Scent of a White Rose by Tish Thawer Read Free Book Online Page A

That
sounded ominous. "I scanned Justin and the best friend. She was
telling the truth. She and Justin do know each other; apparently he
feeds from her all the time. Yoga is the cover story if you hadn't
guessed."
    Damn. How was I supposed to keep Rose from
learning my secret if she was not only going to be moving out and
coming here more often, but also had a best friend that was the
chosen guest of one of our regular vamps. Man, this sucked.
    "Justin really does like Jillian if that helps
at all." Dax was trying to make me feel better. It wasn't
working.
    Just as we finished cleaning, the curtains
parted and Evangeline walked in. "Did we have a problem? I saw Rose
and her friend outside."
    "No. No problem." Dax kissed her on the cheek.
"We were just cleaning up Justin's mess. What I got from my scan
was that when things had gotten a little hot and heavy between him
and Jillian, she screamed in delight. Then he heard Rose and
Christian coming, and that's when he broke the glass to use as his
cover."
    "That was quick thinking on Justin's part."
Frown lines appeared on Evie's forehead, evidence that she was
concentrating on something else. Suddenly her eyes widened and her
head snapped in my direction. "How does Rose know Terrance?"
    "What?" I was shocked, then I realized that she
was scanning the girls outside as we spoke.
    "I'm scanning Jillian and her memory of the
evening is just as you described. She knows Justin from 'yoga'.
They were making out up here, and then she broke a glass, sending
pieces flying into her neck. What I don't understand is why I just
saw an image of Terrance float through Rose's mind." Evie stared at
me.
    "I have no idea." I was starting to feel
panicked when I suddenly remembered that she had been with me when
Terrance broke out of the woods the other night. "She saw him
coming out of the woods the other night, remember?"
    Evie stood silently for a few more moments.
"Right now, she's thinking of everyone she's met here: Dom, Tori,
us, and though Terrance flashed through her mind just a moment ago,
he's no longer present in her subconscious."
    Relieved, I sat down on the couch. "I just wish
that we would get a sign of the new Sire already. I'm so sick of
keeping my life from her. I want to tell her the truth."
    Evie made her way over to the couch and sat down
beside me. "I know it's hard Christian, but until you have approval
from the new Sire that the change will be made, you know you can't
tell Rose about us."
    I knew she was right, but I just couldn't help
thinking how much easier it would be if Rose knew about us. I
couldn't wait to start making plans with her, maybe even move in
together. And the best part was, I'd finally be able to feed from
her. But that just wasn't going to happen any time soon. "Are we
done here? I need to get back to Rose."
    "Yes, we're done." Evie looked sympathetic as
she took Dax's hand and headed towards the curtained exit. "I feel
so bad for him," I heard her whisper.
    "Don't feel bad for me Evie. I know it will all
work out soon."
    Suddenly, she whipped around and launched
herself directly at me, grabbing me by my shirt as she slammed me
down onto the couch. "What the hell?" I yelled.
    The curtains flew open, and I saw Rose and
Jillian standing there, trying to take in the scene before them. I
was lying on the couch as Evangeline hovered over me, both hands
wadded in the front of my shirt.
    "What the hell's going on here?" Rose
demanded.
    Evangeline stared deeply into my eyes before
smoothing the front of my shirt back in place, and then she
plastered a smile on her face. "Christian just saved me," she said
as she righted herself. "My heel snapped and thankfully he broke my
fall."
    I looked at Evie and got the distinct feeling
that something major had just happened between us, but I truly had
no idea what it was, and now was obviously not the time to find
out. She bent down and removed her shoe, which did in fact have a
broken heel. After apologies and polite