H.U.M.A.N.S (The Veiled World Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

no idea just how many of us are here and what we can do. Cole meant business and he’s intimidating enough without the threats.”
    “And we don’t know how many there are like him either. Never underestimate anyone. That’s how I got this.” I pointed to the wound in my side. “For all we know he could have been a spy.”
    “Well, that’s why we’re going to be doing nightly sweeps for the next few nights just to be sure he’s gone. Oh, and I may be in a little late on Mondays and Thursdays if that’s alright. I volunteered to help mentor Dahlia and Rob’s daughter, Tarin. Her air magic is all over the place. They had her help dry the coat of paint they put on the exterior of their house last week but she managed to uproot an entire tree instead and sent it sailing through the neighbors’ window across the street.” Isis giggled through a mortified expression.
    “That’s fine. How the hell did they explain that one to them?” I snickered.
    “I don’t know but that almost gave them away. Not good.” Isis replied as she headed for the door, licking the honey off her fingers. Then she turned to face me again, “I’ll see if Erian can add some sort of a flavor enhancer to that elixir. Don’t worry about the bar, we’ve got all of it covered.” She assured me as she made her way back to the door and opened it.
    “What about Twinkie? Did anyone feed him yet?” I asked, drizzling honey into my tea.
    “Of course. He’s been caterwauling all morning looking for you though. Do you want me to bring him up?”
    “No, I’ll be down in a bit.”
    She grinned. “Don’t want to miss Marq, do we? He’s gonna freak when he sees your injury.”
    “I know but do not tell him anything if he’s already here. I’ll tell him myself.” I warned her.
    She rolled her eyes and blew out an exasperated sigh. “I won’t…” She closed the door but I could distinctly hear her add on, “Unless he happens to ask...” She finished, her voice muffled.
    I know Isis, she held onto news as if it were on fire. She would coerce him into asking about how the hunt went just so she could tell him.
    I’d better hurry downstairs.

Chapter 4
     
     
    Mar q wasn’t here yet, so I spent the morning assisting Clee and Elvie with the kids, enjoying the puppet show along with them, and shooting the breeze with the regulars to catch up and pass some time.
    By the time late afternoon rolled around and the sun began to dip low in the horizon behind the ocean, the atmosphere of the bar instantly began to transform into a more adult-oriented venue. Music and language changed, coupled with the serving of alcohol and the smoking of glitter dust. It was nothing too perverse or wild but with this bunch, sometimes you just never know.
    No, Marq isn’t my boyfriend… not exclusively anyway. He’s a very close frien d —and he’s an Undine. It is an extremely well-known fact in our circle of beings that Undines do not copulate with any other race, normally.
    So does that make me feel special? Well, if any female had the privilege of laying eyes on Marq they’d definitely think so.
    Twinkie was stretched out nearly flat, like a three-dimensional, furry throw rug. He had been sun-bathing, trying to catch the remaining bit of the dimming gold sunlight that was still filtering in from the bay window onto the dark-stained cement floor.
    Spoiled rotten.
    He’s pale yellow in color and his Buddha belly is marked with three perfectly round white patches of fur aligning his middle from groin to chest. His white socked feet stuck straight into the air as if someone had kicked him over and he couldn’t find the strength or will to bother moving or righting himself.
    “Hey, Cole said you were not to be working at all tonight.” Riza smiled once I joined her behind the bar.
    Several patrons lined the counter and were engrossed in either conversation or the soccer game on the large screen television mounted above the mirrored liquor shelves