Entangled Interaction Read Online Free PDF Page B

carving a "go away" sign to stick on their door.
    Arriving at the front door, Bear clicked the lock and shoved it open. "Welcome to my humble abode."
    Cannibal snorted but strode confidently inside. I followed, bracing for what lay ahead, consoling myself that anything, no matter how sparse, had to be better than a tent on the side of a cliff.
    It took a second for my eyes to adjust from the blinding snow to the darkened room, but when they did, boy howdy. Let it be said that bears, at least this one, made for an excellent home decorator.
    Deep, rich wooden furniture gave the cabin a feel of home and warmth, while modern fixtures tossed in a little classiness. A leather couch sat at the front of the living area, surrounded by end tables complete with lamps. Thick blankets lay over each piece of furniture softening the look. The hardwood floors squeaked slightly with each step, a sound one could easily become accustomed to. Just past the living area, a fully stocked kitchen waited for hungry houseguests. All appliances appeared to be new, the stainless steel shining in the dim light. A hallway led from the kitchen to other rooms, presumably bedrooms.
    My mouth fell open at the sheer luxuriousness of this home in the middle of nowhere. The land might be forsaken and frigid outside, but this home offered any and all comforts a person could wish for.
    "Wow."
    Cannibal snorted, one corner of his mouth tilting up. "I think she's relieved."
    Bear followed us in, paused to take his coat off and hang on a nearby hook. "She can still sleep on top of this bear's skin." He glanced in my direction.
    His eerie light blue eyes could easily peek straight into my soul. I blinked and sputtered. The Neanderthal read minds? No way.
    "Way." He answered with a grin.
    "Absolutely no fair," I complained and looked over at Cannibal, who was busily removing a few layers himself. "He can read your mind too?"
    He shook his head. "Nope."
    With a resigned sigh, I took a moment to mutter about the unfairness of life and warned myself to keep my thoughts clean and blank. No sense encouraging the guy if I could help it.
    Bear pulled out a box from a nearby cabinet and carried it to an old wooden dining table surrounded by four chairs. The wood appeared dull, but more than stout enough to survive the harsh elements produced by living in such a difficult environment. Cannibal took one seat while Bear plopped down directly across.
    "What's that?" I asked.
    "The reason we're here," Cannibal answered.
    Greatly curious, I edged closer. What did the box contain? Some sort of ancient book telling all the secrets of the universe? Maybe a magical device that could be used for the good of the people? Maybe even something about shape shifters that had to be kept out of the hands of the unknowing.
    Coming abreast of the table, I peeked inside. My mouth fell open in shock. "I came all this way, about froze my butt off, nearly fell to my death, and all for you and Bear to play checkers?" I huffed, still not quite believing what I saw.
    Cannibal shot me a haughty grin. "He challenged me."
    Bear agreed. "Damn arrogant Enforcer here thought he could whoop my ass in checkers. No better way to prove him wrong than simply playing the game and watching him cry in his cookies afterward."
    I grabbed the board and nearly whapped Cannibal over the head with it. "You… you… remnant of a dung beetle's lunch." Tossing the board to Bear, I stomped back to the fireplace, curled up in the soft blanket, and sulked. Who could believe those barbarians? Men and their boyish attitudes.
    "How long is she going to pout?" Bear whispered, loud enough for me to overhear.
    Cannibal glanced my direction, then returned his attention to putting pieces on the board. "Day or two. Unless someone gives her chocolate. Then she turns into a hyper and happy puppy."
    "Good thing you told me ahead of time. I picked up a couple of bags of Hershey's kisses last week."
    I perked up. The Yeti/Bear person had