Devil Ash Disarray (Devil Ash Saga Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

enthusiastically at the woman. Before he could get anywhere near her though, a fast-moving bodyguard swooped in out of nowhere and blocked his route. The guard, a steely looking woman with teal hair, wore an ornate blue uniform that concealed her slender body. She was the only person in the room to carry a weapon, a sword slung in its sheath hung at her side.
    “ Lorin ,” the boy said through gritted teeth.
    “Marni’s busy right now.” Lorin flashed her teeth, her hand hanging at her waist by the hilt of her sword. “ We could play catch up though, if you want.”
    Aura stopped dead in his tracks. Ash couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Aura was actually cowering to this woman. Clearly there was some hidden history here that Ash hadn’t yet caught on to, but he could guess that since it involved a couple of pretty ladies, there was probably going to be some element of heartbreak to his companion’s tale.
    “I don’t have anything to say to you.” Aura closed himself off to the woman, stepping closer to the safety of Ash’s side. “We’re just trying to get into the competitor’s area. I was going to say hi to Marni, that’s all.”
    “ Ohh Aura ,” Lorin said with a conceited grin. “Are you still holding out hope that she’ll choose you after all these years?”
    Her words cut Aura deep. Ash felt it too, and saw it on his friend’s face.
    The death toucher shrugged it off though. “See these stickers?” Aura asked, pointing to the entry number stuck to his coat. “We’re competing in the tournament. We don’t have time to waste here on you. If you won’t let us say hi to Marni, then at least get out of our way.”
    Aura pressed forward. Lorin backed up, still standing between them and Marni.
    “Lorin, why didn’t you tell me that Aura was here?” Marni abandoned her post by the door and appeared behind her number one guard. She was even prettier up close. “I’d never pass up the chance to talk to an old friend.”
    “But sir,” Lorin said, grinding her teeth. “He shouldn’t even be allowed in here. Not with his debt!”
    “The only way we’ll ever see that debt paid is by letting him in here,” Marni said with a confident toss of her long hair. She smelt like sweet flowers, an intoxicating scent to the boys. “Besides, it’s nice to see you again Aura.”
    Marni smiled sweetly and Aura choked up. She trained her eyes on Ash next. “You must be Ash. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
    The boy almost blushed as he introduced himself, trying to make a good first impression on the buxom beauty. “So, you’re an old friend of Aura’s? Tell me, was he always such a vulgar numb-skull?”
    Aura made a sound like he objected the question. Marni laughed softly, her smile practically lit up the room. “Believe it or not, he was much worse in the days of our youth, back when he was my bodyguard.”
    Lorin stepped in to interrupt. “Excuse me Marni,” she said, gesturing across the room. “We’ve got more important company.”
    Ash followed her gaze back to where they came from, by the registration table. There an unfamiliar man stood staring in their direction.
    “Ah, it’s Vashi,” Marni said to herself and waved the man over. “Lord Vashi! Lord Vashi!” At her gesture, the man known as Vashi started wandering toward them.
    “Who’s this guy?” Aura asked.
    “Vashi Tansa, an up-and-coming Noble merchant,” Marni informed them. “He’s made a lot of charitable donations to me. He’s a most valuable client, and happens to be quite the fan of Devil’s Duel.”
    Aura shrugged. “Looks like a tool to me.”
    Lorin shot him a dirty glare. “ Hold your tongue or move along .” The guys stood there silently with Lorin and watched Marni step forward to greet her special guest.
    Vashi Tansa was a plump, fluffy looking Noble decked out in white robes of the highest quality. His bright red beard dominated the lower portion of his face, his puffy white hat was adorned with a