Free Shadow Lover (Siren Publishing Allure) by Audrey Godwin Page A

He turned his head, the glittering play of light catching his interest. He spent several moments mesmerized, then got up from his bed and walked over. He leaned down and picked up the longest and the sharpest. He handled it, turning it over in his hand, feeling the way it fit snugly into his palm. Shifting his eyes, he looked down at his other hand, lifted it, and exposed his wrist. He lightly pulled the shard across his veins, leaving only a faint outline of a scar.
    Sweat broke out on his forehead. He wanted to do it so badly, he could taste it. He saw the shard as salvation, knowing it could take away his misery, his agony. He’d lived in this basement for ten years. No one would miss him. He knew Quinn and Elaine would be better off without him. They could leave the mansion, be free to live their lives, and not have to think about him.
    The decision made, he clenched his teeth determinedly. He squeezed the shard in his hand and before he could talk himself out of it, made a wild slice over his wrist, spewing blood everywhere. Before losing his courage he quickly took the bloody shard in the other hand and sliced his other wrist. Suddenly everything began going dark, the room spinning crazily. His husky body fell hard against the wall, bumping it loudly. With the dark dungeon hiding his shame, he tumbled into oblivion, holding the small, ragged picture of Chyna Marsh—close to his heart.
     
    * * * *
     
    "No kidding? You got a month off?"
    "Yeah, can you believe it? Some poor guy royally screwed up."
    "Yeeehaaa! Where'll we go?"
    "I can't go anywhere Joni.” Chyna sat down on her bed and absentmindedly began playing with the telephone cord. “I’d like to finish the book before I take any time, but with these dreams and everything, I’m an emotional wreck. I really need to just forget everything and enjoy a little peace and quiet."
    "Come on, Chyna, you have to go somewhere."
    "Joni, I get enough travel working on my books.” Laying back, she stretched and yawned. “Really, just staying home and doing nothing sounds better to me than anything else I can think of."
    "Party pooper."
    "Sorry, but believe me, I won't be bored. I gave Mrs. O’Hanlan a paid vacation, and there's plenty here to keep me busy."
    "You're gonna do housework with your time off? I can't believe you, Chyna. If anybody else had a month off, they'd be flyin' halfway around the world partyin' up a storm. But you want to do housework? Talk about dull."
    Chyna sat up, frowning. "Joni, I will not live in a dirty house. Besides, there’ll be time for everything. Anyway, I'm leaving it up to you to think up some really good things we can do while I'm off."
    "Sorry, but I doubt if I could think up anything as exciting as cleaning the grunge off your shower curtain. But I will keep you in mind if I find any new and exciting floral scented toilet cleaners. You know, you're the first person I've ever seen that goes ballistic if her toilet water doesn't stay blue."
    "Why am I getting all this abuse from you?"
    "How in hell are you going to find your dream man if you don't go out and look for him?"
    "Well,” she began as she walked over to the window and looked out. “I, uh…"
    "What? Spit it out."
    "Well, I'm damned tired of looking for him. I think it's about time he tried finding me."
    "She said, as she gracefully hobbled into old age— without a man. "
    "You're a pain, you know that?"
    "I know I'm a pain, but it's what best friends do."
    The next voice Chyna heard was Joni wheezing out a dramatic sigh, and saying with a trembling voice, "But it's all right, I'll get along. Someone has to be the thorn in your side, the splinter in your finger, and the voice of reason in your conscience. I'll suffer silently when you—"
    "Sheee, should I get out my violin?"
    "Smart ass. All right, so you're not going anywhere, but don't say I didn't warn you. Do you know how you're gonna end up? Sittin' out in your swing combing your blue hair, pickin' your false