Cast In Blood: Revelations Series Book 1: by Christine Sutton, Lisa Lane, Jaime Johnesee Read Free Book Online Page A

room and both doors leading to the street. Always have your back to the wall and one ear to the floor, she'd been taught. Good advice, even for girls who weren't picking up guys and robbing them blind every night.
    She used to turn actual tricks—a legitimate working girl—but the practice had gotten her into far more trouble than it was worth. It wasn't the sex; it was the frequency of it. One would think prostitution would be the perfect gig for a succubus. Turned out, though, that too much soul sucking got addictive—and fast. The more she did it, the more she needed it, and her body just couldn't take that kind of abuse.
    The room fell a shade darker, the air going musty and thick, as the far door opened and a man dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt stepped inside. His soul had a strange darkness to it, something she'd never quite seen before, which told her he wasn't a typical person. He might not even be human, and whatever he did happen to be, it likely wasn't good. He surveyed the room before going to the counter and ordering a soft drink, nothing more, before casually inviting himself to Drew's booth.
    He gestured to the plush seat across the table from her. "May I?"
    Her eyebrows drew together while she struggled to place his scent. It wasn't desire or lust or any of the other stenches that came with most johns; this one was wholly unfamiliar. Whatever it was, it was murky and dirty and not in the least bit pleasant. She hoped if she was dismissive enough, he'd decide she wasn't worth his time. She definitely wasn't going to let on that she could tell he was hunting her.
    "I saw you on the street, and I—"
    "I'm not working right now, so you can save it."
    He sat, taking a sip of his drink. "I couldn't help but see the distress on your face. I can tell you're in a bad place, and I'd like to help."
    She laughed. "I've seen Pretty Woman , and you're no Richard Gere."
    He took another sip then reached across the table, falling just short of her arm. "My name's Kevin. I work at a shelter. You'll be safe there."
    The scent of deception emanated all around him. Mold and oil .
    "Safe?"
    He nodded. "Please come with me. There's someone I think you should meet."
    She took an emotional step back, and the shadows went a shade darker. When she concentrated on them, she could make out the vaguest borders of something that seemed to extend beyond him. Still, whatever it was, she wasn't going to follow its host blindly to the source.
    She slid back in her seat to let the man know she didn't appreciate his attempt to reach out to her.
    "Father Chambers is a righteous man. It's his mission—our mission—to help those who need it most. No one will judge you. We're all family in the eyes of the Church. You don't need to live on the streets."
    "I'm not living on the streets." She crossed her arms, creating an emotional barrier between the two of them. "I share a place with a couple friends."
    Of course, this was only partially true. She wouldn't call her roommates friends, per se, but they got along well enough. J. D. owned the apartment, and rent came in many forms, but it was a roof over her head. She wondered what kind of connection the shadow looming over Kevin had with this "Father Chambers." Most pastors she'd come across had good intentions—but Drew knew all too well that the road to Hell was, indeed, paved with good intentions, and good intentions came in many forms.
    Never before, however, had she seen such a darkness fall under the guise of religion. She imagined Jim Jones's followers had similar shadows following them around. The source had probably been quite the sight to anyone who could perceive all that lay beyond the physical.
    She had never known any different. She'd been born that way, the trait inherited through her father. As much as she loved him, he was a wretched thing. He'd tapped her mother dry when Drew was only four, and her memories of the woman were faint at best. She'd had a pretty, friendly