Demigod Down by Kim Schubert Read Free Book Online

sleep beckoning me. “I don’t
know. They didn’t have any ID and their matching sugar skull
jackets aren’t something I remember seeing before,” I answered with
a sigh.
    “Sugar skull?” Blake asked, stiffening next
to me.
    “Yeah, they had roses for eyes,” I said,
settling back down in the covers.
    “Where was this?” He questioned, stroking my
back.
    “At Kitten. Such a weird night,” I muttered
before slipping back off to sleep.
…
    When I awoke next, the bed was empty. I
suppose since I hadn’t expected Blake back yet, I shouldn’t feel
the sinking disappoint in my chest, but I did.
    Groaning, I puttered around pulling out
freshly washed clothing from the neatly folded pile on the chest at
the end of the bed, before I padded downstairs, shoes, and knives
in hand.
    Blake had hired on a new cook, and I missed
the plump African American woman who made an amazing grilled
cheese.
    “Hey Alfie.” I said, giving him a half-smile
as he set a plate in front of me for breakfast.
    “Good Morning Olivia. I trust you slept
well.” Alfie dictated regally to me in his British accent. Alfie
doubled as cook and head of security now. There were no longer any
more innocent bystanders in the crossfire. Blake had spent a great
deal of time in making the decision. We had spent hours on the
phone, reviewing applications.
    I was sold when Alfie stated he enjoyed
cooking immensely.
    I smiled, digging into the eggs and French
toast greedily. Alfie stood watching me, gulping down some orange
juice. I smiled, “It’s great.” I said, thinking he was waiting for
a verdict.
    Leaning against the kitchen island, he
regarded me closely still. Shoving another bite into my mouth, I
watched him warily, cleaning off my plate quickly.
    I wiped my mouth with a napkin. Raising an
eyebrow, I finally asked, “What, Alfie?”
    “Has Blake informed you of the latest
headache he is dealing with?” Raising a blond eyebrow.
    “No, and that is his decision,” I informed
him.
    He nodded, “I need to program your voice and
fingerprint into the security system. Now that you are here in
person, please follow me.” He ushered me out.
    Wistfully, I looked back at the kitchen. I
could eat more, but his retreating back didn’t give me much of an
option so I followed him into the security office.
    He was just as comfortable here as he was in
the kitchen, relaxed and in control as I slid into the steel-framed
chair behind the glass and metal desk.
    “This will only take a moment.” Alfie said
behind his desk, absorbed in adjusting his electronics.
…
    True to his word, I was out and headed toward
the manor, on time. Shocking.
    Parking in the circle driveway, I checked my
knives before heading toward Jerry and Kass on the manors
steps.
    “Well I’ll be a monkey’s uncle, are you
actually on time?” Jerry asked.
    “Ha.” I informed him, hugging him in
greeting.
    Rubbing his hands together, he grinned
foolishly. “I do love taking you shopping, Olivia.”
    I grunted a reply as I slipped into the back
seat, giving Kass the front.
    “Kass, is moving in with someone really a
huge big, monumental deal?” I asked, leaning between the seats,
living dangerously without my seat belt.
    “Typically.” She said guardedly. “Why?”
    “Something Luke said, that moving in together
was followed by marriage and kids.” I muttered, cracking my neck
uncomfortably.
    “I think that is true in the traditional
sense, but nothing about you is traditional, Olivia,” Jerry chimed
in.
    “Why?” I asked without thinking, “You know
what? Never mind, I actually don’t want the answer to that
question.”
    Jerry cleared his throat and Kass shifted,
“So weddings are themed usually, right?” I asked, changing the
topic.
    Kass picked up the topic change easily, “Yes,
you are going to be wearing eggplant.”
    “The vegetable?” I asked with a raised
eyebrow.
    “No,” she said laughing, “the color.”
    “We should probably change your hair