Read Goddess of Light for Free Online

behind her. Each of them clutched a hardback copy of Pillars of the Sword as they stared rapturously at Eddie.
    â€œIt-it is you, isn’t it?” the tallest of the three stuttered.
    Eddie nodded. “It is I, E. D. Faust.”
    â€œAwesome!”
    â€œI told you it was him.” The tall boy gave his compatriots a victorious look. “We just bought our copies of Pillars . It would be, like, amazing if you would please sign them for us!”
    Pamela couldn’t help smiling at the boys. They were cute in a gawky kind of a way, like young colts. Then she noticed that the pudgy boy standing closest to her was trying to look down her blouse. She frowned at him and rearranged her jacket. Men: whether they were fifteen or fifty, some things stayed the same.
    â€œIt would be my great privilege to affix my signature to these books for you young lads! Come! Tell me your names.” Eddie gestured magnanimously.
    â€œTaylor!” The pudgy kid forgot about her cleavage as he beat past his two buddies who were shouting, “Jamie!” and “Adam!”
    Eddie’s laughter boomed good-naturedly, but as the boys surged forward, Pamela noticed that the author shot his assistant a pointed look.
    â€œMiss Gray,” James’s voice was hurried as he bent and spoke in her ear. “I’m afraid we don’t have much time. Everything you need is in this briefcase,” which he handed to her, “including your room key. I have already checked you in, and Robert had your bags delivered to your room.”
    â€œIt is E. D. Faust.”
    â€œI thought I recognized that guy from somewhere!”
    Pamela looked around in surprise. Several people were pointing at Eddie and shouting.
    â€œIt is Eddie’s wish that you spend this weekend simply soaking up the ambience of The Forum and Caesars Palace. On Monday morning he will send a car for you, and you will be taken to the home itself. All the details of that are in the briefcase. Until then, think of the next couple days as a pleasant sojourn within the magic of Las Vegas.”
    â€œE. D. Faust! Wow!” said a breathless man who rushed up to Eddie, knocked aside the glaring teenagers and pumped his hand vigorously. “I have all your books.”
    â€œI applaud your taste in literature, sir!”
    Eddie’s tone was jovial, but there was no mistaking the pained look he gave James.
    â€œThere are more instructions in the briefcase, as well as contact numbers if you need to reach us before Monday. Now I must tend to him,” James finished quickly.
    Pamela watched as James maneuvered through the growing crowd to Eddie’s side and announced that Mr. Faust must be going, he had an important interview for which he could not be late. Eddie lifted his bulk from the bench, winked at Pamela, and began making his way with well-practiced reluctance to the exit. The crowd followed him, still vying for him to sign a T-shirt or even the back of a hand.
    Left behind, Pamela shook her head slowly in amazement. She looked at the crowd as it moved away down the pretend street after the fantasy author, and she felt a little like Alice after she’d fallen down the hole. And the crowd kept growing, mostly teenage boys and men with combovers who wore white socks pulled up to their knees. They were mobbing him, and Pamela could see James’s tall figure hustling his boss forward while the author’s distinctive laughter drifted back to her. Eddie was like a rock star—a dorky rock star, but a rock star nonetheless. It was amazing. She’d had no idea.
    Her gaze shifted back to the atrocious fountain that was at the moment, thankfully, silent. She sighed. One step at a time, she reminded herself. She’d go to her room, freshen up, check in with Vernelle, then come back down here for dinner and—she thought about what the statue had said—she’d catch the evening show. It couldn’t possibly be any worse