Free Dark Citadel by Cherise Sinclair

she wasn’t going to stop now.

    42 Cherise Sinclair
    Chapter Seven

    The warm tropical breeze lifted Kari’s hair as she hurried up to the Shadowlands on Wednesday evening. She scowled at the setting sun. She was late. The stupid car had overheated, forcing her to drive slower. She really needed to get it to the repair shop.
    She’d always hated being tardy, but it was far, far worse tonight. Her stomach churned, like she’d eaten worms for lunch instead of her usual tuna sandwich. And she probably should have eaten supper instead of changing clothes fifteen times; she still had not found anything appropriate.
    What if everyone was here already? This was just so not like her, going someplace alone. At least Buck had accompanied her on Monday, even if that hadn’t lasted long.
    She grinned briefly.
    Her smile faded as she remembered who had taken his place. And how unhappily the evening had ended.
    But if she didn’t attend this class, she’d feel like a coward, like Master Dan had driven her away. She wiped her damp hands on her dress and raised her chin. To heck with Sir anyway; she’d darned well have fun with someone else.
    The tall oak doors were open. Sucking in a breath, she walked inside. Behind the desk, the big guard rose, and a smile lightened his battered face. “Welcome back, Miss Kari.”
    “Thank you, Ben.”
    He flipped through the file box on the desk, found her name, made a check on the card. “Give me your shoes and socks; then you can go right in.” He pointed to the door on the far wall, not the one that led to Master Z’s office. Apparently she didn’t have to go through the screening process again.

    Masters of the Shadowlands: Dark Citadel

    43
    After setting her blue-striped sneakers and pink socks on his desk, she looked at the door and hesitated. Last chance to escape. Her feet didn’t want to move. After a minute, she glanced at the guard.
    His brows drew together, making him look just plain mean. “Did you have trouble here last time?” he growled. “Something I should know about?”
    Oh heavens . “No, not at all. Everyone was very nice.” Did putting cuffs on a woman fall into the nice category? “I’m just…” She sighed and confessed, “I’m working up my nerve. I’m not used to going places like this by myself, you know?”
    “Gotcha.” Ben grinned at her. “You don’t have the look of a loner. Hang on just a sec.” He pressed a button on his desk.
    “No, wait!” Too late .
    “What?” The bartender’s voice barked out of the intercom.
    “If Jessie’s in there, can you ask if she’d escort one of the newbie subs inside? She’s feelin’ a little lonely.”
    A snort. “If she’s a sub, she won’t be lonely long.” A pause. “She’s on her way out.”
    Kari felt like a kindergartner refusing to walk into school on the first day. “I would have—”
    “Nah.” Ben sat back down at the desk. “Don’t worry. You’re not the first novice to get scared, won’t be the last.”
    The inner door opened, and the woman who Kari had met on Monday trotted out, her blonde hair bouncing. “Hey, I was hoping you’d be back.”
    Kari smiled, pleasure mingling with relief. “Thanks for rescuing me. I’m not sure why I froze.”
    “Been there, done that.” Jessica grinned at the guard. “Right, Ben?”
    He shook his head. “You were trouble from the beginning. Get a move on. I think she’s the last to arrive.”
    “In that case, let’s get you in before Raoul gets all huffy.” Jessica pushed Kari through the doors and into the club room.
    Trying not to be obvious, Kari looked around for Master Dan. His tall figure didn’t appear, and disappointment grew inside her, making her chest ache.
    As they passed the bar, the bartender, Master Cullen, grinned at Kari. “Now if I’d known it was you, I’d have gone out myself to hold your hand.”
    She gave him a tentative smile, unsure if he was joking or not.
    At the end of the room, they found the class.