Devil's Bargain Read Online Free PDF

them. She didn’t want to see his eyes that way.
    â€œWhat are you waiting for?” he demanded. “If you think you’re that fast, prove it. Try to kill me.”
    Cursing, she turned aside her blade so that the flat of itpressed against the man’s faded black t-shirt. From behind the desk nearby, she almost thought she heard a rumble of discontent.
    â€œYou first,” she snapped, jerking her wrist free of his surprised grip.
    Slowly, cautiously, the man took his hand away from his threatening position over her heart and pushed himself into a sitting position. “How about you answer a few questions for me before I make up my mind?”
    â€œName, rank, and serial number?”
    He shook his head. “Maybe later. But first, why don’t you tell me what you want with the
Praedicti Arcanum
?”

 
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FOUR
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    Aaron watched the woman’s face as he pushed to his feet and took careful note of the emotions expressed there.
    â€œPersonally?” she asked. “Not a damned thing.”
    She didn’t appear to be lying, but that didn’t make sense. “I saw you make a grab for it, and I assume that’s why you’re here. Are you a professional thief?”
    â€œAt the moment, what I am is damned sore.” The woman rose—her five feet and six inches looking much more impressively feminine when they weren’t concentrating on breaking his bones—and slapped her hands against her flanks, sending a cloud of dust flying from the seat of her pants. “You might not look like a linebacker, but you pack a hell of a punch when you’ve got gravity on your side.”
    Aaron fought back a surge of pride at that. He’d never been a terribly physical guy, and he’d been afraid that he was the only one who felt like he’d just failed to outrun the bulls in Pamplona.
    â€œDon’t try to change the subject,” he said. “Are you some kind of professional burglar, or is breaking and entering a hobby of yours?”
    She appeared to consider that for a minute before she answered. “No, more of an occupational hazard.”
    â€œIn what occupation?” he demanded, attempting to mask his confusion with impatience. “What exactly is it that you do?”
    â€œI’m an authorized Appearance Enforcement Agent.”
    â€œA what?”
    She sighed as if she’d expected the question and yet had been hoping not to hear it. “I’m a bounty hunter.”
    â€œA bounty hunter?” he repeated incredulously. When in God’s name had he entered a surreal parallel universe? “I’m obviously missing something. How about we start again? I’m Aaron Bullard, and this is my uncle’s house. Who the hell are you and why did you break in and try to steal the
Praedicti Arcanum
?”
    â€œLilli Corbin.” She gestured to the knife she’d dropped in their earlier struggle and raised an eyebrow. “Do you mind if I pick that up?”
    â€œThat depends on what you’re planning to do with it.”
    â€œJust put it away. I promise. The blade is warded, and I’d hate to lose it.”
    Aaron couldn’t say he felt completely reassured, but he nodded his permission and only twitched a little when she picked up the misericorde. Sliding it into the sheath along her leg, she even went so far as to resnap the hilt guard. How much more could a guy ask?
    â€œNow what about question number two?” he prompted when she seemed content to keep quiet.
    Lilli frowned. “What?”
    â€œYou never answered my second question,” he said, folding his arms over his chest and fixing her with his fiercest stare. “Why did you break in and try to steal the
Praedicti Arcanum
?”
    Â 
    Damn, he had a good memory.
    Lilli took a good look at the man in front of her and weighed her options. In her experience, people often reactednegatively to hearing you