Curse of Shadows and Light Read Online Free PDF Page B

Sorry if I was late.” She bites her lip and looks at me apologetically.
    “ I’ve only been awake a few minutes. I mean, you’re absolutely sure? She’s positive that Tat is alive?”
    “ Yes.” Corrine nods, and relief floods through me. “And I’m also supposed to tell you that you’re not to trust Anastasia,” she adds in a conspiratorial whisper.
    I narrow my eyes. “What do you mean? Why not?”
    She shrugs and crosses her arms. “Dunno exactly. Lucky didn’t really elaborate. She’s not one for the details, I guess. She just said to keep your guard up and don’t trust her. She might not be ‘on our side’, whatever that means.” She uses her fingers to make air quotes. I can tell she’s getting a kick out of playing the role of messenger between Lucky and me.
    “ Lucky doesn’t trust anyone, especially humans. She’s just being paranoid.” But the woman had apparently lied to me about Tatiana being dead… a callous and twisted way to greet someone, I must admit. Perhaps she does have something up her sleeve.
    I get back off the bed and start to look around. I check out the empty walk-in closet, and the massive bathroom. Nice. “So why are we still here?” I murmur, almost to myself. “And where’s Kieron?”
    “ From what I could gather, which wasn’t much, apparently we’re safe here. Might need to talk to Anastasia and Kieron for more details. Lucky was in a bad mood last night so I didn’t really get much, other than the fact that we’re staying here for a while.”
    Hmph. When is Lucky not in a bad mood? “And Kieron?”
    Corrine shifts her gaze away. “He’s in another room on the other side of the house.” Suddenly she gives a big grin. “You should go see the rest of the place; it’s really something else. Even if that lady isn’t very friendly, at least we can’t say her accommodations are poor.”
    “ I wouldn’t say anything about this whole place is poor ,” I mutter, as I open up my bag to put on some fresh clothes. I’m a bit surprised to have woken up in the same thing I was wearing yesterday. Lucky hadn’t bothered to change or unpack or anything, and I wonder why not. She cares more about her wardrobe than I do and is usually out of mine and into hers within moments of taking over the body.
    “ I know we just got here and you just woke up and all, but… ummm… I was wondering … I mean I hate to ask and all…” Corrine pauses and shifts her feet uncomfortably.
    I give her a questioning glance as I start hanging some things in the empty closet. I swear it’s almost as big as my old bedroom was.
    “ What is it?” I ask, as I smooth out one of Lucky’s vintage gowns.
    “ Well, I hate to ask… And I do have a few dollars. But even though this place is nice and all, there’s stuff I need… like soap and shampoo, and a razor… toothpaste… deodorant… some socks and pajamas… stuff like that. I only threw in a few changes of clothes when we left—”
    I hold up my hand. “Say no more. We’ll go shopping right after I get cleaned up and get organized. I need a ton of stuff too,” I note, rechecking the bathroom. Other than a few fluffy towels hanging on the racks, there’s nothing in it. Even cheap motels leave you with a travel-size bar of soap. Just another sign that our hostess is less than enthusiastic about our presence here.
    “ Sounds like Kieron is up,” Corrine says, as we hear noises coming from the kitchen. “Are you two… are you and him okay?” she asks sheepishly.
    I shrug and refold a long sleeved t-shirt. “Fine, I guess. Why?”
    She heads to the door and pauses. “No reason, I was just wondering. I’m gonna check on the food situation and see what’s good for breakfast. You coming?”
    “ Be there in a few,” I tell her and return to my unpacking. Why would Corrine ask about Kieron and me? Does she know something I don’t? Did Lucky say or do something?
    I shake my head and close the dresser drawer. Finally I