In Darkness We Must Abide Read Online Free PDF Page A

those victims to get them to pony up the old red wine. So how is he better than me? And don’t think he hasn’t killed people or caused a shit-ton of misery in his day! I’m not the only monster around here. But at least I don’t deliberately fuck up people so I can feed on their despair. Leah treats Marisol like shit. I just gave Marisol something to grin about. I’m the good guy here.”
    “No, you’re not,” Vanora said firmly.
    Greg scowled at her for a second, then laughed. “Yeah, I’m not. I just don’t like being compared to that demonic she-beast.”
    “I could read her mind.” Vanora watched Greg intently, waiting for his reaction.
    “What?” Greg took a turn a little too fast, forcing Vanora to brace herself against the door.
    “I could read her mind and the manager’s. I’ve never been able to do that before.”
    “Can you read my mind right now?”
    “I definitely don’t want to do that!”
    “Why don’t you take a peek? That way you could tell me if I’m getting the details right for when I wank off later.”
    “What?” Vanora ran his words through her mind one more time. “Oh, hell, no! Don’t you dare fantasize about me!”
    “I kid. I kid.” Snorting with delight, Greg spun the wheel and the truck skidded around a corner. “Though, on a serious note, it does sound like you’re powering up. Maybe it’s because Aeron is near you.”
    Vanora did not like that speculation at all. It unsettled her to even consider that her magic might be linked to Aeron even though she felt inexorably drawn to him. If what Greg had told her was true, then she’d have to accept that it might be a possibility. Bitterness twisted around her heart and soured her thoughts. The concept of her life not being her own was infuriating. She would not relent to the magic that had created this hell.
    “The stuff you bought…that’s for something important, isn’t it?” Greg’s tone had altered to a more conciliatory one.
    “Yes,” Vanora answered simply.
    She didn’t want to discuss what she was planning to do at the moment. The emotional fallout from the night’s events continued to threaten her resolve. It was unbearable to ponder Alisha’s fate. Vanora committed to not contemplating her sister’s possible demise. Alisha was alive until proven otherwise. As for Armando, she missed him so much it hurt. Yet, those feelings were eclipsed whenever she remembered how her soul had responded when Aeron had entered Carlotta’s kitchen. When his power had reached for her, for a split second, she’d actually welcomed it.
    When the truck finally pulled into the driveway of the rental house, Vanora exhaled with relief. The terrible night had knotted every muscle in her body. As she disembarked after Greg parked in the garage, Sheila met her with a tight hug. The coldness of her flesh reminded Vanora of Armando and she ached for him.
    “I’m so glad you’re okay. You have to tell us everything. Your text messages didn’t really say much,” Sheila said, releasing Vanora.
    “It was awful. We never should have gone there. It was a mistake. Aeron showed up and…”
    “I saved her!” Greg dragged the two bags out of the truck bed.
    “I knew you weren’t a total asshole,” Sheila said approvingly.
    “He saved me for his own evil purposes,” Vanora sniffed.
    “Hey! Let me bask in the adoration of the hot vampire for a second,” Greg retorted.
    Alexander lingered near the doorway to the laundry room. Vanora sensed his amusement at Greg’s words. She wondered why he wasn’t jealous.
    …because she loves me, not him…
    The voice with the Creole accent startled her and her eyes widened.
    Alexander met her gaze.
    …you hear me…
    Vanora nodded.
    Alexander smiled.
    …interesting…
    “I thought you’d be here earlier,” Sheila said, chiding Greg. “What was the hold up?”
    “Other than her unexpected shopping run at this world’s version of hell known as Walmart? I needed a