Read Online Chevalier (Ondine Quartet #2.2) by Emma Raveling - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Emma Raveling
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not moving."
The indignation in her eyes was adorable. "It was work-related."
A group of rowdy high-schoolers got in front of us.
"Uh-huh," she said dryly. "And I suppose making my chest two sizes bigger also had to do with work."
Target headed left, toward the northwest exit.
"Of course." I passed through the turnstile and decided to push a little further. "It's important to create a pleasant work environment."
"Huh." Eyes narrowed, like she was picturing strangling me. "Then I'd like to file a complaint."
This should be good. "What is it?"
"If you're judging the quality of a workplace based on the view, then this is a disaster." She shot a pointed look at my pudgy torso and the bulging stomach hanging over the front of my jeans. "I want washboard abs. A tight ass. Perfectly muscled chest."
Her eyes dropped to the front of my pants.
"And I'd also like a bigger…size," she said sweetly.
Laughter burst from my lips. Unfortunately, part of my disguise was a voice that matched the external sloppiness.
A wheezy cackle echoed in the concrete stairwell.
"You sound like a hyena with a cold."
She was too much fun. "Management will take your complaint under consideration."
"Good."
We climbed out into the night just as the tall, black-capped figure turned west on Ninety-seventh.
New York's bitter winter chill barreled down on us. Our breaths fogged the air as we weaved through fast moving crowds on Broadway.
Maintaining half a block's distance, we followed him across West End Avenue toward the river. Halfway down the street, a doorman stepped out to greet him and he entered the building.
We casually walked past, continuing to the entrance of Riverside Park.
Shivering, Kendra pulled her coat tighter and settled on a bench with a direct view of the building entrance.
"What's the plan?"
We knew where an Aquidae lived. Now it was a matter of gathering the necessary information.
"It's a Friday night. He'll probably go out soon." Once he did, I'd approach. I took out my phone to make the call. "You should go back to the brownstone."
The wards around the building would keep her safe while I was gone.
"I'm coming with you," she said.
"You already did your part."
"So?"
I paused. The glint in her eyes suddenly reminded me of the Governor.
"So why do I need you?"
"I can track them." She crossed her arms. "Useful skill to have."
True. But her imperious expression left me irritable. Even on the opposite side of the country, Haverleau's influence was everywhere.
"Can you be a good tracking dog and heel when I tell you to?"
"I don't know." She flashed a deadly smile. "Can you walk around the city after I break your leg in two places?"
My mouth twitched. "You'll need to stay hidden. Your aura is less visible, but it's still there. I don't want him to notice you."
A light snow began to fall, delicate drops landing on our clothes and hair.
"I have no problems defending —"
"I'm meeting him as an Aquidae. My only objective is convincing him I'm one of them. If we spot you, I have to look like I want to hurt you." I gently brushed a flake off her brow. "That's something I'd like to avoid."
Worry briefly flickered across her face. But it disappeared as quickly as the snow melting on her coat.
"Fine. So what's next, Lieutenant?"
I wondered if her concern was for the investigation or me.
"We wait."
TWO
The purple velvet sofa enveloped me like a throne.
Reclining on the plush upholstery, I stretched my legs and observed tonight's setting.
An assortment of clientele packed the two levels of Inferno, a club in the Meatpacking District of the West Village.
Giddy young models enjoyed their first taste of city nightlife. New Jersey players with money to burn came for a wild night on the other side of the Hudson. A few B-list actors and musicians lounged, accompanied by the usual bullshit entourage of hanger-ons and wannabes.
House music pulsed with a hypnotic beat. Red splashes of light painted the walls and floor,
The indignation in her eyes was adorable. "It was work-related."
A group of rowdy high-schoolers got in front of us.
"Uh-huh," she said dryly. "And I suppose making my chest two sizes bigger also had to do with work."
Target headed left, toward the northwest exit.
"Of course." I passed through the turnstile and decided to push a little further. "It's important to create a pleasant work environment."
"Huh." Eyes narrowed, like she was picturing strangling me. "Then I'd like to file a complaint."
This should be good. "What is it?"
"If you're judging the quality of a workplace based on the view, then this is a disaster." She shot a pointed look at my pudgy torso and the bulging stomach hanging over the front of my jeans. "I want washboard abs. A tight ass. Perfectly muscled chest."
Her eyes dropped to the front of my pants.
"And I'd also like a bigger…size," she said sweetly.
Laughter burst from my lips. Unfortunately, part of my disguise was a voice that matched the external sloppiness.
A wheezy cackle echoed in the concrete stairwell.
"You sound like a hyena with a cold."
She was too much fun. "Management will take your complaint under consideration."
"Good."
We climbed out into the night just as the tall, black-capped figure turned west on Ninety-seventh.
New York's bitter winter chill barreled down on us. Our breaths fogged the air as we weaved through fast moving crowds on Broadway.
Maintaining half a block's distance, we followed him across West End Avenue toward the river. Halfway down the street, a doorman stepped out to greet him and he entered the building.
We casually walked past, continuing to the entrance of Riverside Park.
Shivering, Kendra pulled her coat tighter and settled on a bench with a direct view of the building entrance.
"What's the plan?"
We knew where an Aquidae lived. Now it was a matter of gathering the necessary information.
"It's a Friday night. He'll probably go out soon." Once he did, I'd approach. I took out my phone to make the call. "You should go back to the brownstone."
The wards around the building would keep her safe while I was gone.
"I'm coming with you," she said.
"You already did your part."
"So?"
I paused. The glint in her eyes suddenly reminded me of the Governor.
"So why do I need you?"
"I can track them." She crossed her arms. "Useful skill to have."
True. But her imperious expression left me irritable. Even on the opposite side of the country, Haverleau's influence was everywhere.
"Can you be a good tracking dog and heel when I tell you to?"
"I don't know." She flashed a deadly smile. "Can you walk around the city after I break your leg in two places?"
My mouth twitched. "You'll need to stay hidden. Your aura is less visible, but it's still there. I don't want him to notice you."
A light snow began to fall, delicate drops landing on our clothes and hair.
"I have no problems defending —"
"I'm meeting him as an Aquidae. My only objective is convincing him I'm one of them. If we spot you, I have to look like I want to hurt you." I gently brushed a flake off her brow. "That's something I'd like to avoid."
Worry briefly flickered across her face. But it disappeared as quickly as the snow melting on her coat.
"Fine. So what's next, Lieutenant?"
I wondered if her concern was for the investigation or me.
"We wait."
TWO
The purple velvet sofa enveloped me like a throne.
Reclining on the plush upholstery, I stretched my legs and observed tonight's setting.
An assortment of clientele packed the two levels of Inferno, a club in the Meatpacking District of the West Village.
Giddy young models enjoyed their first taste of city nightlife. New Jersey players with money to burn came for a wild night on the other side of the Hudson. A few B-list actors and musicians lounged, accompanied by the usual bullshit entourage of hanger-ons and wannabes.
House music pulsed with a hypnotic beat. Red splashes of light painted the walls and floor,
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