Terminus Read Online Free PDF Page B

yesterday. 
    “High time.”  Nick flipped the page and wondered what it would be like to be the reaper bringing this one to the Terminus.  Terrorists, murderers, those were the people who should be plucked off the planet like—
    “Hand me the sports section?”
    The sudden materialization of the woman sitting next to him near the ceiling way above the terminal might have startled Nick, had he been human.  But after several millennia working this side of the realms, almost nothing surprised him.
    Nothing save the beauty of the creature who now sat next to him with her hand outstretched:  glistening crimson lips, sapphire eyes, glowing olive skin, raven locks that fell gracefully over her shoulders and half over her lovely features.
    “I was starting to wonder when you’d show up.”  He pulled out the requested section of the newspaper, placed it in her uncommonly warm hand, and  ruffled a page he had been reading as if he were interested in the contents.
    They sat side by side for a few minutes, Nick’s curiosity fighting with his determination not to be the first to break the ice.  Though he had a fairly good idea who she was, he couldn’t be certain. 
    Finally, she spoke.  “I have to say, I’m surprised.”
    “Are you?”  He turned the page, still not looking at her. 
    “I’m surprised you accepted this position.  Few angels of your caliber would.”
    “I’m not just any angel.”  He kept his expression neutral.
    The sunlight entering the station momentarily backlit her outline like a halo of white gold.  If mortal, she’d probably be in her mid-twenties.  But the intensity of those sapphire eyes gave the impression of someone more wise than youthful. 
    “Pleased to meet you.  I’m Lena.”
    He held her gaze and wondered if she might be his new supervisor’s assistant.  He reached out to shake her hand. 
    “Nick.”
    Without warning, she pushed him off the ledge with a shove in the shoulder.  Surprised, he turned around while suspended over the oblivious mortals hurrying to and fro in the physical layer.  Lena floated down to him.  
    “I’ve read some impressive things about you, Nikolai.  But frankly, I wonder if you’re not a bit rusty.”  She was grinning, her expression was mischievous.
    “ You’re my new supervisor?”
    “That depends.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “I don’t hire anyone based just on a hand-walked resume or a verbal recommendation.”
    Nick cocked an eyebrow.  “That so?  Then what do you—”
    Before he could see it coming, she threw what looked like a ball of light at him.  It struck him in the gut, sending him to the floor, sliding though the crowd.  Everything around him flickered as his head hit the foot of a set of steps.  She’d caused him to enter the physical layer of existence just long enough for him to feel the impact. 
    He got to his feet and dusted off his jacket. 
    “Cute.”
    “Just seeing if there’s any merit to your dossier.  It says you were a highly decorated guardian.”  She landed right in front of him, grabbed his arm, then with amazing force threw him clear across the promenade, under the American flag that fluttered as he passed beneath it, and straight for the tall windows.  If he crashed through the glass, shards would rain down on all the people below.
    And so, just in time, Nick forced himself to remain outside the physical layers of time and space.  As he whisked through the window silently, it occurred to him that it had been centuries since he’d had the pleasure of sparring.  Never mind that Tamara considered it childish—whether with another angel or in battle with a demon, it had always given him a rush. 
    Nick hovered over the traffic lights of 42nd Street, then launched himself back inside Grand Central.   Lena was nowhere to be found. 
    “Hiding, are we?”  He scanned the area.  “Not quite as impressive as I might have—”
    A loud grunt from his throat cut off his words.