Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne (old books to read .TXT) 📗

gave Devon unfettered access into the lives of the students, their connections and friends. Having eyes and ears around the campus was a way to learn about people. Someone was always talking about that prude at work, the person who enjoyed to party, or the person no one would miss. Students gossiped, and he and his group listened, marking targets from idle gossip to become their next Tabu. That was where the real money was made. The Black Card Menu was mostly Tabus, which was the name given to people dragged from their pitiful life only to be infused with whatever poison their selective members sought. Those who showed high tolerance and the possibility of extended production were later sold off in silent auction. With stock usually rotating every month or so, everyone was happy. Especially Devon. His reputation had blossomed in his clan, many thinking of him as a favourite amongst their leader.

“No, it wouldn’t do to have him vanish. He’s too high profile at the moment. Besides, what would it look like if someone who had just paid off our protection were to vanish? No, Liam7 is fine just the way he is.”

Leaning his chair back against the wall, he surveyed the room, keeping his attention divided between the idle gossip of those near and his device. They were in need of some more Tabus. After the latest disaster they were down to just fifteen, of which six would soon be auctioned to a new home, usually for use in whatever prestigious event they needed catering.

He had left William’s information open. The corner of his mouth twitched smugly as he opened the location data. He had hoped William would have been willing to give up the source of his boost, but when he spun his first lie he knew there was no point pushing him too hard, not when he could obtain the information easily himself. Studying the device, he saw there was only one place he had frequented recently that didn’t tally with his previous activity.

Whispering into his second’s ear, he excused himself, his anticipation rising. He had some duties to attend to, but first, a little daytime reconnaissance was needed. If William could produce such pure quality product by taking a boost from whoever lived at that address, taking it from the source directly was bound to hold no comparison.

Today had been the first day Ashley had been cleared for work and, with a shift request pending, she intended to take advantage of it. Her work had always been more than a job to her. She loved spending time with the elderly residents, listening to their stories, helping with their needs. She always thought of them as extended family and found she missed their company. Besides, the awkwardness about what happened—or rather didn’t happen—with Conrad yesterday refused to give her peace. Her mind ran in circles, questioning if she had misread the signs, misinterpreted the gestures.

She had been waiting, ready to transition their friendship into something they both seemed to want. Even now, as she replayed her moment of humiliation, she swore there was no mistake. She saw the same desire burning in his eyes as she felt rise within herself, his gaze often so intense it caused her breath to hitch. After everything that had happened, she decided she was done waiting and that she would make the first move.

Somehow, she had been mistaken, clearly overlooking something people who dated knew to look for. The moment she had discovered her gift all courting had stopped and when her parents died, boys were the furthest thing from her mind. Until Conrad, she had simply possessed no interest in a relationship beyond friendship, even though she had noticed the way Will sometimes looked at her. Although maybe that was something she misinterpreted, too.

Last night, they had fallen asleep on the sofa watching a string of terrible movies, laughing at the poor acting or the terrible special effects while sharing ice-cream and popcorn. His arms around her shoulder had brought her more warmth than any blanket. She had fought to stay awake, fought to savour every second until she drifted asleep in his arms. When she had woken with her head on his chest, listening to the soothing sound of his heart, she hadn’t wanted to move. She had wanted to stay there in his embrace forever, or at least for just a moment longer. There had been nothing but the two of them and she dared to dream that one day, she could raise her chin and wake him with kisses… kisses he would return.

She would have stayed like that until he stirred, just relishing their closeness, but her morning needs saw her slipping from his grasp and when she returned he was making breakfast. Part of her wondered if he had been awake, savouring the moment as she had. Then she recalled his rejection and everything became awkward, a strained silence neither seemed to be able to fill.

She had agreed to skip lectures in order to inform his mother of what had been happening. She had just finished taking a new round of blood to see if the virus had been completely destroyed when the notification had come through from work, asking if she was available to come in early now her temperature had abated. It had been the perfect excuse to leave.

Conrad had taken her home on his bike so she could change. After last night, the thought of being so close to him unsettled her, and while he had offered to take her to work and pick her up, she had insisted on taking her own bike. Of course, that hadn’t stopped him riding with her, even though it meant slowing his motorbike to a crawl to keep pace as she pedalled.

As she dismounted, a notification had come through from Liam telling her he would be visiting this evening. Conrad had taken her hand in his, promising she wouldn’t be alone and