Dealers of Light Read Online Free Page A

his treasured onyx cat statue of Best.
    No sig n of Sakhet. He let out a deep breath and lay back on the bed. A dream, damn it. Nothing but a dream . Disappointment rose like bile in his chest. She had never come to him like this before, so real he still felt the warmth and smoothness of her skin. Not in all these thousands of years. And then, to do it only to bring a message of hope in his never-ending task of fighting the Takers? Impossible. Yet the faint hint of her jasmine scent hung in the air.
    He sucked in a deep breath to dispel his regret. Grabbing a pillow, he stuffed it under his head and rolled over to his side. On the white comforter beside him, Sakhet’s gold and ruby necklace glittered in the dim light.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
    Cara pushed open the door of her cottage with one hand, grappling a bag of groceries and her purse in the other. Dusty poked out his head, panting, his tongue lolling from the side of his mouth. He barked and lunged at the opening. She pressed her thigh into the crack to keep him from running out.
    “Okay, okay. Just a minute, let me get your leash.” She juggled purse, keys, and groceries successfully through the small living room to the kitchen, dodging Dusty’s dancing form, his toenails clicking when he bounced from carpet to linoleum. After dropping the bags on a counter, she turned down the hall to her bedroom and stripped out of her slacks and blouse to don sweat pants, T-shirt and running shoes.
    “Here we go , Duster-Man.” She attached a retractable leash to his collar and ruffled his mutt mix of wiry and soft hair. He tugged on the leash, dragging her along the hall, through the living room to the front door.
    “Hold on a minute, you monster.” She used her body to block until she could open the door and they both tumbled on to the lawn.  
    Dusty jumped and barked, tugging at the restraint, sniffing the grass and bushes. They trotted down the street and through the protective dunes to the beach. A nip in the air heralded the approach of fall and brought goose bumps to her arms. Only a few people straggled along this northern section of Virginia Beach with pant legs rolled above their ankles, making quick dashes into the cool surf and back.
    She breathed in fresh salty air and let it out with a heavy sigh. The afternoon sun brought tears to her sensitive, puffy eyes and she brushed them away with the back of her hand.
    Dusty pulled to the right and she followed, increasing her pace to a slow jog.
    Emmie’s face intruded into her thoughts along with questions about her cryptic message. Emmie’s memory ignited Cara’s need to run faster. She focused on the running and her breathing, letting the peace of solitude wash over her. Dusty cantered along at her side, matching her pace.
    T he episode with Nicki rose in her mind to replace Emmie. The girl must have witnessed something horrible to scare her so badly. Nicki wasn’t frightened easily. Cara u-turned, ready to go home. She’d call Nicki and hopefully the girl would confide in her.
    They jogged to her home where a familiar car parked. Tom . A thrill of anticipation swept through Cara. She smiled, pushed the damp strands of hair away from her face, and hurried forward. He’d been traveling for two days. Otherwise, she’d be getting worried. He leaned against the hood, waiting, his lanky frame achingly familiar. He didn’t return her smile. Her heart sank.
    “Hey, Cara.” He bent to ruffle Dusty’s fur. The dog wagged his tail and barked, jerking on the leash to jump on Tom. He was great at throwing tennis balls on the beach.
    “Hey . Come on in, I brought home a nice bottle of Merlot.” She headed for the door but stopped when he didn’t follow.
    “I can’t stay .” His eyes slid away from hers, and her heart twisted into a painful knot.
    “What ’s wrong?” She wanted to rush forward and hug him, but his hooded eyes held her at bay.
    “We need to talk.”
    “Okay, come inside and we’ll talk.