Avenger by Su Halfwerk Read Free Book Online Page A

light, depending how one’s disposition colored it. Luke saw it as a short prelude that rendered him blind to auras until sunset.
    Lights were on in the bakery shop below his loft, the aromas of freshly backed rolls, scones, and pastries would drift up his window until noon. By his side, Pru walked in silence, her loneliness tangible and consuming.
    You know her? Celestine whispered in his head.
    Yes. He’d kept his communication with his guide on a telepathic level to avoid the confusion of the other day.
    We grew up together. He didn’t want to discuss her, didn’t want Celestine getting on his case about her. So you see, I wasn’t hallucinating.
    One can argue the entity you have been speaking of is still a figment of your imagination. I have witnessed a one-sided conversation in the hospital. Nevertheless, I believe you. Any idea how she came to be in this state?
    She was in a car accident after which she fell in a coma. I’ll find out more from her, Luke said.
    Good. The more we know about these oddities the better we are equipped to handle them .
    Pru, an oddity to be handled? The combination of those words was wrong. He kept his mouth shut and climbed the stairs two at a time, glancing behind once. It was disheartening to see her float over each step.
    Celestine said, This means you will not perform your other business in her presence.
    If she doesn’t like it, she’s welcome to leave. I didn’t force her to follow me.
    Celestine parted with a single comment. I do not wish for your business to be the end of you one day.
    To himself, Luke mumbled under his breath, “That day has come and gone.”
    “Sorry?” Pru asked.
    “What?” He growled at her.
    Pru flinched, the black of her eyes melting into a sea of doubt. “I thought you said something.”
    Just hearing the defensiveness in her voice made his chest ache. “Talking to myself.”
    “Oh.”
    It didn’t take a genius to figure out she didn’t trust him, her savior and executioner at the same time. Her side-glances and pressed lips, all indicated fear. She never feared him when they were younger. She had stood head to head with the toughest douche bag in the vicinity without a flinch. She won some and lost some, but neither got to her head or stopped her. No wonder she’d kept him at a safe distance without encouraging his attraction to her, for her sense of fairness and morality contrasted with his lawlessness.
    Luke unlocked the door and gestured for her to enter before him. She passed him by and asked, “Why’s the change in attitude? Pity?”
    He heard the other question she hadn’t voiced. Would he be going after her body when her back was turned? The thought that she lay weak, unprotected in the hospital nagged at him. All those raspberry red curls tangled around an inherently lovely face, shadows of thick dark lashes cast over high cheeks. Her lips so very red and full, they teased to be tasted.
    What if she became the permanent residence of a rogue spirit?
    Luke pushed both hands in his jeans’ pockets. “You’re not a spirit looking for a B&B. I have no beef with you.”
    She studied him, arms crossed over her chest. “You really believe you’re some sort of priest on a mission to exorcise the world of all spirits.”
    “I never claimed I’m a priest, but yeah, the rest is accurate. Don’t look so surprised, this is beyond what we learnt in school and in textbooks.” At the skeptical look in her eyes, he added, “You already know I can turn pale and invisible.”
    That seemed to take the wind out of any further arguments regarding his so-called delusions. She wandered around the loft, hovering from the kitchenette to the bed, then abruptly moving away from it as though it might lunge at her.
    “So what do we do now? Roast some marshmallows and share scary stories?”
    Luke plopped in the leather armchair. “Tell me how you developed an interest in animals.”
    Her face beamed with a smile so radiant Luke almost moaned. He