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

at the bar. While he didn’t dress nice exactly, he didn’t usually look like he had been sleeping beneath a car with an oil leak, unless he had the night free.
    Almonester stopped short and eyeballed Georgia in silence. I placed a fist on my hip. “It’s very rude to barge into someone’s place even if you are the landlord. What do you want, Almonester?”
    He ground his yellowed teeth, still staring at Georgia. “What do you have here?”
    “It’s my friend, Georgia. She’s having a little marriage trouble.”
    He put up a hand in disgust as if I had thrown acid on him and then grumbled. Maybe that’s how beings of his ilk saw a commitment like marriage. “Not her! Something.”
    He dropped his voice so low, it wasn’t likely Georgia could hear even if she were standing right next to him. I heard without issue.
    “You have something magical here. What is it?”
    My jaw dropped. He sensed the box? But how? He hadn’t even been home when I brought it into the house, and from what I could tell, the vibrations I had described to Milo were minimal on the box. In fact, they were muffled even more when the pouch was closed over the box. Perhaps Almonester’s sense was keener.
    “I don’t have anything,” I lied, recalling Milo’s order to keep it a secret. “Even if I did have something, which I don’t , that’s my business. I pay for this apartment, and you’ve got no right to come up here questioning me about things that have nothing to do with rent.”
    I skated on thin ice. Almonester’s anger was almost palpable. He worked his fists, pumping them over and over. If he wanted to let loose his frustrations, I wasn’t sure what I could do with Georgia to protect and no clue as to his abilities. I already knew mine were limited.
    I recalled Ian had placed a barrier over my apartment to keep out those with evil intent, but what did evil intent include? Physical attacks only? Since Almonester had walked in without hindrance just now, I assumed he had no wish to do me harm. What about thievery? What if he decided to come search for the cube during the day? He could steal it right from under me and then claim no knowledge later. There would be nothing I could do about it.
    “Well, are you going to leave, Almonester, or do I have to call the police?”
    He laughed. At least I’m pretty sure Almonester chuckled. The sound I heard was derisive and abrasive. Maybe it could be termed a laugh, but a mangled and depraved one.
    “The police cannot protect you, vampire. Perhaps you should call your boyfriend home, or did he cast you aside? Your kind is famous for doing that. I don’t suppose we’ll ever see him again unless he’s just visiting New Orleans with his next fledgling.”
    “You don’t know what you’re talking about. Ian would never do that!”
    He curled his upper lip, baring his teeth. “No? Where is he? Has he spoken to you since he left?”
    “I… His phone is off.” I mumbled. Why did I admit that?
    “Phone?” Almonester genuinely seemed surprised at this. “You are stupid.”
    “Of all the rudeness…get out of my apartment, Almonester.” I straightened, my eyes narrowed in anger. I felt it this time, hot and strong like a fire waiting to consume the entire house. The sensation wasn’t pleasing as I had become more used to feeling almost nothing. Was I feeding off of Almonester’s emotions? The mere thought disgusted me. “Out!”
    He strode to the door but paused with his hand on the knob. “No magical items or people allowed in this apartment. Get rid of it.”
    He slammed the door behind him, and I listened to his steps descending the stairs. When I was sure I didn’t smell him anymore, I locked the door and first ran to Georgia and dropped to my knees in front of her. “Georgia, are you okay?”
    She hardly stirred, and the smile on her face creeped me out. Her eyes were still glassy. For a moment, I considered using my glamour to force her to alertness again, but what if it