Legend of the Sorcerer Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Is something wrong?”
    “It’s possible that someone is in danger.”
    Jordy stilled.
Just tell me you’re her brother, or boyfriend, or husband even, so I can trust you
. “What’s in those pictures?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “You don’t know? I’m sorry, what was your name again?”
    His eyebrows lifted, then, improbably, he smiled.
    Jordy had been wrong. It didn’t make him attractive. It made him downright gorgeous. “I said something funny?”
    “Maybe I’m losing my mind, but I think you’re telling me the truth.”
    “About not knowing you? I take it you’re used to being a more memorable guy.”
    “Don’t apologize. It’s nice to be unremarkable.”
    She smiled. “Trust me. You’re remarkable.”
    He extended his hand. “Malacai L’Baan. My friends call me Cai.”
    Jordy juggled the papers to one arm and shook his hand. She couldn’t imagine those long, graceful fingers punishingsomeone’s skin. Stroking it maybe. She shook his hand quickly and let it go. “Jordy.” Her guard lowered slightly when he didn’t push for more.
    “I guess I’ll go back to the ZippySnap and see what they can remember.”
    Jordy made an instant decision. “Maybe I can help.” She didn’t like the shuttered look that returned to his eyes. “Let me put this stuff away, then we can grab a drink in the hotel restaurant. Ten minutes?”
    He nodded, but the smile didn’t return.
    Cai watched Jordy walk into the restaurant fifteen minutes later. The place was relatively quiet, but she’d be hard to miss, even in a crowd. She might be short, her figure nothing to write home about, but she had a definite presence.
    She certainly didn’t seem like the type of wacko who could have produced those letters. She was obviously not the victim, but she’d kept something from him.
    “I’m sorry, I took a bit longer than I planned.”
    “Not a problem. I hope you don’t mind, I ordered iced tea. I’ll be glad to get you something—”
    She waved him silent as she settled in her chair. “Tea is fine.” She was wearing a bright green tank top dress that set off her eyes and hair perfectly. He wondered if she was the type to plan out those sorts of details. He didn’t think so. No makeup to speak of, apparently unconcerned about the light scattering of freckles from the sun. Her hair was cut Audrey Hepburn short, windblown and unfussy. She wore several tiny silver studs in each ear. Earthy, he thought again. Uncomplicated. And an artist, she’d said. He looked at her hands. Slender fingers, short nails, no polish, just a slender silver thumb ring she was nervously toying with.
    “So, do I pass muster?” She smiled. “I tried to get the magic marker off my hands, but—” She flipped her hands over to reveal a purple streak on one palm and shrugged.
    Definitely not the calculated sort. “I didn’t mean to stare. Occupational hazard.”
    “Let me guess. Psychologist? Police sketch artist?”
    The smile came naturally. “I’m a writer. I have a tendency to observe people—it’s sort of a byproduct of characterization. Usually I’m not so obvious.”
    “And I’m guessing now that you’re famous and I’m the only person on the planet who didn’t recognize your name.”
    “Not hardly. I mean, I’m known pretty well around here, but I’m not Stephen King.” His smile stretched to a grin. “Not yet anyway.”
    “I’m not a horror fan anyway. What do you write?”
    “Fantasy.”
    “Ah, that explains it then. I’m more a mystery and suspense reader.” She paused. “And romance. I’m a sucker for a happy ending.”
    “Aren’t we all?”
    She tilted her head. “You know, I might like your books.”
    She was refreshingly natural. Cai found himself wishing they’d met under different circumstances. He’d come here looking for a victim or a nutcase. He hadn’t expected to find her. It had been a long time since he’d found himself attracted to someone. Too long, perhaps. Thank God Alfred