Awaken Me Darkly Read Online Free PDF Page A

one, we maneuvered around them, each step taking us closer to Ecstasy. Finally, we stood at the large, intricately carved double doors. Thunderous rock music boomed so loudly, the walls and floor vibrated.
    I wiped the snow from my face and wondered at the lack of entrance security. Yes, they had Bob posted at the front gate, but as I’d just proved, he wasn’t insurmountable. I doubted they relied on cameras. Unlicensed surveillance had been restricted years ago because even the average citizen knew how to splice “tamper-resistant” film, and after numerous false claims, the courts had decided to restrict all video usage. This nightclub had never been issued a license. Sure, they could have hidden cameras, but why gamble on the loss of a business over something so trivial?
    I wondered again at the reason for only posting one guard. Stupidity on the owner’s part? Or simple cockiness? Or maybe he was just too cheap to spring for more. I voted for all three.
    Just get this over with, Mia . I silently palmed my gun and adjusted the control to stun. I’d said I wouldn’t kill him, and I wouldn’t. But I never promised not to immobilize him for a few hours. Hand steady, I aimed at Bob’s back.
    As if sensing my intent, he turned and cast me a glance over his shoulder. His expression was comical, really, since he had no nose. His sharp, yellowed teeth were chewing on his bottom lip. I stupidly paused for a second too long, allowing his expression to distract me.
    Panicked, he slapped my arm. The gun went flying and skidded across the porch. He dove for it, but only managed to push it farther away. Cursing myself, I jumped onto his back and pressed my fingers against his temples, preventing his fishlike gills from raising and lowering. The action cut off his air supply.
    He soon forgot all about my gun as oxygen was denied him. He fought me, legs flailing, hands tearing at my fingers. When that didn’t work, he jabbed his elbow into my stomach, and though breath exploded from my lungs and pain rocked me, I held tight.
    Finally he went still. His body collapsed, and he thumped to the ground. I jumped to my feet, but remained doubled over as I sucked in a deep, much needed breath. “You’ll thank me later, you bastard.”
    Dallas barreled up the stairs, his gun cocked and aimed at Bob as I picked up my own gun and fired a round of stun lasers at the sleeping giant. My hand fell to my side, and I sucked in another round of air.
    Dallas pinned me with a concerned gaze. “You okay?”
    “I’m fine,” I said, but damn it, my stomach felt like an overused punching bag at boxing practice.
    “Want me to kill him? He assaulted an officer, after all.”
    I thought it over, then shook my head. “Nah. Too much paperwork. He’s not who we came for, anyway.”
    Dallas’s lips twitched at the corners. “You going soft on me? First you allow a Ell-Rollis to disarm you, and then you—”
    “Go fuck yourself.”
    Chuckling, he slipped his gun back into place. With his hands free, he locked his arms under Bob’
    s armpits and began tugging the giant out of the way. “I’ll hide him beyond the edge. No need to help.”
    “Don’t worry. I wasn’t.”

    He shot me a frown. That frown quickly changed to a grimace as he strained under Bob’s weight.
    “Did I tell you I’ve got a date tomorrow?” he asked conversationally, changing the subject just to annoy me.
    “With who?”
    “Jane Marlow.”
    “Christ. The porn star?”
    “She prefers the term professional sex advocate,” he replied, huffing from exertion.
    I arched a brow. “At least with this one you’ll know there’s more than ice in her panties.”
    “I resent that. Especially from you, a woman who hasn’t gone on a date since the Great Heat Wave.”
    My back straightened, and my shoulders squared. “I had dinner with Kedric Coners last week.”
    “He doesn’t count. His legs are so skinny, I could use them as chopsticks.”
    “He’s not that