Giver of Light Read Online Free PDF Page A

taking another sip from my drink.
    “Damn. You're one tough customer, I'll have to pull out the big guns.” He tapped his chin in mock thought. “Got it!” He straightened himself up, put on a faux sober face then looked me in the eye. “Do you have a map? Because I keep getting lost in your eyes.”
    If it weren't for the dozen or so vamps on hot approach I would have laughed out loud, but this had gone on long enough. “Look, you're entertaining, but I'm waiting for someone. The guy who owns the bar actually. So, maybe you should try your beautifully cheesy pick up lines on another girl. They really shouldn't be wasted.” I forced a smiled, hoping he wouldn't be offended and would just walk off.
    “That would be Michel Durand.” He was all serious now, his voice low and quiet so only I could hear. And it's not that humans don't know who Michel is, hell Michel even has groupies, but it was the way this guy said it, that had my head spinning.
    “Yes. It would. He's my boyfriend.” I said it slowly, unsure if admitting it would be helpful here or not, but feeling perhaps the line needed to be drawn in the sand anyway.
    “Then I'm in the right place and talking to the right girl.” He picked up my drink and sniffed it, shrugged and downed the rest of the glass. Looking me back in the eyes, I noticed his had a strange glow to them, the blue taking on a hint of pink, like the sunset on a hot summer's day. Sky-blue-pink my childhood friend used to call it. This guy had sky-blue-pink eyes.
    “Lucinda Monk, you're going to want to call off the hounds, let them know everything is OK and for them to go back to their blood bags.”
    I froze. “Why?” It wasn't the best comeback, but I couldn't think straight. In fact, the room had started spinning and all clear thought had slipped away.
    “Because my friend here will hurt your girl, that's why.”
    I glanced over my shoulder and saw Amisi's face was very grim. The brunette looked relaxed and was talking away as though they were having a great conversation, but it was all one sided. Amisi's eyes shot down to her lap then quickly back up to mine. I looked where she had and I could see something protruding under her blouse. I followed the shape to its origin and wasn't surprised to see it started by brunette.
    “What is he holding against her?” My voice was even and low. This could not be happening, right in Michel's bar, right in front of Michel's vamps. Of course, they may not like a human chatting me up, but they'd never think for an instant that a human could get the slip on me or Amisi. They're human, not even worth considering as a threat. But right now I felt threatened.
    “That doesn't matter, Lucinda, call the vamps off or your friend will be sporting the latest fashion accessory from Muggers-R-Us.”
    I glanced at his eyes and knew he meant it. This was no idle threat. To have entered into Michel's club and come against us in such a fashion, could only mean one thing. These guys were professionals, they knew who the vamps were, they knew who I was, they knew how to play the game.
    I looked over at one of Michel's vampires and caught his eye. “It's OK.” I mouthed. “Stand down.” And followed it up with one of my pissed-off glares, the ones I usually reserve for Michel's vamps when I'm about to blast them with a nice dollop of Light. The vampire in question cringed and quickly ordered his cohorts to retreat.
    The human next to me waited until they had all slithered back into the shadows and then winked. “Atta girl. I knew you'd do the right thing. You've just got goodie-two-shoes written all over you.”
    I ground my teeth together. I'd sure as hell like to show him exactly how wrong he was on that score.
    “Right,” he said, clapping his hands and rubbing them against each other. “You and I are going to walk out the door together. Fred here will keep your girl entertained for a bit longer. Don't worry, he's as gentle as a lamb, aren't you,