Mage Catalyst Read Online Free PDF

Sarah snickered and punched me on the arm, bringing me back from my stupor. She’d obviously asked me a question that I’d missed.
“They’re very good,” I repeated. “How’d you find them?’”
“Saw them play at a pub a few weeks ago,” Tony replied glibly, turning to face me. “By the way, you’re being checked out,” he grinned, gesturing behind me.
I scowled. This was typical of these two whenever we went out. They’d usually try to hook me up with someone they spotted. I think it was some sort of game between them. I turned and glanced at Sarah, expecting her to laugh and nod agreeably.
“I dunno,” she said thoughtfully. “She doesn’t look that interested.” This was unusual, usually she’d agree with Tony even if the woman appeared to want to throttle me.
“She looks a bit old for him and she seems pretty angry,” Sarah said. “Do you know her?”
“Well, she’s been staring at Devon pretty much constantly since she got here!” Tony said.
I’d gone through this on several occasions with these two. Normally they’d encourage me up to the point that I’d build up the courage to chat to the woman in question. My track record wasn’t that good – they normally always turned me down. I’d been starting to suspect that Tony and Sarah were intentionally sending me after women who they knew weren’t interested.
I turned to look at her and my jaw dropped.
She was standing on the other side of the club, a drink resting on the bench next to her. She had long, dark hair and Sarah was right, she was older than me, much older, maybe mid-twenties. She was pretty in a neo-Goth kind of way: she was wearing a cropped black top that exposed her stomach. She finished the effect with oversized military-style boots and black jeans. None of this attracted my attention until much later. What did attract my attention was a small blue halo of light particles dancing in small circles in the centre of her chest, just above her breasts.
Tony and Sarah were right. She was staring at me and she looked worried. That look changed to annoyance as I got to my feet and made my way over to her. I couldn’t hear the music or the noise of the crowd. I couldn’t even really see the crowd around me anymore – all I could see was the small circle of light lazily dancing across her chest.
“My breasts are a little lower,” she said dryly when I finally got into earshot. Her voice was amazing, I couldn’t quite pick her accent, but it definitely wasn’t local. She was staring at me strangely as I stumbled about for a suitable response.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, desperately trying to compose myself. She was still staring at me and it was making rational thought kind of difficult.
“You’re sorry for not staring at my breasts?’” she enquired, her mouth twisting into a mocking curl.
    “Umm... yeah, I guess,” I continued, still at a loss for words and she wasn’t making it any easier.
I kept working it over and over in my head. What did this mean? Did she know she had glowing pulses in her body? Why were hers different to mine? Could she see mine? What would happen if I touched her?
I so desperately wanted to touch her, to kiss her, to be with her. I’d never believed in love at first sight before, but I was starting to re-assess that belief now. I could feel my body respond, the pressure building again. I couldn’t see the particles of light frantically rising in tempo in my body, but I could swear I could feel them racing across my flesh with manic intensity.
“You’re quite the conversationalist…” she began, then her eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted in a snarl. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m trying... to...talk… to you?” I stammered, confused.
She had backed away several steps, glancing around seeking an escape.
“Don’t go,” I begged.
She didn’t say anything. She just glowered and turned and made her way quickly to one of the side doors.