Edge of Darkness by J. T. Geissinger Read Free Book Online

intensity to stiff, jaw-clenched strain. Suddenly, he radiated violence.
    “How many?” he hissed into the phone. He listened for a beat, then, “And you’re certain they’re headed here ?”
    Another beat of silence, then Christian, in a move that was shocking in its speed, shot to his feet. “Send me everything you’ve got. I’ll be back at the house in ten minutes.”
    Then without another word or glance in her direction, he turned, ran to the door, then set off at a flat-out sprint down the street.
    Ember sat at the table in stunned disbelief, her eyes trained on the front windows, staring at the view of the street beyond, of the pedestrians and the traffic, until Asher darted over, still clutching Mastering the Art of French Cooking in his hands.
    “What the hell have you done to Christian? He ran out of here like he was being chased!”
    Ember shook her head slowly from side to side. “I have…absolutely…no idea.”
    He sighed. “Well, there goes your big sale. Looks like I’ll be needing to hide you from Dante for the rest of the month.”
    She looked down at the copies of Casino Royale on the table, sitting as he’d left them, and had the sudden, uncomfortable realization she didn’t really care about the sale at all.
    Even though she absolutely hated to admit it, what she cared about had just run out the door, and possibly out of her life forever.

“Faster, Corbin,” Christian barked from the back seat of the Audi. At his command, Corbin pressed his foot to the gas pedal and the car lurched forward. The powerful engine propelled them through the winding, cobblestoned streets of Barcelona so fast the scenery became a painted blur of color flashing through the windows.
    His mind was a blur as well.
    All animals are equal. People are easily led. General consensus doesn’t equal incontrovertible truth.
    Ember might be surprised to discover exactly how much he agreed with each of those sentiments. She would definitely be surprised to discover the effect her words had had on him. And the effect her smile had on him.
    Jesus, that smile.
    He’d thought her plain, but now realized his mistake. She was plain in the same way the ocean was plain before dawn, before the sun illuminated the unembellished dark surface of the water, bringing all its color and motion and beauty into brilliant focus as the light reflected off the waves. When she smiled it was like watching sunlight play over water. Her entire face was illuminated. It was transformed.
    It took his breath away.
    In a quiet, natural, earthy way, Ember was lovely.
    She was also human. And, therefore, as much of a danger to him as he was to her. He should stay away. He knew he should.
    And yet…
    All animals are equal .
    If there ever was to be a chance for his kind, if there was to be a future for them, it would hinge on people like her. Like the modest and lovely September Jones, she of the piercing dark eyes and passionate convictions, of the wary glances and spectacular smiles. Of the slightly trembling left hand and arm filled with metal she tried to disguise with long sleeves.
    What is your mystery, human girl ? Christian mused, watching the sprawl and chaos of the city give way to the green expanse of the rolling foothills as they sped nearer to home. And why, why do I care ?
    He had no answer for either one. By the time the car pulled up to the scrolled iron gates that marked the beginning of his property, Christian had managed to convince himself it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t be seeing her again. The quest for an original copy of Casino Royale was a sentimental one, entirely ridiculous. It had no place in the stark reality of the reasons he’d come to Spain in the first place, and the phone call he’d received had only reinforced that.
    He couldn’t afford to get distracted now. He couldn’t afford curiosity. Or flirtations, no matter how innocent they seemed.
    As the gates swung slowly open, his cell phone chirped with an incoming