(Rainshadow, #2) Deception Cove Read Online Free PDF Page A

would have been a thousand times worse. A lot of people, male or female, would have been crushed by the experience.
    He opened the door. The deep, throbbing rumble of a heavy rez-rock tune playing on a cheap sound system spilled out into the otherwise silent street. Houdini chortled, clearly excited.
    “He’s a fan of rez-rock,” Alice said. “He also loves the bar snacks and pizza here.”
    Drake heightened his senses a little as Alice slipped past him into the shadowy tavern. She was so close that she brushed against him. She seemed unaware of the brief physical contact but he got a hot, heady thrill that left him on edge.
    He told himself that he was still gathering information about Alice, still analyzing the situation and evaluating possible strategies. Maybe, on some level, that was even true. But he knew that in reality he’d been fascinated from the moment he had seen her illuminated in a thousand shades of paranormal light, hauling a suitcase through an alley while she out-maneuvered two knife-wielding assailants.
    In that moment he’d seen everything he needed to know about her—she was the kind of woman who would never give up, regardless of the obstacles. No matter what life threw at her, she would just keep going.
    That inner fire marked her in subtle ways. There was a fierce, vibrant energy about her that called to his senses. She was striking rather than beautiful; intriguing rather than glamorous; strong-willed rather than flirtatious. She radiated an interesting mix of innocence, irrepressible optimism, and savvy, street-smart intelligence. Her dark brown hair was caught in a ponytail. Dressed in a sleek, long-sleeved black turtleneck, black jeans, and black sneakers, she looked like a cat burglar heading out for an evening’s work.
    He followed her into the moderately crowded tavern. The khaki-and-leather gear worn by several of the men occupying barstools identified them as members of the local Ghost Hunters Guild. They were drinking beer and Green Ruin whiskey. A man and a woman sat in a nearby booth. The man looked as if he was trying to convince the blonde to go home with him. The blonde looked bored.
    Another booth was filled with a gaggle of young women dressed in flirty little dresses—
expensive
flirty little dresses—and stilettos.
Definitely not from
around this neighborhood,
Drake thought. The women were drinking colorful drinks and trying to look as if they weren’t aware of the ghost hunters at the bar who were eyeing them in turn. It was a familiar ritual in the Old Quarters. Taverns like the Green Gate were popular destinations for bachelorette parties, coeds out for a little fun, and ladies from the more affluent suburbs who wanted to party.
    The large, middle-aged woman working behind the bar was busy filling a beer glass. She looked up when Alice walked in.
    “Hey there, Alice, you’re early tonight,” the bartender called in a hearty voice. “What happened?”
    “The act closed, Maud.” Alice plunked her tote down on a seat in an empty booth and slid in beside it. “The owner of the theater cancelled me. Houdini and I are now unemployed. Again.”
    There was a low chorus of commiserating responses from the crowd at the bar.
    “Ah, now that’s just too damn bad,” one of the hunters said.
    “Real sorry to hear that,” another added. “You gonna be okay?”
    “Oh, yeah, I’ll be fine,” Alice said. “This is the way it goes in show business.”
    “Maybe you could get a job at that new magic show that opened up a few blocks from here,” someone offered. “
Catacombs of Mystery.
”
    “Maybe,” Alice said. She did not sound optimistic.
    Houdini was the only one who appeared unconcerned by the sudden reversal of fortune. He chortled and bounced down to the floor. He scampered across the room, bounded up onto an empty stool, and from there hopped onto the bar. Several of the hunters greeted him.
    “Lookin’ good, Houdini,” one said. “Nice tie.”
    A hunter