Dealers of Light by Lara Nance Read Free Book Online Page A

memory sent a surge of anger, almost overwhelming him. Unlike mortals, he was unable to produce his own Light, and Bes left him to die a slow and horrible death.
    A grim smile curled his lips, for he ’d outwitted death in the end.
    A shudder forced away the smile . At first, he’d thought he would go mad and perish in his rocky tomb, but after days alone and weakened, a rat ventured near. He grabbed the creature with the last of his strength, and drained a pitiful amount of Light from its crushed body. A sip of Light and his hatred of Rolf gave him the will to survive. “This presence from the past disturbs me. Do you know why, Carlton?”
    “You can’t mean the one who defeated you is here? In Norfolk?”
    “He did not defeat me,” Desmond snarled, whipping away from the younger man. He paced across the room, shaking with fury. “I am still alive, so I was not defeated.”
    “I’m sorry, Master.” Carlton hung his head.
    “You have no idea what I suffered . I am disturbed because success is within my reach. I will not let it slip away. I’ve waited too long.”
    Carlton frowned. “So it is him?”
    Desmond ignored his question, lost in the past. Hundreds of years, buried alive until the workers came to excavate the old temple ruins and one wretched soul came within his grasp.
    “It took me decades to regain my full powers, and amass the wealth I need to accomplish my goals. My plans are ready to launch and I cannot let Rolf interfere until I am prepared to destroy him.”
    Desmond stalked closer to Carlton. Soon he would need to let Carlton take some of his Light to further his addiction, but not just yet. The need would ensure his servant’s diligence. He continued behind his slave. “You must make certain the men adhere to my commands. There can be no mistakes,” he whispered close to the younger man’s ear.
    Carlton ’s eyes widened, sweat popping out on his face as his tongue snaked over his lips. “Yes, you’re right, of course. I’ll make sure they follow your orders exactly.”
    “Excelle nt.” Desmond circled back to face his young henchman. “Set them straight and return. I need you working on the computer program. I fear we may not have as much time as I’d originally planned to accomplish our goal. Readying the program must be our main focus.”
    Carlton ’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve barely started hacking the television networks, and it will still be several hours before the links are in place to run the massive program.”
    “I’m sure you’re up to the task. Make it happen, Carlton, and you may have a treat.”
    Carlton sucked in a breath, stumbled back, and gave a half bow before hurrying up the stairs after the others.
    Desmond called after him, “Nothing must anger the Huaca , Carlton. Nothing.”

 
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Cara steered her car into the parking lot of Essence of Amber, her cell phone pressed to her ear . She parked and after a moment, hit the END button with a grunt of frustration. “Damn it, Nicki. Where are you?”
    This was the fourth call with no answer. E ither Nicki wasn’t answering on purpose, or she didn’t have her phone on. Hopefully, she hadn’t met with any more problems. Cara didn’t want to hear the girl had ended up in the ER like the one Marc saved.
    Amber’s natural food store sat on a side street near the coastline in Virginia Beach. Cara climbed the front steps of the old two-story wooden house to the large front porch with rockers scattered about. Several patrons rocked away, smiling, nibbling on scones, and sipping smoothies. The old floor boards squeaked in time with their rocking. Wind chimes tuned to complement the seven chakras sent a tinkling melody across the light fall breeze.
    Inside, Cara paused to inhale the delightful fragrances of sandalwood a nd cinnamon. Amber stood behind the counter at the food bar. She handed a paper bag to a customer and smiled when she saw Cara. She raised a finger indicating she would be finished