Read Online Dance in the Dark by Megan Derr - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Megan Derr
Tags: General Fiction
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was filled with trying not to think about Elam?
Balling his hands into fists, he slowly righted his disheveled clothes and trudged into the bedroom, body still tight and hard with thwarted passion, mind in shambles, and feeling more alone and rejected than ever.
Case 003: The Bremen
Johnnie took a sip of tea as he perused his newest book. It was not answering the question preying most upon his mind, but it was teaching him other things, so it was not a complete loss. He took another sip of tea, enjoying the book, the morning sunlight spilling through the bank of windows on the eastern wall, the warm calm—the peace.
He might be getting less and less sleep, and he might be going mad between watching Elam and his fiancée and thoughts of that second encounter with his strange Eros, but mornings like this it was easy to pretend everything was fine and simply enjoy the moment.
Who was Eros, damn it? More importantly, what was he? Johnnie did not know anyone or anything that could bypass wards, and come and go so easily. It was maddening that he had so little to go on. Beyond the strange magical abilities, he knew his assailant was educated, bold to the point of insanity, magically powerful—and as much as he hated to admit it, the man could kiss.
He could do a great deal more than kiss. Johnny was more disappointed than he liked to admit, given the entire situation, that he had somehow driven the man away before he could enjoy that great deal more.
Closing his book with a snap, he dropped it on the table and finished his tea, shifting to stare out the bank of windows to the flower garden beyond. He needed to stop obsessing. He needed to stop wishing it was Elam, because it definitely was not. He needed to stop feeling as though he were betraying Elam, and his feelings for Elam, because the truth was that Elam could not care less about him.
Stifling a sigh, he poured more tea and picked his book back up. It was infuriating that he could not find an abnormal that fit the description. Sipping his tea, he resumed reading. He paused several minutes later when the sound of the door opening drew his attention. He stared in surprise. "Good morning, Father."
"John," Ontoniel greeted, and took a seat catty-corner to Johnnie. "You have been more reserved than usual lately; not to mention we scarcely see you anymore."
Closing his book again, Johnnie set it aside and took a sip of tea. "My apologies? I am attempting to stay out of the way while Ellie courts his fiancée and the wedding plans are begun. My presence is only superfluous. That aside, I have been consumed by a particularly tricky puzzle of late. Did you require something?"
"No," Ontoniel said, regarding him pensively. "I wanted only to see how you faired. You are family; you should be part of everything."
"I am certain I shall come in handy should someone misplace a ring or a glove," Johnnie replied. "Until then, I doubt I am missed overmuch."
Ontoniel frowned. "I am not convinced you are at ease. You seem troubled of late."
"Only my puzzle causes me trouble, father," Johnnie assured him, more than a little discomfited by the show of concern. It was not typical for Ontoniel to show him any such concern; he must want very badly indeed for the wedding to go well.
"What is this mystery?" Ontoniel asked.
Johnnie hesitated, but whatever his motives, his father had asked after him. It would not kill him to discuss the matter with someone else, even if he preferred not to consult others unless strictly necessary. "I am trying to determine what manner of abnormal can come and go with a thought. I mean quite literally appear and disappear in the span of a heartbeat. He can also bypass wards without effort, no matter how thorough and strong they are, and can see in the dark with daylight clarity."
Ontoniel was silent, obviously lost in thought. Finally he asked, "Have you met this abnormal, or is this one you have only heard about?"
"I have met him twice," Johnnie said.
Balling his hands into fists, he slowly righted his disheveled clothes and trudged into the bedroom, body still tight and hard with thwarted passion, mind in shambles, and feeling more alone and rejected than ever.
Case 003: The Bremen
Johnnie took a sip of tea as he perused his newest book. It was not answering the question preying most upon his mind, but it was teaching him other things, so it was not a complete loss. He took another sip of tea, enjoying the book, the morning sunlight spilling through the bank of windows on the eastern wall, the warm calm—the peace.
He might be getting less and less sleep, and he might be going mad between watching Elam and his fiancée and thoughts of that second encounter with his strange Eros, but mornings like this it was easy to pretend everything was fine and simply enjoy the moment.
Who was Eros, damn it? More importantly, what was he? Johnnie did not know anyone or anything that could bypass wards, and come and go so easily. It was maddening that he had so little to go on. Beyond the strange magical abilities, he knew his assailant was educated, bold to the point of insanity, magically powerful—and as much as he hated to admit it, the man could kiss.
He could do a great deal more than kiss. Johnny was more disappointed than he liked to admit, given the entire situation, that he had somehow driven the man away before he could enjoy that great deal more.
Closing his book with a snap, he dropped it on the table and finished his tea, shifting to stare out the bank of windows to the flower garden beyond. He needed to stop obsessing. He needed to stop wishing it was Elam, because it definitely was not. He needed to stop feeling as though he were betraying Elam, and his feelings for Elam, because the truth was that Elam could not care less about him.
Stifling a sigh, he poured more tea and picked his book back up. It was infuriating that he could not find an abnormal that fit the description. Sipping his tea, he resumed reading. He paused several minutes later when the sound of the door opening drew his attention. He stared in surprise. "Good morning, Father."
"John," Ontoniel greeted, and took a seat catty-corner to Johnnie. "You have been more reserved than usual lately; not to mention we scarcely see you anymore."
Closing his book again, Johnnie set it aside and took a sip of tea. "My apologies? I am attempting to stay out of the way while Ellie courts his fiancée and the wedding plans are begun. My presence is only superfluous. That aside, I have been consumed by a particularly tricky puzzle of late. Did you require something?"
"No," Ontoniel said, regarding him pensively. "I wanted only to see how you faired. You are family; you should be part of everything."
"I am certain I shall come in handy should someone misplace a ring or a glove," Johnnie replied. "Until then, I doubt I am missed overmuch."
Ontoniel frowned. "I am not convinced you are at ease. You seem troubled of late."
"Only my puzzle causes me trouble, father," Johnnie assured him, more than a little discomfited by the show of concern. It was not typical for Ontoniel to show him any such concern; he must want very badly indeed for the wedding to go well.
"What is this mystery?" Ontoniel asked.
Johnnie hesitated, but whatever his motives, his father had asked after him. It would not kill him to discuss the matter with someone else, even if he preferred not to consult others unless strictly necessary. "I am trying to determine what manner of abnormal can come and go with a thought. I mean quite literally appear and disappear in the span of a heartbeat. He can also bypass wards without effort, no matter how thorough and strong they are, and can see in the dark with daylight clarity."
Ontoniel was silent, obviously lost in thought. Finally he asked, "Have you met this abnormal, or is this one you have only heard about?"
"I have met him twice," Johnnie said.
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