Read Dianthe Rising for Free Online Page A

seat and I’ll get you a cup of tea. Do you want to call the police? Is there anyone that you want me to contact for you?”
    I cringed when I looked at her, “Yeah, the police, I am going to call them, kind of. Can I borrow your phone for a few minutes?”
    “Oh,” she looked flustered. “Of course you can. It’s on the desk by the computer. I will go get you a cup while you make your call. I warn you it takes forever to get a bobby out here this time of night if it's not an emergency, so you may be in for a wait.”
    If only , I thought.
    With a sigh, I picked up the phone. Full of trepidation, I dialed the mobile number that was compulsory to memorize before daddy and Sean allowed me to move to the city last week.
    A glance at the clock on the computer told me it was 1:43 a.m. Sean was going to kill me. On the second ring, the call went through.
    “Mclearey,” a sleep-roughened voice rumbled as I took a deep breath to answer.
    “Hi, Sean, it’s—” that was all I got out before Sean cut in.
    “Dia, what the fuck, are you okay, baby? Where are you? Whose number is this? It’s nearly two o’clock in the fucking morning, Dia. Why are you not home in your bed?”
    “Sean!” I had to shout over his rant. “I’m okay, I’m all right. Remember how I went out with Annie for my birthday? We got separated, and I had a bit of an accident and I lost my bag.”
    He growled. “What kind of accident?”
    I could almost see his eyebrows lowering as the cop instinct came to life in my brother’s voice. “Don’t worry, Sean, I’m okay. I was mugged a little. My bag is gone and I don’t have my keys or anything. I was hoping you could come get me, and give me a lift home. You have my other set.”
    The voice on the other end of the phone went deathly quiet. He began to speak very slowly and calmly. Crap, I am in for it . In my family, you were fine as long as it was shouting. It was when the quiet controlled voice came out, that the scary shit was about to happen.
    “You were mugged—a little?” he questioned. “Exactly, how were you mugged—a little?”
    “Ummm,” before I could answer, the barmaid came back in with a cup of tea for me.
    “Here you are, love. This will help calm your nerves. Ohh, I see you are still on the phone. Did you get in touch with the police? They will want to take your statement for assault and perhaps a few photos.”
    “What?!” Sean’s voice was menacing as he listened to the woman’s voice. “Dia, tell me where you are, I’m on my way.”
    Wearily, I put the phone in the crook of my shoulder and told him that I was at a pub down near Tower Bridge. As an afterthought, I gave him the name of it.
    “I’ll be there in ten minutes. Do not move. Do you understand?”
    “Yeah, Sean, I know. Stay where I am and you will be here soon. Love you, big brother.”
    I hung up the phone and took a sip of the sugar-laced tea. It was hot and sweet and exactly what I needed. I could feel myself began to tremble. It wouldn't be the best idea to be in shock when Sean got to me.
    With a look back up at my barmaid with the shining name badge, it dawned on me I hadn’t asked her name.
    “Hi, I’m Dia, and thank you so much for helping me.”
    She smiled softly and she shook my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Dia dear. I’m Rosie and the manager at the White Hart. We girls have to stick together in this crazy city. Was that the police you were on the phone to?”
    “Yeah, and he’s my big brother. He’s in the CID and knows all the good ways to kill me once he gets here.”
    “Oh, dear, this might be interesting to watch,” Rosie chuckled. “I thought it was going to be a quiet night. I am guessing if he comes in lights flashing you only have a few more minutes before he gets here. Do you want to go to the staff toilets and freshen up a bit? Normally, I wouldn’t suggest it, as they need to see you at your worst for the charges. But as it’s your brother coming, perhaps a less