Shadow's Light by Nicola Claire Read Free Book Online Page A

breath out in reply. As if I'd share my bed with anyone. Michel had only been dead two months. Hunting wasn't the only reason why I wore all black.
    “No?” Avery murmured. “Then there is space for me. You won't even know I am here, Ms. Monk.”
    That I hardly believed. He just laughed.
    I glanced at the clock on the wall. “I have to go to work in an hour,” I said, struggling to my feet and waiting for the world to stop spinning.
    “Do you think that is wise, in your current state?”
    “The rent doesn't pay itself, Avery. I need to work, unlike some of us,” I muttered in reply.
    He was in front of me in a flash, halting my progress towards the bathroom. “I can take care of all your financial needs, Ms. Monk. You do not need to work.”
    “Yes I do,” I replied, swaying slightly to prevent myself from touching him. He reached out and steadied me anyway. His hot hands a brand against my skin. “Let me go, Avery. I need to shower. I'll be OK after that and a coffee. Maybe something to eat. I'm going to work and that's final.”
    He stepped back after only a moment's hesitation and let me proceed to the bathroom unhindered.
    I felt a hell of a lot better after a hot shower and brushing my teeth and when I came out, fully clothed in a new clean outfit, similar to the one I had on last night, the smell of coffee met me. Avery was trying hard to show he cared. I wasn't sure why he was bothering. We both knew the only thing Avery cared about was himself.
    I drank the coffee in silence, not taking the time or effort to thank him, and made myself a sandwich. The aspirin had done its thing and the world seemed only mildly irritating. So, ten minutes to four I slipped into my jacket after sheathing my knife at my waist and headed for the door.
    “I cannot protect you until sundown,” Avery said from the corner of the room where he sat preternaturally still.
    “I don't need your protection. I'm quite capable of looking after myself.” My hand already on the doorknob.
    “I don't doubt it, Ms. Monk, but if the Fey have ventured to this continent, you will not recognise them in time. Until I can teach you to sense them, you are vulnerable.”
    “I promise to stay behind the bar until you get there,” I said, sarcastically.
    He ignored the tone. “Good, I will be there just after sundown.”
    Great, I thought to myself as I stomped down the stairs from my flat, altering my heavy footfalls to something more quiet when my head began to threaten to pound. Now I had a babysitter. I could imagine what Gabriel would say when he turned up tonight.
    The four hours to sunset went remarkably fast. I didn't have a chance to feel sick. Even pouring Caipirinhas didn't make me want to hurl or cringe. Maybe my stomach was made of sterner stuff than I had thought. Until Avery turned up.
    Dressed the same as last night, this time his leather jacket had been left behind at my flat, so his broad shoulders and well-toned chest was more noticeable than usual. The eyes of several females turned and watched him glide towards the bar. If I had thought vampires could ooze predatory hunger, I hadn't met a Brazilian lady on the prowl.
    “You better watch out,” I said, as he slid into a seat in front of me. “You've already been marked and target-locked by at least six.”
    Avery looked over his shoulder casually, taking in the six women I had spotted and then a few more. He turned slowly back to me, a smile on his lips that made him look even more gorgeous than before. “Are you jealous, Ms. Monk?”
    “Hardly,” I snorted and handed a customer their drink. Avery watched me as I dealt with the guy's change. Smiling at the tourist when he complimented the speed of service. Lame, but I gotta make them happy. Jorge, Gabriel's father, insisted on making the customers feel welcome. That way they'd spend more money of course. This chap would definitely be back.
    I turned back to Avery and found his eyes intently staring at me. Hints of amber