Free Pigalle Palace by Niyah Moore

you.”
    â€œYou’ll always have me, Essence. Itdoesn’t matter what you decide. I know you feel something for me, so I’m not worried about that. In due time you are going to tell me you love me, so I’m not rushing you.”
    There was no way I was going to rush her and I wasn’t going to let her stray too far or else some other vamp was going to make his move on her.
    â€œLet’s get out right here and take a stroll in the park,” she said.
    I looked around while the cab came to a red light. There was no way we were going to get out and take a stroll in that park. It was one that a very dark brood had taken over. They were called the Ravens, a rebellious group of vampires who were scavengers, and they murdered humans and terrorized any vampire that wasn’t one of them.
    â€œI’ll take you to another park.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with that park?”
    â€œIt’s not safe for us there. Don’t ever go to that park.”
    She nodded and placed her head on my shoulder.
    I was going to tell her about the Ravens when the time was right. I didn’t want to spoil our mood with bad news. Then she would know the difference between them and us.
    â€œThere are so many rules to remember.”
    â€œYou’ll learn them all. It seems overwhelming at first, but you’ll be fine. I’m here to guide you, so if you need to know anything, ask me.”
    I caressed her hair. She stared up into my eyes. As we stared at one another, I bent down and placed a kiss on her lips. Her hand grabbed the back of my head to kiss me deeper.

CHAPTER 15

LEGEND
    I glanced over at Chantal before I headed out to work for the night. She seemed a little distant and there was something troubling behind those engaging brown eyes. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but I refrained. I had concerns of my own.
    I noticed she had been making many phone calls to the United States. I casually asked her about it, but she caught an immediate attitude and denied it, so I left it alone.
    â€œLegend?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat time will you be home tonight?” she asked.
    â€œThe same time I’m home every night. We close at two a.m..”
    Her brain went elsewhere for a second as she played in her hair. “Legend, I’ve been thinking.”
    â€œAbout?”
    â€œI have something to tell you, but I don’t want you to get upset.”
    â€œOkay...” I was hoping she would finally talk about the phone calls.
    â€œI contacted my family to tell them that I’m okay.”
    â€œYou did what?” I scowled.
    â€œYou told me that no one could ever know and that I would have to be a missing person until they figure that I’m dead…but, I can’t do that to my family.”
    â€œWhen did you talk to them?”
    â€œI talked to my mommy. I told her that I’m still in Paris and that I’m okay.”
    I took a deep breath. If her parents decided to come looking for her, that wouldn’t be a good thing.
    â€œWhen is your best friend Jade coming by?”
    â€œI told her that I wouldn’t be going back with her because I fell for someone… But, I really want to avoid her altogether.”
    â€œLook, you can’t talk to anyone else in your family. The vampires of Pigalle Palace live by a covenant and it is strict. We can be killed if the Préfet finds out that you are making human contact with your family members… Look, I need you to understand how serious this is.”
    â€œBut I can’t leave them hanging like this. I want to tell them the truth.”
    Anger rose in me. “You can’t tell them the truth.”
    She turned away from me.
    I sensed something in her. I felt as if she were hiding something from me.
    â€œWhat else is going on?”
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œDon’t lie to me. I can tell when you’re lying to me.”
    â€œI promise you,