever born on planet Earth. She shook her head. He couldn’t stop them, and he was a fool if he thought he could.
    The lobby was mostly deserted with the exception of a single businessman in a gray suit leaning tiredly against the registration desk, waiting for a room key. He never even glanced up as they brushed past, heading for the outer door.
    “Kethan,” Father Donatello called, hurrying after them.
    Quicksilver pushed through the revolving door and almost exited, but noting the frown developing on Kethan’s face, she completed the revolution and returned to the lobby. Bad news on the negotiation front might be valuable to her.
    “ If she’s—” Father Donatello broke off when he noticed her.
    S ensing her presence, Kethan turned slightly, including her in the privacy of their circle.
    “If she —what?” she asked. “If I’m alive? They asked you to ‘neutralize’ me, didn’t they? So I won’t mess up your precious negotiations.”
    Father Donatello ’s thin face paled. “We’d never agree—”
    Kethan cut him off. “What’s your name? Your real name, Miss Nothing?”
    “Allison Bankes—that is— Quicksilver .” How had her old name slipped out? Allison Bankes , a girl long dead and forgotten when the memory of her foolish innocence grew too unbearable. A familiar, sharp twinge radiated from the base of her skull down her spine. She rubbed the nape of her neck and then glanced at him, pushing away the pain, both physical and emotional.
    He smiled . Her heart raced, tingling with hot electricity. When he held out his large, broad hand, she took it impulsively. Her fingers felt ridiculously small and fragile enveloped in his.
    “ Kethan Hilliard.” He held her hand gently, covering it with the one still wrapped in a handkerchief. He stared deeply into her eyes a shade too long, weighing her, seeking her soul before glancing away. Her heart double-thumped in response. A second later, his warm gaze returned. He released her with apparent reluctance and gestured to the older man. “This is Father Joseph Donatello.”
    “Hi .” She acknowledged the introduction, shifting weight from one foot to the other. She stared past the two men at the empty corridor, their curious stares making her feel awkward and out of place.
    She almost hoped a vampire would appear, something she could deal with. Her feet shifted again in a restless movement that took her closer to Kethan and then back toward the door.
    “I’ve got to go ,” she said at last, realizing that the vampires had probably left. This delay gave them time to set up a trap for her, or for Jason to find Kathy. Either way, she needed to track them and prevent them from hurting anyone else.
    When Kethan touched the back of her hand, she jumped. He gave her wrist a brief, reassuring stroke that sent warmth radiating up her arm. Her muscles involuntarily relaxed as if in anticipation of another caress before she caught herself. She stiffened.
    “Wait.” He glanced around the lobby before transferring his gaze to the plate glass windows. “There’s a restaurant next door. Why don’t we get a cup of coffee?”
    “What restaurant? The Awful-Waffle?” she asked, using the all too apt nickname used by the teenagers at the children’s home. Her gaze followed Kethan’s, but there was nothing to see through the glass panes except darkness.
    Where would Sutton wait for her? Someplace like a narrow, dark alley where her movements would be restricted and he could hide in the shadows.
    Oblivious to her