Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper Series Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

would probably call more than a doctor to come and get me.
    She handed me a bottle of water and two aspirin, which I took politely. Light sparkled off the necklace hanging against her chest, the word “Nancy” scrolled in gold across it. She grabbed at the scarf hanging around her neck, her fingertips fidgeting with the frayed ends. “What is with this weather we’ve been having? It’s absolutely crazy.”
    I brushed the small traces of water from across my lips. “Thank you . . . Nancy?” I asked pointing to her necklace.
    “Oh, yes.” She giggled and placed her hand over it. “I always forget about this. You know, you don’t look so well. Why don’t you sit down over there and have a rest?” She pointed toward the large white sofa that sat next to a display of porcelain teapots. “Or we could call someone to come and get you?”
    I knew the man’s heated gaze watched my every move from his spot in the corner. For some reason, I found it impossible to meet his eyes. “Thank you for all your help, but I really need to get back to work.”
    “Oh, don’t thank me, honey! It was all this man here.” She pointed to Mr. Blue Eyes as she nodded her head “If it weren’t for him, I’m afraid you’d have been hurt much worse. You smacked right into him and hit your head on the edge of a table, but he caught you before you hit the ground.”
    Internally I grimaced. I had hoped to avoid him before I left, but her words gave me no choice. Now I had to acknowledge him. Reluctantly, I turned in his direction. “Thank you so much for your help, Mr. . . .?”
    “Cross. Dorian Cross.” He took my palm in his and butterflies filled my stomach. “And you are?
    “Abby.”
    He waited for my last name, but when I didn’t offer it, he dipped his head toward me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Abby.”
    My heart pounded at his touch, and I wasn’t certain if it was nervous excitement or apprehension. The only other noise was the soft sound of rain falling steadily against the sidewalk. He kept his eyes on mine. When he didn’t release my hand, I slowly eased it from within his grip.
    “Well, like I said, I need to be going.”
    Nancy took a step toward me. “You shouldn’t be driving yet.”
    I reached down and gathered my bags. “Oh, I’m not. I work just a few blocks down at the café. It’s less than a ten-minute walk.”
    “Walk?” She sounded appalled by the idea. “Darling, have you looked outside?”
    I looked out the window and noticed the heavy, windblown rain. In all the chaos, I’d forgotten about the freak storm. The front door remained closed but shook a few times from the force. I couldn’t stay here and risk another sighting . My only option was to brave the storm and hurry back to the café, hoping that nothing followed me.
    “Let me help you with those,” Dorian said, as he reached down and grabbed the two bags I hadn’t picked up yet.
    “No really, I’m fine.” I tugged at the ones in his hand.
    As much as I appreciated the offer, he was a stranger. And with everything that had transpired in the last hour, my common sense argued against the idea.
    He tugged the bags gently away from me. “I understand your apprehension, but a gentleman never leaves a lady in distress unattended.”
    “A lady in distress? You do know what century we’re in, right?”
    “Of course. But a gentleman is a gentleman, no matter the time or place.”
    I tugged them back toward me again, hoping he’d get the hint and let go. “I don’t want to be a bother. A little rain never hurt anybody.”
    “It’s no bother at all,” he said as he swooped the bags out of my hands with ease.” He headed for the door. “Plus, I have this.” He wiggled a large black umbrella over his shoulder. He stopped at the threshold and held the door open as he waited for me.
    As we exited the boutique, I scoured the street, fearful that the figure would still be out there, hiding. I noticed that he had followed my