Sacrifice (Absent Shadows Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free

of a job, but it was close to home, and it gave me the chance to save a bit more money.
    Perhaps going back there was a mistake, or at least it seemed that way when at the start of my second shift I walked up to a small table where a blond man sat with his back to me only to find myself face to face with David.
    ‘What are you doing here?’ I asked, in a less than welcoming voice.
    ‘Well, that’s no way to say hello to an old friend. It goes more like this: “Hello, how are you?’’ and then you smile like you mean it, and fill my coffee cup,’ he said, smirking as he pointed to his upturned coffee cup.
    I could feel nervous energy bubbling up inside me, but I forced my voice to remain calm. ‘Right, well I’m busy. So unless you’re going to order breakfast, I suggest you leave.’
    He flashed a smile, and picked up the menu. ‘I’m having breakfast—the special will do me just fine. And then I’ll have refills on my coffee until you finish work. I want to talk to you.’
    I tried hard to control my voice, replying as calmly as I could. ‘Fine, I’ll get you breakfast. But there isn’t anything for us to talk about. I don’t see the point.’
    ‘I’ll wait anyway,’ he said as he closed the menu and handed it to me. When I took it, his hand brushed mine.
    I pulled away quickly, and glared at him for a moment. ‘I’ll put your order in,’ I said, still trying to keep my tone even. Then I turned and went over to place his order with the kitchen. I hated the thought of having to go back to his table, but I didn’t want him creating a scene either, so when his order came up I just placed it on his table and walked away.
    True to his word, he didn’t leave. He paid for his breakfast, but then just sat there reading a newspaper, calling me over to fill his coffee cup from time to time until the morning rush finished.
    When my shift was over I stood near the register for a minute, watching him from behind. As I did, I started feeling glad that he’d come. I mean, wouldn’t it be just so easy to simply fall back into our old life? He had wanted me to marry him, and possibly still did. And I suppose, in some ways, he was a good catch. After all, he had a decent job; and he was good looking—even though his fair hair and pale blue eyes were like washed out versions of Sam. But at least he was here, not half way around the world. And most importantly, he wasn’t a vampire.
    Yes, to answer my own question, it would be easy. But that wasn’t the reason I was glad. I was glad because seeing him made it absolutely clear why it would never happen, even if for some reason I didn’t go back to Australia. I knew, without even the slightest bit of doubt, that David wasn’t the one for me and never would be. I mean, when I looked at him, I felt nothing. Looking at him was like looking at a character from a television show—the character is familiar, but you don’t actually know the actor. That’s what it was like. There was no love; no hatred; no remorse; no feeling whatsoever. It really was like I simply didn’t know him.
    I walked over to his table, and looked him directly in the eyes. ‘Okay, you win. We’ll talk, but let’s go outside.’
    He stood, and followed me out to the parking lot. I could see his car in the corner of the lot so I walked over toward the main road instead.
    ‘You wanted to talk—so talk.’ I was pleased at how my voice sounded; flat, without any emotion.
    ‘Lili, come on, lighten up. You know we’re good together. We can pick up where we left off. I don’t blame you for being mad at me and I don’t blame you for running off to Australia either.’
    ‘Running off to Australia? I didn’t run off, I went to visit my Aunt and Uncle.’
    ‘Yeah, okay, whatever you say.’ He stepped forward and tried to take my hand, but I stepped back away from him. He shook his head, and moved toward me again, but I took another step back. I held my head high and looked into his eyes when