Free Shift of Time (A Rue Darrow Novel Book 1) by Audrey Claire Page A

grinning. “Good morning, Rue,” she sing-songed. “I brought you breakfast!”
    I narrowed my eyes at her as she dug a chocolate donut out of a paper bag with the nearby donut shop logo on it. She took a huge bite and chewed then pulled a carton of chocolate milk from another container.
    “What are you on about, Georgia?” I demanded. Then I decided I didn’t care and walked back into my apartment. Georgia followed and shut the door behind her.
    “I told you,” she mumbled around more donut. “I’m bringing you breakfast. Did you know whatever I eat you can taste in my blood?”
    “That’s ridiculous!”
    “Very true. You should give it a try, and what woman doesn’t need the comfort of a little chocolate?”
    I put my hands on my hips, facing her. “I don’t know why you’re so keen on me being your sponsor or whatever you call it. I can’t pay your bills.”
    “I don’t want your money.”
    “Well, I don’t have anything else.” I studied her from head to toe. The dress was the one she had worn a couple nights ago the last time she had stormed my apartment offering her life source. “Are you still at the hotel?”
    She sighed. “No, I’ve moved into an apartment. The neighborhood isn’t as nice as this one, but it will do. You should come over, and we can have a housewarming party, just the two of us.”
    My mouth fell open. “Georgia, you’re not…”
    “No, silly.” She waved her hands. “I don’t have designs on your body, Rue.”
    “Then tell me now!” I forgot myself. The power activated, and I knew the instant I used it on Georgia. Her eyes glazed over, and she stared dully at me.
    Shoot!
    I thought frantically of what to say to her, but everything that came to mind made me worry about scrambling her marbles. Georgia did not need her marbles scrambled because in my opinion they were already a little loose. I wouldn’t be responsible for damaging her mind.
    “Snap out of it, Georgia.” I gave her a little shake, and eventually she blinked a few times. After pushing her into a seat, I ran to the sink to get a glass of water, but she pushed it away. “Say something.”
    “Just let me be a while,” she mumbled, a half smile forming on her face. Understanding dawned as to why she was so eager to be a donor for me. Georgia wanted me to glamour her. My guess was the after affects were like using drugs. The mere thought bowled me over, and I stood in the middle of the floor just watching her.
    Georgia’s chin dropped to her chest, shoulders slumped, hands relaxed. This was a new development, one I could not like. One minute I was feared and hated. Others avoided looking into my eyes. When Georgia came along with her silly ways, I confess I thought at the least this funny woman wanted to be my friend, even if I kept rejecting her. I hadn’t commanded Georgia never to come back, and I had always let her in. On some level, I realized I had welcomed her friendship even if I didn’t want to admit it.
    To find I was just a drug bothered me a lot. Not to mention the fact that Georgia was in essence, an addict. I wouldn’t supply her fix, and no matter what she ate or drank, I would never feed on her blood.
    As I stood over Georgia, I considered whether I should try forcing her out of the high state, but that could cause more harm than good. A knock sounded at the door, and I went to answer it, putting off my lecture to the silly woman.
    I was distracted with thoughts of Georgia, so I was already halfway to the door before I focused on the presence of my visitor. I stumbled and slowed my steps. Why would Almonester come to the second floor? He had never done so from the time I had first moved in.
    Another knock, this one harder and more impatient, and I scrambled to answer. No use getting him worked up. I opened the door. “Almonester, this is a pleasant—”
    He pushed past me and thumped into the apartment, wearing dirty combat boots and dirtier pants. No doubt he was off from working