In Darkness We Must Abide: The Complete Second Season: Episodes 6-10 Read Online Free Page B
Author: Rhiannon Frater
presence while visiting. I need to stay here in Austin and do what my mom wants me to do.”
“ Which is?”
“ Keep living,” Vanora answered.
After a few more cookies and another glass of tea, Vanora finally retired to the bedroom that had once been the guest room. It still didn't feel like it was hers, and most likely wouldn't since she was moving in with Rhonda soon. Yet, it was a safe haven.
After a hot shower, she changed into her pajama shorts and tank top. She ran a brush through her long hair while turning down the bed covers and setting her alarm. Vanora was about to crawl into bed when she felt a fluttery sensation in her stomach. Gripping the cross around her neck, she cautiously drew close to the nearest window and peered out.
Armando stood on the lawn, his golden eyes reflecting the outdoor lights. Hands tucked into his leather jacket, curls falling rakishly over his brow, and his lean form clad all in black, he looked every inch the vampire. To her surprise, he was not peering up at her room, but scrutinizing his surroundings. Hiding behind the curtains, Vanora watched him prowling about. Finally, Armando lifted the lid to the garbage bin and she saw a flash of a triumphant smile. The vampire jerked the black box out of the trash, studied its contents, then shredded the rose before ripping the box to tiny bits. Appearing satisfied, Armando strolled into the darkness, vanishing from sight.
Heart thudding hard within her chest, Vanora retreated from the window. What did it mean? Why had Armando destroyed the rose? He was a keeper of so many secrets and she was sick of it. The urge to run outside and confront him flared within her, but she resisted. The night she had runaway he could have told her the truth, but hadn't. It always haunted her how he had so desperately wanted her to abandon her life and leave with him. It was as if he was running from something, too. Then later, he had been insistent on her escaping Houston.
What did he know? What was he keeping from her?
Crawling into bed, Vanora curled into a tight ball, her hands clutching her mother's cross.
June 2008
The apartment was still full of boxes, but all the furniture was in place. Moving from Houston to live with Vanora was a dream come true for Rhonda. It was a relief to be out from under the paranoid and watchful eye of her mother. Her ears ringing with maternal admonishments, Rhonda had escaped the day before in a U-Haul packed with her bedroom furniture and personal possessions. The rest of the furniture in the apartment was brand new from Ikea. Even Vanora's bedroom suite was recently purchased. Vanora had deflected Rhonda’s inquires about why she didn’t just have her sister send her old bedroom furniture.
Busy slicing up a banana for fruit salad, she wondered if she’d ever be able to pry the true story about what exactly happened in October to make Vanora flee her home. She suspected it had to do with the delicious Armando. Maybe Vanora had ended up getting pregnant and had an abortion, but she very much doubted Vanora had even had sex with the dashing Spaniard.
Vanora Socoli stumbled in to the kitchen. Eyes red from exhaustion, her white-blond hair pulled into a messy ponytail, and wearing sweats and a tank top, she looked a bit scruffy. “Okay, why didn't anyone tell me how long it takes to assemble Ikea furniture?”
Rhonda hated that Vanora didn’t sound like her old self anymore. There was a slight edge to her voice and her eyes were haunted. Vanora had always kept some dark secret from her, but Rhonda had always hoped that her friend would someday confide in her. “It went badly, huh? I told you to hire someone to do it.”
Shrugging, the other woman slumped against the kitchen counter. “You were right. I was wrong.”
“ I should get that in writing,” Rhonda said, winking.
“ Ha. Ha.” Vanora snatched a few pieces of banana. “I'm so hungry.”
“ I got stuff for sandwiches and fruit
“ Which is?”
“ Keep living,” Vanora answered.
After a few more cookies and another glass of tea, Vanora finally retired to the bedroom that had once been the guest room. It still didn't feel like it was hers, and most likely wouldn't since she was moving in with Rhonda soon. Yet, it was a safe haven.
After a hot shower, she changed into her pajama shorts and tank top. She ran a brush through her long hair while turning down the bed covers and setting her alarm. Vanora was about to crawl into bed when she felt a fluttery sensation in her stomach. Gripping the cross around her neck, she cautiously drew close to the nearest window and peered out.
Armando stood on the lawn, his golden eyes reflecting the outdoor lights. Hands tucked into his leather jacket, curls falling rakishly over his brow, and his lean form clad all in black, he looked every inch the vampire. To her surprise, he was not peering up at her room, but scrutinizing his surroundings. Hiding behind the curtains, Vanora watched him prowling about. Finally, Armando lifted the lid to the garbage bin and she saw a flash of a triumphant smile. The vampire jerked the black box out of the trash, studied its contents, then shredded the rose before ripping the box to tiny bits. Appearing satisfied, Armando strolled into the darkness, vanishing from sight.
Heart thudding hard within her chest, Vanora retreated from the window. What did it mean? Why had Armando destroyed the rose? He was a keeper of so many secrets and she was sick of it. The urge to run outside and confront him flared within her, but she resisted. The night she had runaway he could have told her the truth, but hadn't. It always haunted her how he had so desperately wanted her to abandon her life and leave with him. It was as if he was running from something, too. Then later, he had been insistent on her escaping Houston.
What did he know? What was he keeping from her?
Crawling into bed, Vanora curled into a tight ball, her hands clutching her mother's cross.
June 2008
The apartment was still full of boxes, but all the furniture was in place. Moving from Houston to live with Vanora was a dream come true for Rhonda. It was a relief to be out from under the paranoid and watchful eye of her mother. Her ears ringing with maternal admonishments, Rhonda had escaped the day before in a U-Haul packed with her bedroom furniture and personal possessions. The rest of the furniture in the apartment was brand new from Ikea. Even Vanora's bedroom suite was recently purchased. Vanora had deflected Rhonda’s inquires about why she didn’t just have her sister send her old bedroom furniture.
Busy slicing up a banana for fruit salad, she wondered if she’d ever be able to pry the true story about what exactly happened in October to make Vanora flee her home. She suspected it had to do with the delicious Armando. Maybe Vanora had ended up getting pregnant and had an abortion, but she very much doubted Vanora had even had sex with the dashing Spaniard.
Vanora Socoli stumbled in to the kitchen. Eyes red from exhaustion, her white-blond hair pulled into a messy ponytail, and wearing sweats and a tank top, she looked a bit scruffy. “Okay, why didn't anyone tell me how long it takes to assemble Ikea furniture?”
Rhonda hated that Vanora didn’t sound like her old self anymore. There was a slight edge to her voice and her eyes were haunted. Vanora had always kept some dark secret from her, but Rhonda had always hoped that her friend would someday confide in her. “It went badly, huh? I told you to hire someone to do it.”
Shrugging, the other woman slumped against the kitchen counter. “You were right. I was wrong.”
“ I should get that in writing,” Rhonda said, winking.
“ Ha. Ha.” Vanora snatched a few pieces of banana. “I'm so hungry.”
“ I got stuff for sandwiches and fruit
Readers choose
Kate Richards
Kent Harrington
Various
Candia McWilliam
Mercedes Lackey
Madeleine Reiss
Emily Jane Trent
Miranda Beverly-Whittemore
Dee Tenorio
Dawn Montgomery