Free Cameo and the Highwayman (Trilogy of Shadows Book 2) by Dawn McCullough-White Page A

watched from the windows. He saw as Cameo reentered the apartment from its downstairs door with Black Opal on her heels.
    Chester set more liquor on the bar that he had stocked for Cameo.
    The vampire realized he was still clasping a novel and set it aside slowly, all the while listening to the conversation the two of them were having on the steps. He could hear Opal’s heart pounding through the doorway… it was maddening.
    The door swung open and they entered. Cameo gave Edel a hard look as she moved toward the whiskey.
    Opal waltzed into the sitting room, and the tall, white feathers on his hat dusted the doorway on his way in. He was oblivious. Snow tumbled from his duster and onto the carpet. The room was cream and gold gilt, warmed by a crackling fire and a massive amount of cakes on a golden tray before him.
    At first the dandy just looked around the room, uncertain, gazing at the exquisite antiques and enjoying the wealth of the room, and then he realized they weren’t alone in the room at all. There was a pair of eyes staring at him from the darkest corner, and they were silver… quicksilver.
    The dandy startled. It was the vampire.
    His eyes turned from silver to a more human shade of brown as he moved into the candlelight. He was a little taller than Opal, with dark hair pulled back neatly into a ponytail, and he was impeccably dressed in a simple but elegant black suit.
    Opal was astounded by his beauty.
    As Edel drew nearer, he could see the glint of a chain around the fop’s neck. It was an amulet of the sun, and whoever had worn it before had a powerful aura. There was still a brilliant residue left behind on the pendant.
    “Could you take that off?” The vampire glanced down at the fine carpet.
    “This?” Opal suddenly touched the necklace Kyrian had given him, a bit surprised that a holy symbol could really turn an undead as it had never bothered Cameo.
    “She hasn’t fallen quite as far as I have.”
    “What?”
    Cameo took a step toward them, “He’s reading your mind.”
    “Who is Kyrian?”
    She attempted to silence Opal with a look.
    “Just a silly boy.”
    “A boy?” Edel tried to face him but the amulet made him too uncomfortable. “A powerful boy. Could you, would you please remove that thing so we can have a reasonable conversation?”
    “Really, I don’t know why it’s bothering you so much.” Opal smiled, “I’m hardly a believer myself.”
    “Yes… but Kyrian is.”
    “Is that all it takes?” Cameo inquired.
    Annoyed, Edel turned to look into Opal’s eye, “Remove the amulet.”
    Opal slid the necklace over his head as if he had meant to do so all along.
    “Now put it in that vase to your left.”
    He did so.
    “That’s enough, Edel,” Cameo’s voice was stern.
    He could still see the glow of the aura through the vase where the amulet had landed.
    “Come inside, and sit down.”
    “I prefer to stand,” the highwayman smiled, then sat down on the sofa Edel had directed him to, away from the vase.
    “Then why are you sitting?”
    “Stop it, Edel!”
    The vampire sulked as he moved away from him.
    Opal found himself on a settee facing the fireplace, a little unsure how he had gotten there.
    “I may not have a pistol anymore, but Black Opal had the sense to bring one with him,” she hissed, hoping to remind him of the deal they had made.
    “I didn’t hurt him.”
    “Haffef likes to toy with his victims, too.”
    “Don’t say that. We are nothing alike.” He spun around to face her. “I only meant to bring your friend inside to visit. I intended no harm.”
    Opal was enchanted by the sound of the vampire’s voice. It was so melodic, and he found it difficult to take his attention from him.
    Edel glanced at him. Opal was on the settee facing the hearth but had one arm over the back of the sofa and was staring directly at him.
    Cameo followed Edel’s gaze.
    “It’s a lovely residence you have here,” Opal said, toying with one of the plumes on his