Fallen by Stacy Claflin Read Free Book Online Page A

want to pull him into my life? I would run the risk of corrupting him, losing the very part of him that I found so intriguing. I would have to make sure that I didn't let that happen.
    Grabbing the remote, I decided to watch the TV to get ideas on what kind of a story I would give him. It had to be something that would be believable and at the same time evoke male protection. If he felt like he could protect me from something, then he would definitely want to spend more time with me. Guys love to be able to protect a girl, always have and always will.
    I couldn't believe it. I was actually falling for a human. I couldn't ever let Vince know about that. He would never let me live it down. I turned my focus onto the show and ended up staying up late watching some kind of redneck movie marathon. It was so stupid that it was funny, and I couldn't pull myself away.
    At some point I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up and sat up when I heard keys jiggling in the door. I'd chosen that motel because of the low security, so it didn't have the typical card keys from the hotels that I was used to frequenting. I turned off the TV and ran behind a curtain before the door opened. I slipped through the wall with my backpack, glad to be traveling light.
    The sun was just beginning to rise, meaning that I had some time before school started and I had to restart my search for someone to lure Alexis. I'd follow her around again and see if there was any guy who even gave her a glance, then I'd pounce. I knew that finding a boy who actually looked at her wouldn't be an easy task. I hadn't found one yet.
    I decided to grab some breakfast, but not much was open in the still sleeping town. The deli that Alexis worked in was open, so I figured I'd grab a breakfast sandwich and a coffee. I walked in and was surprised to see her working. Why did she work so much? I'd been to her house, those humans raising her made more than enough money to buy her anything that she wanted. Maybe they were the type who didn't want their kids growing up to be spoiled brats.
    "Do you guys have mochas?" I asked. "I haven't seen a coffee stand anywhere in town."
    She smiled. "This may be Washington, but we're far from Seattle. You'd have to hit one of their suburbs before you'll find a coffee stand on every corner. And you will, believe me."
    I sighed. "I may just have to do that."
    "We've got drip coffee for now. Unfortunately our barista is out sick this morning, so you won't get any special coffee."
    "So you do have mochas?" I asked.
    "Yeah, she makes mochas and espressos, but nothing fancy."
    "I'll have to remember that. Just give me a drip coffee for now."
    As I ate my sandwich and sipped the thick coffee, I watched all of the customers to see if anyone paid any attention to her. But of course, no one did. I sighed, knowing that I had a long day ahead of me before getting together with Tanner after his practice.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
     
    After I had enrolled as a student, I was following Alexis to her first class far enough behind that I could watch people's reactions to her, which were nearly non-existent. Except for those two friends from the other day and the occasional teacher, nobody even glanced at her. I was probably going to have to get some random boy addicted to venom and then point her out to him. I'd probably have to use mind control too. Was she going out of her way to be invisible?
    "Hey, what are you doing?" asked a familiar voice from behind.
    Turning around, I saw Tanner and smiled. "I didn't think I'd see you until later."
    He was smiling. "I just got suspended for the day."
    I raised an eyebrow. "That's good news?"
    "Yeah. I punched five guys from the team—and they couldn't even take me. Five against one! Can you believe it?"
    "That's awesome. Hey, let's go somewhere and celebrate."
    "Don't you have to go to your classes?" he asked.
    "Nah. Let's go enjoy the day." Spending the day with