In Darkness We Must Abide Read Online Free Page A

cruel. “I painted so many things that never made any sense.”
    “Perhaps because you were never told the secrets of the vampire race and your own heritage.” Dexios took another swallow of water, then started to eat chunks of jerky.
    “Then tell me,” Alisha demanded. “Tell me so I do understand.”
    For several minutes, Dexios was silent as he ate, then finally he finished and tossed the empty water bottle into the bag. Rolling over onto his side, his eyes glinted like a wolf’s. “Once I tell the tale, nothing in your world will ever be the same again.”
    “My world is in ruins,” Alisha said bitterly. “Nothing you say can make it worse.”
    Exhaling, Dexios tilted his face to gaze up at the ceiling. “Long ago, an angel loved a witch…”
     
    Vanora impatiently watched the agonizingly slow process of her purchases being tossed into a blue cloth shopping bag by the distracted female cashier. The clear latex gloves on the woman’s hands were foggy with moisture and for a split second, Vanora saw the other world where the three women poured water on hot coals, filling the air with steam. Closing her eyes, Vanora concentrated on the reality surrounding her physical body, not her spirit.
    When she lifted her eyes, the cashier was still distracted by the ongoing conversation with the overnight manager. It took a few seconds of eavesdropping for Vanora to realize they were discussing the fires raging throughout Houston.
    “Terrorists are doing it,” the manager said with confidence, her dark eyes flashing with indignation. Her salt and pepper hair was scraped back from her face into a tight bun.
    “I heard it was devil worshippers,” the cashier replied. Light brown hair in a short ponytail, pale face free of makeup, wearing rimless glasses, and just enough extra weight to give her a doughy appearance, she had a look that made it difficult to discern her age.
    Lightly tapping her debit card against the edge of the card reader, Vanora waited. Fearing her magic might manifest again, Vanora’s hands were tucked into gloves. It had taken her nearly ten minutes of hard concentration to get them to stop glowing. Anxious to get to Sheila and the others before the sun rose, Vanora fought to contain her temper. Yet, it was difficult because she could feel the pleasure the cashier gained from making Vanora wait.
    …snobby, rich bitch…
    The words hissed through her mind in the cashier’s voice.
    …thinks she’s so much better…
    For a second, Vanora entertained the idea that she was imagining the venomous voice, but then she saw the cashier’s eyes flick toward her and the serpentine smile on her lips.
    …what if the kids are scared…the fires are so close to the house…
    It was the manager she now heard.
    Vanora shivered in her coat as she struggled to maintain her composure. Was this yet another manifestation of her power? Reading minds?
    At last, the cashier totaled Vanora’s purchases and waited for Vanora to finish at the card reader. Tapping in her pin code, Vanora raised her gaze to meet the cashier’s. Catching herself before she could gasp, Vanora saw reptilian eyes staring at her from behind the woman’s glasses. The cashier’s gaze narrowed suspiciously. Vanora finished her end of the transaction and hastily shoved her card in her wallet. The cashier unhurriedly tore the receipt off the printer while scrutinizing Vanora.
    “Odd shopping list,” the cashier said, seeming to finally take note of what Vanora had bought.
    The blue bags were stuffed with energy bars, charcoal, salt, bottled water, a single white sheet, and a cast iron Dutch oven. Vanora heaved them into her cart, ignoring the woman. As she hurried out of the store, she could feel the woman’s gaze following her.
    What the hell was she?
    Vanora was almost to Greg’s car when he jogged up looking rather pleased with himself and a little less ragged around the edges.
    “Already?” Vanora couldn’t hide her disgust.
    “I’m