Shift of Time (A Rue Darrow Novel Book 1) Read Free Page A

froze, my hand on the railing, and then turned in degrees. Even with deep shadows in the dark street, I saw him without a problem. Perhaps it was my imagination but for an instant his eyes seemed to glow. No, they were their usual black orbs, narrowed and angry. Almonester appeared like any human of indeterminate age, but he smelled of dank earth. Not appealing in the least, and very unlike the scent of humans.
    “What did you say?” I asked, although I was certain I had heard him.
    “I’m leaving now. You can follow and work until closing.”
    “You’re saying work for you ?” Yeah, I know. Pretty thick.
    Almonester growled and balled a meaty fist at his side. “What have I just said? You lost your job, didn’t you?”
    I put my hand on my hip. “Just how do you know that?”
    “Never mind. Do you or don’t you want the job?”
    He owned a bar, but I had never mixed drinks while I lived or after I died. In fact, I had seldom drunk even before I was turned, and I told him so. Then there was the fact that Ian warned me not to stay in Almonester’s presence for long. This part I didn’t share, and maybe the conversation he held now was longer than the occasional grunt he exchanged when either of us came or went each night.
    “You can serve beer until you learn. Not too daft to use the pump, are you?”
    I flared my nostrils. “Why should you help me, Almonester? You don’t like vampires. You did Ian a favor by letting me stay.”
    Never had I felt such ill will from a person as I felt at that moment. The sense was so strong, I zipped backward a few feet, tense and waiting for an attack. He remained where I left him, still as a statue but radiating anger. Yet, he thought I should happily accept his offer?
    “I did not do anyone a favor,” he groused in an ugly tone. Then as quickly as the anger rose, it died away to its normal level, which was still pretty high. “Work at the bar. This is your final offer.”
    I hesitated. “How much can I make?”
    His black gaze scraped over me in the darkness. I bristled, but Almonester sneered as if to say skinny pale redheads didn’t appeal to him. The idea! “If you dress better than that, then maybe…” He named a figure.
    “That much weekly?”
    “Nightly.”
    I gaped. My resolve to obey Ian wavered. Each month, I sent Mason child support for Jake, and I saved as much as I could to add to his college fund. Mason could likely afford to send our son to college if my brilliant darling didn’t manage to get a scholarship, but I was determined to give him a helping hand. If I couldn’t be there, I could at least help support him financially. Working at the bar would make that dream a reality.
    Besides, as my sire, Ian hadn’t commanded me not to remain long in Almonester’s presence. Plus it wouldn’t be as if we were alone. The landlord’s bar must be full of patrons all the time as well as other bartenders. Besides, I had incredible strength if not fighting skill. I would be fine.
    “Okay, I’ll do it,” I said. “Just give me a moment to change. Is there a dress code or uniform?”
    He looked at me as if I had taken leave of my senses. “Sexy.”
    I pursed my lips. “I’ll wear a denim skirt and a softer blouse.” With that, I whisked up the stairs and into my apartment. Within moments, I was ready and joined Almonester on the street. His expression said he still didn’t approve of my choice of clothing, but he didn’t protest.
    “The bar is the Rusty Ankle on Oak Street. Go ahead of me. I don’t want to walk with you.”
    “You mean we’re not going to be the best of friends from now on, Almonester?”
    He scowled, and I caught the wind and left him behind. This was something else I filed away. Almonester didn’t have my speed, so if I ever needed to, I could get away from him.
    The Rusty Ankle, when I got there, was already teeming with customers from wall to wall. My landlord’s establishment wasn’t the type to cater to dancers as there