Plague Cult Read Online Free PDF

the linen cupboard is.”
    “Right. Okay.” It wasn’t like he was a real guest. They were a team on a mission. A point his next words underlined.
    “And we’ll have to think what renovation project you want me to undertake. When I start something, I like to finish it, so if there’s something that would take about a week?”
    “How would you feel about demolishing the kitchen?”
    He grinned. “You really hate those blue cupboards, don’t you?”
    “Yes.” She smiled back at him, unable to resist the dimple denting his cheek. “I really do.”
    “All right. I’ll rip out the cupboards and the lino floor. If they glued it down, that might take all week.”
    “They glued it. I checked.”
    He shrugged. “I’ll figure something out.”
     
     
    An hour later, they were on their way into town. Ruth had grabbed a broom and swept out her room, and had Shawn take the broom off her when she tried to sweep out his. Engrained habits of hospitality were hard to break. Both their beds were made up, the linen smelling of lavender and sunshine, and Shawn had turned on the electricity and water, and checked that both worked.
    He hadn’t asked if it was okay to leave the house’s windows open. He was a mage. He would have sensed the strong wards she’d paid an Austin-based mage to install. Those wards kept out thieves and vandals. Not that the house had been vandalized in the couple of decades it stood empty. Perhaps it was its location just outside town that kept it safe?
    They drove in past the elementary school and the auction house with its massive warehouse.
    “You can park here,” she pointed to the large lot set behind the stores and businesses that fronted Main Street.
    “Your family’s diner?” Shawn followed her directions, but his attention was for the restaurant on the corner.
    Ruth looked at the familiar sign, Bideer Diner with two deer framing the name. “Yes.” Once, she’d loved coming to the diner that her mom ran with her sister-in-law, Ruth’s Aunt Peggy. But at fourteen, everything had changed. Ruth hadn’t waitressed there during high school as she’d intended. Instead, she’d earned extra money tutoring. Going to the diner had become an ordeal.
    The thud of the truck’s door sounded loud as she closed it behind her.
    Shawn walked around the back of the truck and joined her. Without looking any different, he’d subtly changed how he presented himself. His shoulders held a new rigidity. He walked warily, alert to sudden noises and movements, to any changes in the environment.
    He behaved like a man just back from a tour of duty, and ready to be attacked.
    Ruth centered herself. They were on a mission now. Shawn lived his cover story. Everyone would believe he was a combat-weary ex-marine. Now, it was up to her to put her game face on. No matter her personal feelings, the diner was the center of the town’s gossip network, so it was where they needed to be.
    Suck it up, Ruthie. It’s time to meet the family.
     

Chapter 3
     
    The diner had changed. Gone were the pastels and pale plastic chairs and tables, and in their place was a rustic, timbered look. But what hadn’t changed were the locals sitting around chatting and eating. A couple of families with toddlers were sitting down to an early dinner. Ruth recognized the parents as people she’d gone to school with, and gave a little wave.
    They called back greetings, and Ruth’s aunt looked up sharply.
    “Ruth.” Peggy didn’t sound welcoming. If anything, her voice held a note of warning, and the older woman glanced worriedly to a table in the corner.
    The table was empty, but Ruth could guess who usually occupied it. Who always did.
    “Evening, Aunt Peggy. Is Mom around?”
    “Helen,” Peggy shouted through the kitchen hatch. She and Ruth had given up years ago pretending any sort of affection.
    “Ruth!” Her mom hurried out, wiping her hands on a floral apron. “Honey, you never said you were visiting. I’d have made up