Phoenix Fallen by Heather R. Blair Read Free Book Online Page B

love, though he did question their mysterious ability to forgive each other. Both of their sins had been huge; Kelsey targeting Miles per the Cleaners' orders, then falling for him instead, Miles not hearing her out when he'd found out the truth, cutting her out of his home, his life, but apparently not his heart.
    It was crazy, but for them, even though it had taken over a decade, the story had a happy ending.
    Jules had thankfully never looked at Kelsey in that way either, even less so than Fan, cause she was like his sister, but he might never get over the fact that Miles had turned him.
    Lost in his thoughts, Jules jumped when on her way outside, Fannie hip-checked him hard, a tray full of cut veggies and dip in her hands.
    "Have a broccoli tree, Jules. You need your greens."
    He declined to point out that as a vamp, he didn't need food at all, because he also didn't need another dose of Fannie's sharp tongue.
    "Yeah, especially with all the abuse handed out around here." He ran a hand down his side where she'd banged into him before grudgingly looting the tray.
    "You'll survive." Her eyes were dark and wise and loving on his. "If you take care of yourself."
    "That's what I have you for, right?"
    She snorted. "I am not your mama, mister." Then she sighed at the flash of pain she must have seen in his eyes. "God knows, I love you though, Jules. Bring this damn woman over, you hear me? No excuses. Maybe she's what you need. Even if it's just for a little while. There's no shame in that, sweetie. You could use the distraction."
    "I could use something, but a damn vampire isn't likely to do me any good, Fan."
    "You never know. Seems to me one saved your life not so long ago." Fannie gave his shoulder a squeeze before moving off to pimp the veggies out to her little monsters.
    Jules watched her go, shaking his head. Everyone who loved him seemed grateful to Miles for 'saving' him, even when they knew about those screams from his past.
    But how was he supposed be thankful he had a future as the very creature that had destroyed his past?
     

Chapter 6
     
     
    Rehearsals were a necessary evil, but it didn't mean Rissa had to like them. For one thing, none of the band were vamps, or even shades, so that meant waking at the first fading of the sun so that she could get into the club at a decent enough hour that the rest of them could enjoy their 'day off'.
    She yawned and sipped her BBC; brandy, Bailey's and coffee, which as far as she was concerned was ambrosia. It was true that as a vamp, caffeine and alcohol had very little effect on her undead body, but physical memory died a lot harder than flesh. The warmth of the cup, the taste and the smell of the liquid had an effect alright, even if it was just psychological.
    Rissa was having other psychological issues right now, too. Jules hadn't been back since that night they'd argued. Well, except for last night, when she was positive she'd seen him duck in for a minute.
    Before disappearing again.
    Asshole.
    He was an annoying, grumpy, new vamp headcase. So what if she found him sexy as hell? She was better off without him around. Winding her up with worry and that ridiculous lust…
    She sighed and lowered her face to her cup, breathing in the delightful smell, hoping it would clear her head, when Benny let out a deliberate cough. Rissa looked up to see Jules standing just inside the front doors. Well, hell.
    "I think the sign says 'Closed'." She said, a full minute after their eyes caught and held.
    He shrugged and walked toward the stage. "If the sign means what it says, then someone should lock the goddamn door."
    "Let's take five, peeps." Benny said as Rissa leaned over and set her half-empty mug on an amp. The rest of the band moved off down the hall to the dressing rooms. When those sounds faded, the bar was eerily quiet. Jules stood at the footlights below her. Her bare foot swung back and forth as she returned his look, her discarded heels resting against the amp.
    Jules