Free Knight's Curse by Karen Duvall Page A

in a denim jacket and faded blue jeans. The jacket hung open to reveal a white T-shirt that had some kind of saying on it, but all I could make out was the word world. I felt tempted to look closer and read the whole thing when the image of his naked body flashed through my mind. Oh, hell. My face turned hot enough to singe my hair.
    I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms. “Okay, talk.”
    “We have a few things in common, you and I. Special abilities. The Vyantara.” He jerked his head toward the street. “I’m on your side, you know. Want to get a coffee? I know a great place that caters to people like us. You’ll like it.”
    People like us? That was cryptic, not to mention unsettling. “I don’t know you.”
    “Not yet.” He winked. “But you will. Come on. I don’t bite.”
    I frowned and thought that over. Vampires didn’t have auras, either.
    “I know what you’re thinking.” He grinned, showing straight white teeth. “I’m not a vampire.”
    “So you read minds, too?”
    “No, but I’m pretty good at reading faces. And you’re terrible at hiding your thoughts.” He offered me his arm. “Coming?”
    So I didn’t trust him. What else was new? If he was Vyantara, then going with him would prove me a good little slave, which might earn me points after the stunt I just pulled with Zee. And if he wasn’t Vyantara, that was even better. He claimed to be on my side and I could sure use an ally. Too bad tonight’s agenda didn’t include a coffee date with a stranger who could vanish at the drop of a hat and take with him every stitch of clothing.
    “Sorry, no can do. I have an errand to run,” I told him.
    His smile disappeared and a look of concern crossed his face. “Need some help?”
    I shook my head. This guy was a kook. A handsome kook, but still a kook.
    “The city is dangerous for a woman alone. Especially at night.”
    I flicked open my knife. “I can take care of myself.”
    He cleared his throat. “I’m sure you can.” He studied me hard, squinting as if trying to see through my skin to the real me underneath.
    “Take a picture. It’ll last longer,” I said, rolling my eyes as I closed my knife to slip it back into its sheath. “Look, Mr….”
    “Aydin. Aydin Berkant.”
    “I’m in a hurry, Aydin, so if you don’t mind—”
    “You’re looking for information,” he said, his expression shrewd.
    I blinked. “How the hell would you know what I’m looking for?”
    “Because I know who you are, remember? I know a lot of things, and I’m happy to share them with you. Like I said, I’m on your side.” He headed off down the alley. “I’m in the mood for coffee, something with caramel in it.”
    Watching him walk away, I began having second thoughts.
    “By the way, there are lots of ghosts in the city at night,” he said over his shoulder. “Spirits. Dead things. I’m not a fan, but if you are, knock yourself out. I can always tell you this important information some other time.”
    I was hoping to get what I needed from Saint Geraldine, but considering the hour and that I wasn’t even sure I could hack my way inside the church, I knew I should settle for whatever Aydin could give me. For now. I sensed honesty behind his light-colored eyes, and he had something I wasn’t used to seeing in a man. Charm. Yes, that was it. He was charming.
    “Just one cup, and I take it black. None of that foo-foo latte shit,” I said, the frown etched deep into my forehead. I hoped I wasn’t making a mistake.
    He turned around to grin at me. “Excellent choice.”
     
     
    My social experience was kind of embarrassing. Especially when it came to guys. I’d had crushes on a couple of my instructors during training, but it was nothing more than infatuation. They were older and I looked up to them, sort of like hero worship, and when I think back on who those people were I want to kick myself. Both were Vyantara with one-track minds and they’d left skid marks after running all