Invincible (A Centennial City Novel) by Fionn Jameson Read Free Book Online Page B

ride with them in my lap.”
    He nodded stiffly. “As you wish.”
    I slid into the cool atmosphere, the dark giving me pause and the driver shut the door behind me. I felt that familiar sense of panic, of drowning in the perpetual darkness worse than anything else, but managed to find the switch for the window before I could hyperventilate. It was cold, but I would sacrifice warmth for the tiny ray of light.
    A vampire hunter that feared the darkness.
    Had anyone known, it would’ve been too shameful.
    Father thought he beat that particular trait out of me, but he hadn’t.
    A shame. It could have been helpful.
    The drive was not long and when the driver pulled into the driveway of a three story brownstone, I stared up at the building that looked like every other building on the street.
    I opened the door and got out before the driver could come around to my side. Perhaps his lips twitched with displeasure, but I had always done everything myself. I hated waiting for other people. Things always got done fast if I did it. Besides, I am not so privileged to have other people open doors for me. I still had hands, still had power enough to do it myself.
    “Is he here?”
    The street seemed deserted and the brownstones on either side had their blinds drawn. They, too, seemed empty.
    “He is.”
    I thought I saw a shadow move across one of the windows on the second floor of the building in front of me. “Is it just him?”
    “I am not sure I can answer that, Miss.”
    Miss. It was strange hearing me referred in such a way. “What do I do? Do I just walk in?”
    I wished I could see the driver’s eyes as he shrugged. They say eyes are the window to a man’s soul…most of the time, they’re right. “I had very explicit directions regarding this, Miss. Mr. Eldridge made it extremely clear I was to lead you here. Whatever happens after, whatever happens now, is strictly your choice. If you were to walk down the street, I could not stop you. Were you to get back in the car and tell me to take you back to your home, I would do it. Your choice is your own.”
    An interesting idea.
    But one that was inherently flawed.
    After all, I had been led here, hadn’t I?
    My choice had been made for me.
    A gilded cage. Pretty to look at, but still a cage, whichever way you look at it.
    I adjusted the duffel bag on my shoulder, so it sat more comfortably. “Is the door unlocked?”
    He shook his head wordlessly.
    Right.
    I walked up the seven steps to the front door and heard the car start up. By the time I tried the doorknob, the car was already halfway down the quiet street.
    The door was locked, just like he said, and I spared a glance at the brass doorbell button next to mailbox slot.
    I could ring it, or I could simply call out to the small figure I could see standing behind the stained glass insets of the burgundy cherrywood door. Probably not Jason. “Do you want me to ring the doorbell?”
    The door opened silently on oiled hinges.
    “Are you Ran?”
    The girl was beautiful, small and delicate like a doll, black hair loose about her slim shoulders, thick bangs brushing the tops of her faint eyebrows. Her skin looked white, almost like she powdered her face, but I knew if I touched her, my fingers would come away clean.
    “I am. Who are you?”
    She smiled almost shyly and I watched her canines elongate, ever so slightly, almost like watching a rose bloom in quick-motion. Disturbing, to say the least. “Reiko. Our names are similar!”
    Appearance-wise, she seemed about ten. I would’ve bet she was at least ten times older. With one swift movement, she could stick out her foot and I’d end up halfway down the street. Moving with caution never seemed so prudent. When in doubt, flatter. “Nice to meet you, Reiko. You’re the cutest girl I’ve ever seen.”
    She giggled and flicked a lock of hair over one shoulder. “Thank you. You have a nice face, too. Won’t you come in?”
    You have a nice face, too.
    Such innocent