A Beautiful Evil by Kelly Keaton Read Free Book Online Page A

taken them to her temple. And unfortunately, I don’t know where that is. Temples are the gods’ best-guarded secrets. Or at least, guarded from us.”
    “Anything in the library about them?”
    “Plenty, I’m sure. Though, to my knowledge, no one has found exact locations. The library is vast, as you’ll see, so don’t give up hope.”
    I don’t intend to , I thought, shoving another bite into my mouth.
    We finished eating, the silence interrupted occasionally by Michel asking a question or commenting on something. I barely paid attention. The sounds beyond the courtyard grew louder as the sun went down. The faint tunes of a saxophone mingled with the hum of pedestrian traffic and the occasional echo of carriage creaks and hooves.
    Lights eventually came on in the courtyard, making the tall iron street-style lamps glow yellow. White Christmas lights were wrapped around some of the trees. And the pool was illuminated by underwater interior lights.
    “I believe another parade is about to begin. Would you like to watch from the front porch?” Michel placed his napkin on the table and stood.
    Sebastian and I followed his lead.
    “I should probably go before it gets too crazy,” I said.
    “Ah. Well, understandable. Sebastian will see you home.”
    I thanked Michel for dinner, and then he walked toward the house, leaving Sebastian and me standing alone by the table. Awkward and alone.
    “One second,” he said quickly, and then went after his father. They exchanged words by the stairs before Michel continued up to the second-story balcony and into the house.
    “You don’t have to see me out,” I told him as he came back to the table. “Unless you’re going home too.”
    “No. I have more training to do, but it’s fine.”
    Don’t sound so enthused , I thought as I drew in a deep breath, turned, and headed toward the gate.

 
Seven
    S EBASTIAN LOCKED THE COURTYARD GATE BEHIND US . “L OOK , you really don’t have to walk me back,” I said again.
    He took my elbow to direct me through the gathering crowd of tourists and locals, many of whom were decked out in Mardi Gras apparel. “I know, Ari. I want to.”
    I wasn’t practiced with guys. I’d never had a boyfriend, and I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, only that I couldn’t take this weird tension between us. I wanted answers, facts, honesty, instead of wondering how he felt about me.
    I pinched the bridge of my nose and released the pent-up breath I’d been holding, getting jostled from behind by a group trying to pass through the ever-growing crowd. They knocked me closer to Sebastian, so close that I smelled his scent and felt his warmth.
    “I don’t need an escort,” I mumbled, and started off through the crowd.
    “Ari.”
    He was somewhere behind me, blocked by several people. The sounds of energetic brass instruments grew louder and louder. The parade was drawing closer, coming down Royal Street. Colors flashed. Sequins, shiny beads, and glitter dusted over skin, sparkled in the light. Masks of every style and color bobbed in the crowd.
    Laughter, voices, and music blended together.
    I was hit hard from the side and lost my balance. Shit. Hands wrapped around my arm and elbow as Sebastian’s voice called from somewhere in the crowd.
    “Thanks,” I breathed, turning toward the Good Samaritan who’d saved me from being trampled by a bunch of inebriated revelers.
    A huge form in a black cloak stood there, regarding me through the eyeholes of a smooth gold Mardi Gras mask. People bumped into him, but he was like an island that did not budge. His head dipped in acknowledgment, and then he melded into the crowd, and I stood there wondering if I’d just come into contact with one of Michel’s mysterious guards.
    The press of people closed around me again, but Sebastian made it to my side and together we weaved our way toward the sidewalk. The crowd moved back with us in a uniform wave as the first float of the parade turned the