Free Soul Stealer by C.D. Breadner Page B

marked the beginning of the next stage in his development. He still felt like he had enough juice left to start to solidify further; a heavier shadow, thicker air like an impending thunderstorm working itself up.
    He didn’t need her. He knew where to find her if he wanted. He had to just get away and check his progress when he was calmer. He should hide away and wait for this amazing surge to get to work.
    He could have stretched it felt so good, if feeling was the right term. More than anything he had the sense that he was finally on a downslope after years of pedaling up a hill.
    It was enough motivation to keep him trying; that was for sure.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Iola blinked herself awake, very warm and alert suddenly. Blackout blinds on the windows kept the light at bay for the most part. The sheet snuggled against her arm coolly, and someone else’s arm was thrown across her hip.
    She raised her head and looked down, giving a small laugh. Claudia had kicked off her part of the blankets and was sprawled on her stomach at Iola’s back. It was her arm holding her in place.
    She put her head back down, letting her eyes slide closed again. They hadn’t done this in forever. Only a couple times after the incident, and not at all since she’d gotten really serious with Vinnie. If Iola wasn’t tired when she got home from her night shift at the radio station or if Claudia’d had a rough night at work they’d usually bunk together, either drinking wine and bitching or just falling asleep feeling safe and secure. Iola had that with Vinnie now but Claudia …
    Iola twisted onto her back under Claudia’s arm, studying her friend as she slept. Her mouth was slack, her hair tossed every which way. Even unconscious and dead to the world she looked like a Victoria’s Secret model. Her lips were full and sensual, the kind that drove men batty. Her skin was creamy with a slightly darker olive twinge. Big brown eyes as shrewd as they were seductive. Claudia was the whole package, but she had a hell of a time keeping one person in her life as a romantic partner. Iola had a hard time imagining why.
    Maybe it was her job. Maybe it was the odd moments of insecurity that Claudia had. Maybe it was her past issues with intimacy. Iola couldn’t imagine that being raped was something one easily forgot.
    Claudia snuffled in her sleep, puckering her lips then relaxing back in to her dream.
    Iola let her eyes fall closed again, remarkably comfortable. She might even be able to fall back asleep …
    Claudia moaned in her sleep, shifting and bending one leg up to her side, rolling on to one hip. Iola opened her eyes, but Claudia was quiet and still again. Then, suddenly, she sighed and moaned again, her face puckering up like she was concerned about something.
    Iola just let her live through whatever she was dreaming. It was none of her business …
    “Eye … oh-la …”
    Iola frowned, studying her friend’s face again just as Claudia bit her lip and arched her back. “Iola!”
    She stopped breathing and froze in place, decidedly uncomfortable now. She didn’t have a big ego but it was pretty obvious that Claudia might be having some kind of erotic dream about her. She closed her eyes and moved to turn over as Claudia moaned her name again. She should just ignore it. Claudia was sleeping, couldn’t help it.
    She stayed frozen on her back, face looking away. Claudia gave a couple of soft moans, then coughed.
    It startled Iola and she jerked her head around just as Claudia woke up. Her hair was tousled, still looking fantastic, her lips red, her cheeks flushed. And she was looking at Iola, confused.
    “Good morning,” Iola said, trying to sound casual, which probably ensured that she sounded as unnatural as possible.
    “Iola?”
    “We both slept in.”
    Claudia put a hand to her chest. “Holy hell. That must have been quite the dream. My heart’s racing.”
    Iola said nothing, just kept staring. She had no idea what to