The Dead (The Thaumaturge Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

hardness leaving his face. “I just worry.”
    That made some of my irritation chip off and fall away and I gave him a small, close-mouth smile. “I appreciate that,” I said. “I do. But I can take care of myself.”
    He nodded, his eyes firm on my face. I shoved a forkful of greasy noodles into my mouth.
    “Got plans for the week?” he asked after a while.
    I appreciated the blatant attempt to change the subject. “Just work tomorrow,” I said. “Then on Friday I’m going to have dinner at my mom’s. Saturday I’m going hunting. Why?”
    He shrugged. “No reason. Just wondering if you are going to be around.”
    “No house parties, Leo.”
    “I just wanted to try again sometime this weekend. If you’re up for it.”
    It was my turn to shrug, though I did so with hesitation.
    “All right,” I said reluctantly. “Just, not JJ’s. We’ll go somewhere else. JJ’s is too close to home.”
    “I’m getting better,” he said, a little defensively.
    “I know,” I replied. “It’s just so risky.”
    “Not when you’re with me.” Something in his expression eased, and Leo stepped up to me, sliding his arms over my shoulders and joining his hands behind my neck. My heart leapt and started pounding. I shifted uncomfortably, but didn’t move away.
    “It’s always risky,” I protested. “Something could go wrong.”
    “Hasn't yet,” he said, tightening his arms around me and resting his chin on my shoulder. I fumbled with the carton of food, shoving it at the counter so that I could put my hands on his hips. I tried to hold him away from me but the sharp points of his hipbones pressed against my thumbs and my stomach fluttered with nerves. The nearness of him made other parts of me wake up and pay attention.
    “Leo –” I said.
    “What?” he played dumb, turning his head to nuzzle at my neck. His lips touched my skin and all my insides went to butter. My grip on his hips faltered. He took the opportunity to move closer, pressing his chest against mine. The girl’s stolen blood flushed his skin and even through my shirt his body felt warm. His lips trailed down my neck and he stroked my back, scratching a little on my shoulder blades where he knew I liked it.
    “I've been missing you,” he murmured into my neck. “Can I stay with you tonight?”
    I swallowed heavily. Those words, of course, exactly what I wanted to hear, and all the bruised, scratched up parts of me felt suddenly soothed. I could feel the shabby layers of protection I had built up around my heart flake away, brushed aside just from one touch.
    “Sure,” I said, letting my hands roam from his hips to his ass and giving him a tentative squeeze. Leo growled low in his throat and for just a second his fangs rested on my skin. I drew back to look him in the eyes.
    “Behave,” I said warningly.
    “I am,” he snapped back, and pulled me down for a bruising kiss. I struggled, breaking the kiss and turning my head away. Grimacing, I wiped at my mouth with my sleeve.
    “Go brush your teeth,” I said to him. “You taste like blood.”
    He shrugged, and started back into the living room. “I don’t know how you – of all people – can be so uptight about blood,” he said to me over his shoulder. “Get some perspective, Ebron.”
    I just shook my head, grabbing my dinner and retreating back into my bedroom to eat alone.
     
    Leo knocked on my bedroom door an hour later, and slipped in before I could say anything. I sat propped up in bed with a book on my knees, my reading light a warm golden glow. Johnny’s tail began to thumb at the sight of Leo, and I put my hand on his side to give him a gentle shove.
    “Out, Johnny,” I told him, and he looked at me mournfully for a second, before jumping off the bed and slinking off into the hall.
    Leo dropped his towel and I inhaled the scent of soap and shampoo. He pulled back the covers and slid in, pressing his still-damp body against mine. I hummed in pleasure, his body warm and