Free The Chosen Knights (Read Prequel--The Angel Knights first) (The Angel Knights Series Book 2) by Mary Ting

almost floated off the ground.
    “Looks like I have competition.”
    I knew that voice—the one that had captured me from the first word—the one that beckoned my full attention. I turned to the sound of Eli’s voice, startling at first, yet somehow soothing. My eyes flew to the leather cord at his neck, curious to know what he was hiding, and then met his stunning, sparkling eyes.
    “Competition? For what? Jack is one of the sweetest friends I know. And—and you’re not.” Crap. That was the lamest thing I’d ever said. I was an intelligent being, but somehow he made me act like I had no brain, as if my thoughts jumbled up every time he was around. “Looks like you have plenty of competition—girls, demons, or whatever at your table. Go talk to them.” When I pointed at his table, everyone there was staring at us.
    Eli bit his lip and gazed at mine. “I don’t want to talk to them. I want to talk to you.”
    “Isn’t that too bad.” I crossed my arms. “I don’t want to talk to you. You have plenty of friends over there to talk to. I’m on my way out.”
    Giving me a mischievous grin, he said, “So you were watching me?”
    “No.” I looked down at the floor, hoping he wouldn’t see my blushing cheeks.
    “Then are you jealous, Luuuchiaa?” He dragged out my name. The way he said it sounded so intimate, like we’d been friends for a long time.
    I stifled a laugh. “Oh, please. Don’t flatter yourself. You’re my worst nightmare, don’t you remember?” I turned my back on him to leave, but my body swung around without my consent and was inches away from his. My eyes went straight to his hand gripping my arm. When I gazed up, his dark mysterious eyes pierced deeply into mine. It felt like he was looking through me, maybe even searching for something in them. It took him a few seconds to respond.
    “I do remember.” He paused as if to take a moment to assess. “Something isn’t right today. I suggest you don’t go out tonight. In fact, stay home.”
    I yanked my arm from his hold. “That’s a strange demand. You don’t have the right to order me around.”
    Eli grabbed me again. His arm wrapped around my waist until my body touched his. I gasped at the sudden realization of what happened and the fact I liked the way he held me. When his lips brushed the tip of my ear, I quivered.
    “I’m serious,” he whispered. “I’m warning you. Don’t go out tonight. Something evil is in the air when there’s a blue moon. I don’t know what kind of demon you are, but I know one thing for sure, you’re not evil. You’re stubborn, but not a monster. And by the way”—he inhaled a deep, slow breath while his lips feathered lightly against my face—“you smell...intoxicating.”
    My breath hitched and I lost myself in a state of euphoria. My heart raced so fast I could hear it pounding against my chest. Then he walked out of the cafeteria, leaving me baffled. How had that happened? I was the one who was supposed to walk out. It was too hot in there. When cool air replaced his warmth, I took a moment to gather myself.
    I raised my hand to let my brother know I was fine. He had already risen, ready to come to my aid. Apparently, my brother wasn’t the only one noticing Eli and me. Everyone at our table stared at me, especially Abel.
    Apparently, Eli wasn’t evil, at least so far. Why would he warn me? Was his warning even sincere? To top that, I wondered what intoxicating smelled like. I hated that I smiled at the thought.

 
    Chapter 9

    “It’s nice to finally meet you, Lucia,” Jack’s grandmother greeted me, opening the front door.
    Her long silvery braid down the length of her back caught my attention, and I might have stared a bit too long. Wrinkles on her forehead and at the corners of her eyes when she smiled defined her age. However old she was, she was stunning. I adored her long, pink and purple Hawaiian floral dress.
    “It’s nice to meet you too, Mrs. Molay.” I smiled,