Arjun by Fionn Jameson Read Free Book Online

all? All you’re going to tell me?”
    “In all honesty, Hwang, I think that’s all you need to know about the past. What concerns me is the future.”
    He sat back down and I let out a breath. Sitting down, he was far enough to be out of reach. I liked having that kind of distance between us.
    Strange. Before I knew the truth, I had been tempted to touch him, just to see how he would react.
    And now, you couldn’t pay enough to get me to stand near him, much less tap him on the shoulder. “Future? Who says there’s going to be a future?”
    If Jason couldn’t help me get close to Noir, then I saw little point in continuing my relationship with him. It seemed pointless, at best. At worst…no, best not to think about it. “Forgive me if it seems like I’m flogging a dead horse, but is Jason your real name?”
    Once the words left my mouth, I winced. It was a completely unnecessary question. It didn’t matter what his name was. What was it Shakespeare said? Something about a rose being a rose no matter the name, right?
    “It’s real,” he said, leaning back in the seat, hands crossing in his lap. “As to our future…I can make it so you can infiltrate Noir’s establishment and take him out. Those are your orders, aren’t they?” His eyes glowed. “However, what if you were to k>
    “An interesting proposition,” I replied. “Go on.”
    He seemed terribly amused. “By the time we’re done, a very strong vampire will be gone. I’m offering you a chance to come along for the…ride. What do you say?”
    I met his eyes, let my gaze harden. I’m quite good at it, apparently. “You say your fiance was abducted four years ago. When you said this before, I believed you. After all, for a normal human being, the only way he is going to receive assistance is through the help of others with more influence, more power. I have little doubt, that if you put your mind to it, you could crush the Fellowship.”
    “You flatter me.” The corners of his eyes crinkled, but there was no warmth to that smile.
    “Why did you wait?” I resisted the urge to walk around the room and turn on all the lights, even the small chandelier dangling above us, shivering in the wake of the heated breeze that floated about the room. The small lamp by his elbow was providing light, but it seemed to make the darkness that much more obvious, that much more dangerous.
    He ran his hand over his strong jawline in a parody of thought. “Why did I wait?”
    “You had four years to exact your revenge,” I said. “Four years is a long time.”
    “It is a long time.” He straightened in his seat. “Would you like a drink?”
    I let my lips twist. “Remember? I don’t drink.”
    “Ah, of course,” he said. “How could I forget? Well, then I hope you will excuse me while I pour myself a drink. Regrettably, I do not have any juice.”
    Was he playing with me? It was an unpleasant idea. "That's fine."
    I watched him as he proceeded behind a large desk and pulled out a small, crystal bottle off a high shelf along with a short glass. The amber inside was golden. “Does Martinez know you could have bought the damn bar?”
    He laughed. “Unfortunately, or perhaps not, you are the only person who knows the truth, Ms. Hwang.”
    “Not Pang?”
    He stopped pouring as the glass became half full. “I do apologize. Jase…as you can see, was a bit of a test. I had to know who they would send. In order to find Shannon and find the vampire who took her, I needed someone strong, but someone unobtrusive enough to be given much notice.”
    I blinked. “Unobtrusive?”
    Bringing the glass with him, he took his seat again and watched me from under hooded eyes. “I have a plan that requires a very specific type of person.”
    I have a plan that requires a very specific type of person .
    “And you think I’m that person…” I began, slowly. “You think I can blend into the background.”
    He nodded. “No offense, but it seems like most women do.