Read Fallen Angel: Mythic Series, Book 2 for Free Online Page B

minute, took in his torn, stained clothing and unwashed hair as the unpleasant scent of body odor and sweat hit his nose. Swallowing his gag reflex, he said, “I’m looking for Ryssa. Do you know if she’s in?”
    Ratface sucked his teeth and looked David up and down. “Whatchu want with Ryssa?” He lifted his nose and sniffed. “You don’t smell like you’re dying.”
    What an odd thing to say. “I’m not.”
    They stared at each other for several long minutes. When it became clear that the other guy wasn’t going to answer him, David turned back to the door and raised his hand to knock again.
    “Wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Ratface warned.
    “Why not?”
    Ratface chuckled. “Cuz you only got about ten minutes till the sun goes down, and you don’t want to be here when Jax wakes up. He won’t like you sniffing ‘round Ryssa.”
    David never considered that Ryssa might not live alone. Something sharp and uncomfortable squeezed around his chest. Like his instincts, he ignored it.
    “Who is Jax?”
    “Stick around and find out,” Ratface said with an evil grin that showcased sharp, surprisingly white teeth.
    David extracted a business card from his pocket and stuck it in the door. Outwardly, he remained cool, but inside his heart pounded a panicked tattoo against his chest and every instinct he had screamed at him to get the hell out of there. It was very similar to the feeling he’d had when he’d gone into Seven Circles .
    “If you see Ryssa, tell her it’s very important she visit Elizabeth, all right?”
    “Do I look like a fucking messenger boy to you?” Apparently disappointed that David wouldn’t be sticking around to provide a little entertainment, Ratface snarled and retreated back inside, closing the door.
    Despite his increasing discomfort, David contemplated knocking just once more. He’d driven all the way over here, after all, and hated it to be for nothing. He rationalized that it was because Elizabeth had had a bad day, and because she was still pissed at him for the way he’d treated Ryssa. He was only here on his mother’s behalf, and not because he wanted to see Ryssa again or assure himself she was okay.
    His interest in her only extended as far as making his mother happy, and Ryssa hadn’t kept her promise. Last night, when he’d tried to visit the club again, he’d been flatly refused at the door. Ryssa was deliberately avoiding him, and it was pissing him off.
    David reached out and snatched his business card back. She wouldn’t call. He was running out of options, and Elizabeth was running out of time.
    * * *
    R yssa knew she was being followed. Whoever it was, they sucked at it. They didn’t stay far enough behind and made enough noise to wake the dead. In this neighborhood, that was more than a cliché.
    She sped up her pace and altered her course slightly, veering to the back lot of the twenty-four hour convenience store. Sliding around the corner, she slipped into the shadows and waited.
    “Stop,” she commanded when her pursuer barreled around the edge of the building. A familiar scent of fresh male soap and laundered clothing hit her nose. She inhaled deeply, hating the fact she liked it so much.
    She should have known he wouldn’t respond to subtle hints like telling him off and avoiding him. The man was like a bad penny and a broken mirror, turning up everywhere and bringing bad luck with him.
    “Why are you following me, Gilligan?”
    David bristled. “ Corrigan .”
    “Whatever.” Ryssa rolled her eyes, a gesture he missed because she was still encased in shadow. “What do you want?”
    There was a lengthy pause as David peered into the shadows, trying to see her. “You didn’t come.”
    His normally arrogant tone was laced with something else. Desperation? Hurt? Her preternatural senses picked up on the heavy emotional burden he carried, and her ire lessened somewhat. The man was in pain, and some part of her wanted to ease his