Free 3 Hit the Road Jack by Christin Lovell Page B

by ignoring their presence.
    Auggy pulled out the chair at the head of the table facing the window and indicated for me to sit. I sat, trying to avoid direct eye contact with anyone.
    “ Relax. Everything will be ok babe.” I smiled knowing it was Kellan talking to me. He gave me the confidence I needed.
    I lifted my head and looked at each person around the table. They were of varying races, yet their age was the same in physical beauty. To know their true age, I had to search their eyes, watch their mannerisms, and possibly the funniest and strangest, look at their choice of pen. They all sat with paper of some sort in front of them, but some had quill pens, other s the ballpoints of today . S everal were using what appeared to be a tool or an instrument carved of stone and dipped in ink, but most used a dip pen ; and one stood out having a basket of berries and a mortar and pestl e . I toyed with the idea of asking everyone about their choice of utensil, but opted to remain quiet.
    “Well, aren’t you going to ask?” One man broke out near the opposite side of the table. His fiery red hair stood out against his pale skin; his light blue eyes danced with amusement and mischief. Given his lilted accent, I knew he had to be Irish.
    “I was trying to be polite,” I smiled.
    “Told you she’d be nervous laddies,” he grinned. “Now pay me me owings.” Several grunts and groans later, the man had a large pile of money sitting in front of him.
    “I suppose we ought to introduce ourselves to the girl,” a woman stated. She was one of four out of twenty-one; certainly a minority. Her blonde hair and blue eyes could put her in many places, but her accent hinting towards British said either the United Kingdom or South Africa. “To answer your curiosity, I am from Johannesburg, South Africa, and no, I cannot read your thoughts. I specialize in the ancient art of emphatic readings.” I had never heard of it, but regardless understood she was picking up on my emotional roller coaster. She nodded once in confirmation. I tried not to worry, holding back the shiver creeping up my spine. Another woman directly across from her was intensely focused on me and seemed to be reading me in some manner as well.
    “Be careful with these women.”
    Auggy cut in and took over. “Let’s get to it and stop wasting time. You know me. Sterling, you’re next. Introduce yourself , ” he ordered, pointing to the general who’d walked with us. They went around the table introducing themselves one by one with their names, birth place and true age. The youngest was thirty-seven; the oldest six-hundred eighty-two.
    Abruptly the doors swung open and a male walked in, a swag in his step and careless grin plastered on his flawless face. His hair was a disheveled mess of dark brown with hints of auburn. While everyone else was in business attired, he donned dark blue jeans, black Converse shoes, and a red polo shirt that showcased the slight swell of muscles beneath with the collar popped up. Perhaps the cockiest part of his outfit was the aviator glasses still in place blocking his eyes.
    I swallowed the emotions welling inside. There was something about this vamp; I felt it. He walked straight up to me and grabbed my left hand. Goose bumps broke out over my entire body; my heart pounded in my chest. He stopped mid-lift at the sight of my ring. I could only imagine how Kellan was reacting to this. The vamp barely shrugged, the only indication that he wasn’t deterred, and proceeded to kiss the back of my hand. I felt his eyes piercing me through the glasses.
    “’Ello love.” His smile was breathtaking. I even caught the hitch in my breath. I immediately blushed. No one had affected me like this since Kellan; not even Kai. I swallowed hard, saved from having to speak w hen Auggy cut in.
    “You’re late… Again!” Auggy barked.
    “Why rush when you ‘ave forever mate?” His gaze burned me. At his wink, a small, shy smile, partly of