Read Online Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang - Free Book Online

empty-handed.”
    He let out a humorless laugh. There was a hint of brimstone about it, like it contained the promise of damnation wrapped in silk. “Don’t be too sure of that,” he said, his eyes resting on me for a moment. He sniffed the air, a forked tongue flicking out toward the unicorn, scenting him.
    I shifted the unicorn in my arms, turning him away from the daemon. “That’s enough,” I said. “Buy something or leave.”
    He straightened up as Didi fluttered by, scaled face brightening. “Ah, well, perhaps I’ve found something just as good, eh?” With a chuckle that would have turned milk sour, the daemon licked his lips and followed the pixie out the door.
    I shuddered, knowing it wasn’t right, but also knowing there was very little I could do about it. Whatever pathetic amount of authority I had ended as soon as they crossed the threshold. But I had bigger things to worry about. A murmur of voices rippled in my ear, a cacophony of elbows and polite coughs and “highly unusual,” and “I wonder what Moira will make of this,” and “it’s not right . . . it’s just not right.”
    I was suddenly eager to be done with this day. It was nearly 1:00 A.M . Close enough. “We’re closing,” I announced loudly. “Make your purchases and we’ll see you soon.”
    There were a few grumbles, but most of the patrons filed out sharply enough. An unassuming fellow wearing spectacles and a scarf brought up the rear. A tiny pair of horns burst from his brow, nearly covered by the soft chestnut waves of his hair. He bought tea and a tin of biscuits before disappearing into the night, a winged cat at his heels.
    Apparently some daemons really liked their chai.
    The Gypsy was the last to leave, pausing at the counter to tip his violin at me. His gaze held a gleam of amusement when it fell upon the unicorn. He eyed me suggestively and then laughed softly.
    “Yeah, yeah,” I muttered. “Everyone’s a critic.”
    He chuckled again, teeth flashing. I gestured at the boxes that Al had left beside the counter. “Looks like your special order didn’t come in again. Maybe next time?”
    He nodded and bowed before gathering up his violin and slipping out the door. I breathed a sigh of relief at the sudden silence.
    “Finally.”
    My heart pattered with another little thrill as I remembered the unicorn in my arms. He curled his upper lip and bleated plaintively.
    “Are you hungry?” I suddenly realized I had no idea what to feed him, let alone any concept of taking care of his basic needs. It’s not like I could run to PetSmart for unicorn treats.
    I set him down for a moment, my fingers lingering in the cirrus fluff of his mane. I had a few more minutes and then I’d have to leave too, or I’d be stuck in the store until it reopened. I’d already done that once, and I wasn’t eager to repeat the experience, even if I did manage to enchant my iPod as a result.
    Whatever Brystion and the rest of them thought, the iPod hadn’t been part of the bargain between me and Moira. The concept had amused her enough that she’d let me keep the damn thing despite the fact that I’d nearly wrecked the store trying to get out.
    I looked over at the pile of deliveries. I slit open the top box with a knife and ran a quick eye over the basic merchandise. Nothing that couldn’t wait. Yawning, I rubbed my eyes. “Time for bed.” A feather-light touch brushed my shin and Igazed down absently, then looked away and shuddered.
    “Forgive me if I’m wrong,” I said, my voice strangled. “I mean, I know I’m an idiot and all, but I’m pretty sure unicorns aren’t supposed to hump people’s ankles.”
    The unicorn made a shrugging motion as if to say,
What can you do?
    “I’ll show
you
what I can do, you little shit.” I stepped away, shoving at him with my foot. “Get off me.” Unperturbed, he shook himself like a dog and trotted over to the door. He pawed at it with a dainty cloven hoof. If he hadn’t just been