Dark Refuge Read Online Free PDF Page A

though I can’t see why I’d stand out that much.” She glanced at their linked hands and then focused on the sidewalk ahead.
    “You realize, of course, that there’s no way in hell people aren’t going to notice you.”
    She stopped dead in her tracks. He had to bite back laughter. “Why? What’s wrong with me?”
    “You’re gorgeous, Em. Absolutely beautiful. Men watch you walk by. Women even turn to see. I can’t imagine you going anywhere and not being noticed.”
    She frowned and then looked away. Very softly she said, “Why do you do that, Gabe?”
    “Do what?” He tugged and they started walking, but her steps were stiff, almost awkward, as if she didn’t want to be close to him. What the hell was bugging her now?
    “Make fun of me. You’ve always made fun of me.”
    “Telling you you’re beautiful is making fun of you? I don’t get it, Em.” This time he was the one coming to a stop. Even as late as it was, people passed by, going around them the way water broke around stone. “Why would you think I’m making fun of you?”
    “Aren’t you?” This time she looked at him. “Aren’t you saying nice things so you can pull the proverbial rug out from under my feet later? That’s what you and Aaron used to do. Act all nice and friendly and then laugh when I believed you.”
    “I don’t believe we’re having this conversation.” He shook his head, not in denial but to clear his thoughts. This definitely wasn’t the Emeline he remembered. He tried to think of the last time he saw her and realized it was a lot longer than he’d thought. Closer to ten years since he’d gone off to college, and when he was home the last person he’d wanted to hang out with was Aaron’s kid sister.
    “Look,” he said, so frustrated he didn’t know quite what to say. “Let’s do what we’re here to do, but when we get back to your place, you and I are going to talk. Okay?”
    He realized he was holding her still, his big hands wrapped around her upper arms, and her eyes had gone wide. He turned her loose and stepped back. “Goddess, Em. I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to frighten you. Honest. I’m just . . .” He turned away, stared at the tall buildings across the street and called himself all kinds of fool, but that wasn’t going to solve whatever was going on.
    Talking would help. Searching for the reasons behind her strange reaction to everything he said. The way she read things into every word, every action. Things he didn’t mean, hadn’t said. It sounded as if her memories of what he and Aaron considered typical “big brother teasing little sister stuff” had been bullying in Em’s eyes. If that was the case, he had a lot of apologizing to do. Both he and Aaron did.
    “Gabe! I see her.” She grabbed his arm and hauled him down the sidewalk. “There. Do you see the tall blonde? The one with all the long braids?”
    “Yeah. I do. Stay behind me. I’m going to act like a customer. See if I can pick her up.”
    “Okay. But be careful, Gabe. I don’t want you hurt.”
    He gave her a quick grin and walked on ahead, but he almost laughed. She didn’t want him hurt, but he had a feeling she really wanted him gone. Not yet. Not until he figured out what was going on with Ms. EmyIzzy.
    But for now, his focus was on the tall blonde. She was absolutely beautiful, and her long, lean frame fit the look of the typical Chanku female, if you could call any body type typical. Many of the women in the pack had the same look of sleek strength, and they carried themselves as if they possessed more than average power.
    Which, of course, they did. The woman had turned to watch him. He thought of mindspeaking, but decided against it. Not here where she might startle or otherwise give away the fact she was communicating with him.
    He paused a few feet away. She watched him with a practiced look and smiled, as if she liked what she saw. “Hi.”
    “Hi to you, too.” He glanced at the light pole she leaned