Instinct Ascending: Rabids Book 2 Read Online Free Page A

pancake donut frosting-coated things would be amazing!” Pell replied jubilantly, entirely unaware of the awkwardness in the air. “And coffee — decaf. I don’t handle all that caffeine very well,” he confided with a blush. Amiel smiled. She could understand why. She had a feeling that seeing Pell on a full caffeine rush would be slightly frightening. Not looking up from her notepad, Amiel addressed Harley’s brother.
    “Cajun?”
    “Forgiveness.”
    She looked up quickly, surprise causing her to look into his eyes without thinking. Thankfully, his Hybrid had receded and she no longer felt that uncomfortable conflict from earlier.
    “I beg your pardon?” Her tone was quiet, hesitant.
    “Do you have a break coming up? Things are a bit… edgy in here, for conversation.”
    Amiel followed Cajun’s gaze to see Stint glowering at them behind the counter. Turning back to Cajun, she nodded, pretending to write on her note pad.
    “My break is coming up in half an hour.”
    “Would I be asking too much to speak with you then? I promise not to take up too much of your time.”
    Amiel bit her lip in thought. The last time she had spoken with Cajun, the situation had been rife with contention and a whole lot of angst. She wasn’t entirely sure where she stood with him now, and the idea of meeting him alone somewhere was somewhat intimidating. But she was a big girl now, with big-girl panties that currently needed to be hiked up to big-girl status. Sighing, she straightened her spine, fortifying herself. “Where should I meet you?”
    Cajun nodded, pleased with her answer. “Pell will walk with you to where we can meet. It is nearby and very public, don’t worry.” Obviously he’d seen the distrustful look in her eyes. Without saying another word, he stood and strode from the restaurant. Amiel stared at the door as it closed, before turning back to Pell. Pell, for his part, was still grinning broadly. Amiel shook her head and went to deliver his order to Cookie.
    “Who was that?” Stint interrogated, the moment she moved behind the counter.
    “Who?” She feigned disinterest.
    “The Halfer freak,” Stint ground out. Amiel’s temper flared at the derogative term, but she carefully kept her face passive.
    “Halfer? What is that?”
    Stint’s own temper rose with her feigned ignorance. “The one with the tattoo. You know him?”
    “Nope. Just another patron.”
    “Why did he leave so quickly? I saw you talking.”
    “He asked if we had a bathroom. I told him only if he didn’t mind wading through trash to get to it. Apparently he didn’t like that idea. Can’t say I blame him. It is pretty gross in there.”
    Stint’s eyes narrowed. “You’re walking on thin ice, woman.”
    “It is winter.” She kept her face completely blank, though oddly she wanted to grin. There was nothing funny about this situation, or the fact that she was talking back to the man who could end her career. Yet somehow she couldn’t stop herself. She didn’t like his expression, his tone, and she certainly didn’t like the way he spoke about Cajun. Maybe they hadn’t had the most pleasant meetings in the past, but he was still Harley’s brother. And that made him her friend, no matter what their difference of opinion. Especially if he was serious about wanting to put the past behind them, as he had intimated before leaving.
    “Watch your dirty whore mouth,” Stint growled, leaning closer. “And mind you, next time that man comes in here, we don’t serve him. We don’t welcome his kind here, or those who socialize with them. So tell his friend to scram, too.”
    “His kind?” Amiel asked, sarcasm and anger heavily lacing her words. “Exactly what kind is that?”
    “The Halfer freaks. They roam about at night, causing all sorts of trouble, sticking their noses where they don’t belong. Rumor has it that they’re tainted, their disease perpetuating this cursed plague.”
    “That’s ridiculous. I haven’t heard