The Gossamer Gate Read Online Free PDF Page B

legs!”
    “And very nice ones at that,” Josh said, his appreciative glance lingering on her legs so long, it made her skin tingle. “ Who’s the lucky guy?”
    “One of my students.” Khiara dug into her bag for her book and dice.
    “Well, damn, girl.”
    “ Are you leaving early?” Sean asked as he sank down into his chair.
    “Yeah , but not too early,” she answered. “He’s picking me up at eight o’clock or so. I hope you don’t kill my character off while I’m gone.”
    “ I’ll try to control myself,” Sean said wryly, his gaze on Khiara.
    Khiara was trying to simultaneously ignore him and gauge his reaction. She had not accepted the date with Matt in hopes of making Sean jealous. She was too practical for that, and certainly not desperate or shallow enough to try to incite envy in anybody for any reason. However, she would have been lying to herself if she did not admit that she hoped for some sort of reaction akin to protectiveness from him.
    With a toss of her head, she laid her character sheet and dice on the table, and said, “Let’s do this.”
    As the game progressed, Josh’s flirtation with her became bolder. He was the group’s token womanizer, and she knew better than to encourage his attentions. The air was heavy with tension throughout the night, until a knock at the door made Khiara leap off the bench, knocking her book, papers, and dice everywhere.
    “I think that’s for me,” she said with a giggle as she shoved everything back in her bag. Paper crinkled beneath her book, but she ignored it.
    “Why are you so damn jumpy?” Sean asked, watching her movements.
    “Excuse me?” Khiara loo ked up at him. “Oh, I guess…” There was another knock and she slung her bag over her shoulder. “I’ll see you guys next weekend.”
    “By the way,” Sean said. “Your character is trapped together in the cave and you’ll pretty much die, unless the party decides to rescue you.”
    Khiara hesitated on the threshold and glared at him. “That’s kind of bullshit, Sean.”
    “It’s my game.”
    She gaped at him for a moment, then shook her head, bit back her retort, and flung open the door. Matt stood on the front step, fist poised to knock again. “Wow,” he said after a breath.
    “Thanks. Let’s go.” Khiara shut the door behind her and followed him to his car. As she slid into the passenger seat, she realized that feeling of being watched had resumed when she stepped outdoors. It wasn’t quite as strong as it had been during her walk earlier, but there was a definite presence there. She took a deep breath and turned to Matt as he got into the driver’s side.
    “ So, are you ready for ice cream?” he asked, as he turned the key in the ignition.
    “No,” she answered softly. “Do you want to come back to my place?”
    He looked up at her and then down at her dress. “Oh, wow…”
    “Good.” She relaxed in the seat and said, “You know where I live.”
    Matt nodded. “For the record, I’m not going to say anyone about tonight, whatever happens.”
    Khiara smiled at him. Out of all her students, he was one of the sweetest, the nicest. She knew he was telling the truth. “I just need something else right now,” she said in a soft voice. “We can always have that ice cream later.”
    It was a short ride down the street to her house. Khiara slid out of the car and led Matt up the path.
    Don’t forget.
    She turned to look back at the street, and pushed a stray strand of hair off her face as a breeze sprang up, whispering through the leaves, the flowers, and the grass.
    I still need you. This mortal cannot keep me from you.
    Khiara squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on the feeling of the ground beneath her feet. She fought back against the chill that tried to wrack her body, against the pull of the whispers.
    Nine years . The dry words rustled against her like autumn leaves.
    Her eyes snapped open and she turned to jam her key into the lock. “No fucking