Beasthood (The Hidden Blood Series) by A.Z. Green Read Free Book Online Page B

ready to step out but it didn’t budge. She nearly smacked her face against the glass from sitting too close. She pulled it again and frowned when she realized the door was locked. She was focusing closely on the lock that the sudden pop as it was opened made her jump.
    She blinked repeatedly adjusting to the sudden change in light as someone’s shadow loomed over her. She snapped her head up – a lot higher than she’d expected she’d need to- at the tall figure of the driver. She didn’t think he could look any taller than when she’d first seen him but she was mistaken. His height made her nervous. And he wasn’t a slight man either.
    He had a faint smile on his lips and watched her for a short moment before cocking his head back in one quick motion. A signal for her to get out of the car. That irritated her. She didn’t like the way it seemed like he was giving her permission, and she didn’t like how her startled reaction had amused him.
    She pushed the door open with more force than was necessary and slammed it equally as forceful, giving him a look that was almost a scowl. She was too well-mannered to stab him with the full strength of her annoyance, hiding very close behind the surface of her eyes.
                  He was quick to see what annoyance she did reveal however and he turned the smile off like switching off a light.
                  This made her feel victorious –though it did seem just a tad petty in her mind. She then swung round to look back at her aunt as she announced, “I’ll be back in a minute.”
                  The driver began filling up the car.
    “ Okay darling,” her aunt replied. “We’ll be here. Oh Jaz?” Jaz turned around. “You want something to eat or drink?” Jaz shrugged. “Is there anything you’d like?”
    “ I’ll get my own food when I come back.”
    “ Oh now, don’t be silly. You’re in my care now. I can’t be having that.” Jaz knew she’d say that but it still made her uncomfortable. She didn’t like anyone else but her parents spending money on her. No matter how small. It seemed rude. “So, what’ll it be?” Her aunt’s tone gave no room for argument.
                  Jaz sighed with defeat. “I’m not fussed.”
                  Her aunt smiled. “I’ll find something. Drink? Something fizzy, pop, pepsi?”
                  Jaz shook her head. “Um, real orange juice if they have it, if not water is fine.”
    “ Oh yes, I forgot you don’t like soft drinks.”
    “ Not much no.”
                  Her aunt grinned, praising herself inwardly for her good memory. “Okay, orange juice it is. Don’t be too long, will you? I want to be there before it gets dark.”
                  Jaz nodded and shuffled quietly away towards the side of the building.
    The toilets were separate to the shop, standing flush against the right outside wall of the filling station, visible from the parked Mercedes. She stepped in, holding her nose as the smell of piss attacked her and cautiously sidled into the first cubicle, peering down the loo to make sure there were no brown logs lurking inside. Discovering she was safe, she did her business and came out washing her hands whilst she gazed at her reflection. She sighed. “You look like shit, Barker.”
                  Her little, deep-blue handbag that carried her toiletries and make up was slung across her shoulder. She slid it off and placed it on the counter by the sink. She unzipped it and then unzipped the make up bag without taking it out. She found her concealer and dabbed it under her eyes, smoothing it in. After applying a crème pink lippy and some rose blush she scrutinized herself in the mirror.
                  The sudden terrifying image whacked her in the face like a hard slap, coating her retinas so she couldn’t see the room in front of her. The shock of it caused her to knock