[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

herself looking at Noah again. Maybe she had always been a cheesy dork underneath it all. Back in
her life in Salton her friendship with Noah had meant the world to her. She would have done
anything for him then, even with the soul eater inside of her battling for her conscience. The memory
of her depth of feeling for Noah was so sharp, and suddenly not so clouded by his duplicity now that
she was Ankh and fully understood what that all meant. When Noah looked up at her, his violet eyes
smiled at her and she lost her breath for a moment as she drowned in that familiar look. It was a look
that said he cared. And he had looked at her like that for nearly the entire time they had been friends
in Salton. For the first time, Eden began to see how difficult it must have been for him to lie to her.
The smile in Noah s eyes dimmed until he was gazing at her with the most intense expression 
almost as if he had seen the light bulb go on in her head.
A kick to her shins broke their eye contact and Eden glanced sharply at Tobe. The girl was
grinning suggestively at her, her eyes flicking between her and Noah questioningly. Eden made a
face at her and then lowered her gaze to the menu.  I m thinking lemon chicken. What are you guys
having?
Dinner was fun. Now that Noah had relaxed around Cameron the two of them discovered they had
the same taste in music, literature and movies. Eden swore she and Tobe could have walked away
from the table and they wouldn t have even noticed their absence. Instead she sat and had a similar
conversation with Tobe, the boys only interrupting if they heard them talking about a band or a movie
they liked. There was a lot of teasing sarcasm flying around and Eden was amazed by how much fun
she was having.
So this was what it was like to have friends.
The movie selection was a little disappointing so they eventually decided on a comedy about a
group of guys in the 80 s. There was some laugh out loud moments but Eden had seen funnier. They
trailed out of the cinema back into the light of the centre discussing the film with the lukewarm
reception it had received.
 God, it brought back memories, Noah said, running a hand through his hair and shuddering.  So
glad the 80 s are over. The hair, the clothes, the music. Not cool.
The others laughed but Eden drew to an abrupt halt.
Noah was like& really seventy! Why was that just hitting her? Cyrus and Val were really old,
yeah, but Noah? Well, he acted so  current that she kind of forgot that he had lived through World
War II and the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam and& disco.
 What is it? Noah asked turning back to her, his eyebrows furrowed with concern.
Eden gave him a little smile.  I was just thinking you ll have to tell me about it sometime.
 What the 80 s?
 Your life.
His eyes brightened and his mouth quirked up into a sexy half smile.  Anytime.
 Oh, out on a double date are we? an annoying sugary sweet Celtic voice shot through Eden. She
closed her eyes and groaned. Shona. The four of them turned as Shona and Mark strolled over to
them. Arms crossed over her chest and hip cocked, Shona slid a pointed look at Tobe and then
Cameron.  Oh silly me, of course not.
At the wounded, tight look on Tobe s face, Eden s eyes narrowed. What was that all about? Shona
knew something. Enough to hurt Tobe s feelings with it. Oh, to hell with making a good impression.
Eden snapped her gaze back at Shona and the girl flinched under her regard.  What about you,
Shona? It s getting late; shouldn t you be working your corner already?
Eden ignored the choked laughter from behind her and the expressionless Noah beside her as
Shona bravely (or foolishly) sneered at her,  Whore jokes? How original.
 Well, I like to stick with the classics.
 You know, it s no wonder McLeish has a problem with you. I thought his attitude was peculiar
because you re an Ankh, but you re such an unbelievable brat I can see why he can t stand you.
Eden tried not to let the comment affect her and was about to verbally bitch slap Shona when
Noah stepped forward.  What are you talking about?
Immediately Shona s eyes widened, a tiny spark of fear glittering in their depths at Noah s sudden
interest.  Nothing.
 Tell me.
At his rumbling tone, Mark nudged his girlfriend to respond.
 Um, Shona gulped.  I just overhead him telling my dad that he thought Eden was a problem.
Anxiety shot through Eden. Crap, was Councilman McLeish the betrayer? Please no. She glanced
at Noah for his reaction and watched the tendons in his jaw flex.  The only problem I see right now is
your lack of respect for the Princeps daughter.
At the thickening tension, Mark coughed uncomfortably, his olive skin flushing dark with
embarrassment.  Uh, we re just here to see Drop Dead Zombie 2.
 Ehhh nooooo. Shona spun on him, glaring.  The Diary.
 I thought-
 Don t think. She threw her palm up to interrupt him.  Ugh, I need the bathroom. The air in here
is messing up my hair. Get the tickets will you. And get me a Diet Coke, no ice. Diiieet. No ice. Also
a little box of salted popcorn, not sweet like last time. It was sweet instead of salt and they gave me
crap for trying to change it. Oh and make sure it s fresh and hot. I don t want any of that soggy
rubbish. With that she flounced off in search of the ladies room, leaving them all in stunned silence.
Eden quirked an eyebrow at the easy-going Mark.  Dude, your girlfriend is so far past high
maintenance even the janitor quit.
Chapter Fourteen
Playing with Fire
Dwight Carey was the kind of guy even an unconscionable son-of-a-bitch like Teagan despised. He
was a Warrior of Neith who had worked for the Ankh Princeps for six years as part of his security [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]