Demigod Down Read Online Free PDF Page B

again?” she asked
uncertainly her delicate frame slouching down slightly, just not as
confident as Grams
    “Just checking in,” I said in her black
office chair. “These are nice chairs.”
    She smiled “Thanks, I found them used at an
auction. The folding chairs in here didn’t give the room the right
feel.”
    I could see that. The office I had occupied
had been transformed. No longer were supplies laying around in half
unpacked boxes or rickety furniture supporting mounds of paperwork.
Tall metal file cabinets were stacked four deep on the other side
of Rose in her simple black desk and the half-finished walls were
repainted a light gray with neat shelving units for the orderly
supplies. Rose was doing well in this role, although she did look a
little weary.
    “How are you doing?” I asked as her large
jade green eyes latched onto my own.
    “Fine, why?” she asked uncertainly.
    “You look tired Rose,” I said, trying to make
myself less threatening, which was totally pointless.
    She shrugged, “I need to fire some of the
staff.” Her voice was hesitant.
    I shrugged. “So do it,” I answered
simply.
    Rose rubbed the back of her neck. “I don’t
want to,” she confessed.
    I leaned forward, “Too bad.” I informed her
and she slouched in her seat, sighing dejectedly and picking at her
keyboard.
    “Can you at least work tonight?” Rose asked
in a whine.
    “Right after you get done firing everyone.” I
said pulling my chair into the corner, raising an eyebrow at
her.
    She sighed resigned, “Fine.”
    Rose had a host of people she needed to fire
- a line cook who hadn’t shown up in three days; a bartender who
was already so drunk on her shift that I needed to help off the
property, and a server who gave off the creepiest vibe.
    The server had slicked back dark hair that
was plastered to his skull, and he slouched so far forward in
Rose’s chair I wondered if he had back problems. The worst of it
had to be his eyes, recessed into his skull - a piecing light brown
that were almost attractive.
    “I – I really need the job,” he muttered
unable to look at Rose, whose was trying unsuccessfully to mask the
disgust she was feeling.
    “I’m sorry Joshua, but we have to let you
go,” she said again firmly.
    The sudden shuddering of his shoulders had me
standing as he launched over the desk at Rose. He weighed nothing
as I hoisted him up by his collar, throwing him from the room and
into the hallway.
    “Bad idea, kid.” I told him as he scurried
up, watching me stalk him. He quickly made his way toward the exit,
leering at me.
    “He won’t like this,” He hissed at me as I
pushed him into the ally.
    “Can’t say I really give a fuck,” I told him,
turning away and back into Kitten. I needed to find Gunther for my
hair and makeup. Thankfully, the man could work small miracles with
the dark circles under my eyes for my performance at Kitten.
    Turning back, I looked around the back
entrance having a sudden realization of how vulnerable it was. I
needed security back here - more cameras and probably a hand or eye
scanner for the back door. What had I been thinking? That Kitten
would be exempt from those who came after me? Foolish. I would fix
that situation immediately.
    I had just plopped myself ungraciously into
Gunther’s chair when Rose found me. “He’s gone?” she asked, her
arms wrapped around her middle.
    “Yes. Keep security with you, if you are
worried.”

    She nodded, her mind clearly preoccupied.
    “You did good Rose.” I told her as Gunther
arrived and slathered foundation on my skin.
    Rose smile and shrugged slightly, “Being the
boss isn’t nearly as glamorous as I thought.”
    I smiled as Gunther smeared foundation over
my teeth, spitting it out. I pushed his hand away to finish the
conversation and turned so Rose could see the sincerity in my eyes,
“You are doing a wonderful job.”
    “Thanks Olivia,” she said, smiling genuinely.
“I’ve got work to do.”
    Gunther