Shadow's Light Read Online Free PDF Page B

Iunctio scares me more.
    We found an empty table in the middle of the rest. A group of intoxicated tourists standing up and leaving mid-drink as soon as we arrived. I flashed a glance at Avery, but his eyes were hazel, no amber or ochre or jade. If he had glazed them to vacate their seats to us, I couldn't tell. I sat down opposite him, but he was quick to move his chair closer to mine. Not right up against me, mind you, but within striking distance. Within reaching distance.
    Maria came to take our order. She waits the tables, not up at the bar. Avery asked for a bottle of Cachaça and two shot glasses in fluent Portuguese. Better than my bastardised attempts anyway. And then turned his attention to me.
    “I like your outfit, Ms. Monk,” he drawled. “But, I prefer the short skirt you usually wear. Such an enticing little number. It hints at what is so readily available for the taking. Your shorts, although hugging your arse rather nicely, are an unwanted impediment to the chase.”
    He was trying to throw me off balance. The cruder he got, the more effective it would normally be. Hints and innuendo are Avery's style. But, I've been through Hell and back recently. He may be streaked in evil and have a hell of a lot of Dark within, but he ain't the devil himself. I've met something like him and Avery does not compare.
    "Fuck off, Avery," I answered with a sweet smile.
    Before Avery had a chance to formulate a reply our bottle of Cachaça arrived with the two glasses in tow. It wasn't Maria who brought them to us, but Gabriel. And as he placed them down on the table between us with care, his eyes were all for the vampire opposite me. And they were not friendly at all.
    “Who's your friend, Luce?” Gabriel asked, not taking his eyes off Avery for a second. I couldn't tell if that was a natural instinct or merely a jealous streak surfacing. Either way, keeping Avery in your sights was a wise move for anyone.
    “This is Avery,” I said, about to add something like; an old friend, but didn't get the chance.
    Avery turned his attention to Gabriel and in one languid perusal of his competition had him completely sussed. “Her fiancé, you might say,” he offered with a crooked smile.
    “I am not ,” I interjected before Gabriel had a chance to voice his surprise.
    “Now, now, darling,” Avery said in his usual drawl, “just because we have had disagreements does not mean I no longer love you.”
    I think my mouth hung open for a second before I glared at him wordlessly. There was no point putting up a fight. Avery would only enjoy it more. Besides, I was leaving here tonight. I'd never see Gabriel again. And it was better, safer, if he thought I had left with my fiancé .
    Nobody said anything for a while. Avery had returned his attention to me, an amused look gracing his handsome face. He'd dismissed Gabriel as non-threatening and made it quite obvious to the human that he no longer cared if he was there or not.
    Gabriel stiffened, but all credit to him, didn't run away with his tail between his legs. “You need anything, Luce, just wave, I'll be there. Anything at all.” I saw him clench his fists once at his sides and then he turned and headed toward the bar. I'd no doubt he would watch us. Coming here had been a mistake.
    “You do attract the most interesting attention, Ms. Monk," Avery declared, watching Gabriel walk back towards the bar. "An oculus, very rare.”
    “A what?” I asked.
    Avery started pouring the Cachaça into the glasses. “An oculus , a Norm with the ability to see supernaturals. He can see us, but not perceive what we are. His attraction to you is due to the Light he can sense in your soul. He knows you are not human, but he does not know what you are, other than being good. You are good, aren't you, Ms. Monk?”
    I just stared at him and he laughed, a deep rumble in his chest.
    “To being supernaturals,” he announced, pushing one of the glasses towards me. He lifted his and raised his