Read Immortal Blood (1) for Free Online Page A

himself to say it.’
    ‘Oh shut up,’ Calvin snapped, looking betrayed. His eyes abruptly bore into mine, and that solid determination of his returned. ‘I like you.’
    ‘What?’ I said, pretending not to have heard him.
    ‘I said – I like you.’
    ‘Well, that’s too bad, friend,’ Corey once again felt the need to speak up. ‘She’s taken.’
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘He’s just being silly,’ I explained, not even deigning to his way. ‘Don’t listen to him.’
    It was Corey’s turn to ignore me. ‘We’re engaged, Ranka and I.’
    Sigurd whistled, but then corrected himself by saying, ‘Congratulations.’
    ‘Shut up,’ Cal vin and I said in unison, then he continued in a panicky tone, ‘How come?’
    ‘Look,’ I replied, ‘we’re not engaged. Not even close to it. Our mothers had this foolish idea to bring us together, but it’s been a real nightmare so far. Besides,’ I added, glimpsing in the rearview mirror, ‘what do you care what I do wi th my life. You’re a sorcerer.’ He just held my gaze, knowing all too well that I was enjoying myself with all the needling.
    ‘It’s my fault, now, is it? Just like you, I was born this way.’
    ‘That doesn’t change the fact that if your seniors find about what you’ve done for me, your license to perform magic would be revoked. Nor does it change the fact that you and I are practically sworn enemies.’
    ‘I agree, but it also doesn’t change the fact that I like you .’
    ‘Hey,’ Corey stepped in, ‘watch it, man. She’s mine. Go find yourself a sorceress or something. You don’t stand a chance with her.’
    ‘Why don’t you zip it, bloody?’
    ‘Why don’t you make me?’ he countered, turning around.
    ‘All right, all right, tough guys,’ was my reaction, ‘easy with the testosterone levels in here. If you must know, neither of you two stand a chance. I’m not interested –’
    ‘In guys?’ Corey demanded, appearing afraid of what the answer might be.
    ‘In having a relationship, you idiot,’ I finished my sentence. ‘Corey, no offense, but you’re not my type. Although, I’ll admit you are good-looking and I at times bask in your attention. I mean, what girl doesn’t like a bit of attention? Calvin,’ I paused, before picking the right words, ‘we’re just not meant to be.’
    ‘Why?’ he said, leaning toward me. ‘Because you’re scared?’
    ‘Scared of what?’
    ‘You’re feelings for me. You’re afraid of the challenges and obstacles that’ll come our way, if you give in to your desires.’
    ‘Wow , dude. Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun a little? You could say we’ve only just met and we know nothing, and I mean nothing about each other.’
    ‘Yet you feel what I feel, don’t you?’
    ‘Look, man, I told you to lay off her,’ Corey warned, looking extremely cross. Then to me, ‘And what’s the matter with you? Why are you even talking to him? He’s a magician, for Odin’s sake!’
    ‘I know who he is, Corey. I’ve got eyes, in case you haven’t noticed.’
    ‘You think this is a joke?’ he said, looking really upset now. ‘If this becomes a friendship or, gods forbid, something more than that, then your mother could have you executed. Do you understand that?’
    ‘Awww,’ I said mockingly, ‘little mommy’s boy is concerned he’ll get caught misbehaving.’
    ‘Can you be serious for at least one second?’
    ‘You be serious, if you like. I’ll be fun.’
    It appeared he wanted to say something, but bit his tongue at the last instant and voiced, ‘Then I’ll be fun, too.’
    I stole a glance at him askance. ‘Why don’t you just go on being your annoying, boring self instead?’
    ‘Well, for one thing, we’ve already got someone who’s annoying.’
    ‘Look,’ Calvin barged in, ‘how serious is this whole engagement thing?’
    ‘Kindergarten-level serious. The only thing we forgot to do is exchange candy rings. In any case, we’ll be reaching my