Read Online Defy the Dark by Saundra Mitchell - Free Book Online

rather die than be looked down on for being a candy-ass flutist!”
    Cado knew that the truth hurt, but he’d never felt its jagged claws rip into him before.
    He fished out his cell and pressed the number three nine times. When Patricia realized what he was doing, she tried to bat the phone out of his hands, shocked that he even knew what to dial.
    â€œWait!” She grabbed his wrist before he could press SEND . “This isn’t a game, Cado. Why can’t you understand that? Sometimes people prank call that number, just to see what will happen, and then they don’t show up to take the ride. So the trolley pulls up in front of their homes and gets them.”
    Cado knew that Porterenes were scared of the night trolley, but seeing that fear on Patricia’s face frightened him in a way all her talk had not.
    â€œIf you call,” she said, her icy fingers digging into his flesh, “it will come for you.”
    â€œAnd take me to another world? You said I could make it in any world. I believe you. Even if you don’t really believe in me.”
    He pressed SEND .
    Patricia’s hands flew to her mouth as if to stopper a scream.
    â€œNight trolley.” The bored, sexless voice was decidedly unfrightening.
    â€œThis is Cado McCoy.” He took a deep breath. “I need a ride.”
    â€œIt’s a dollar, one way.”
    Cado said firmly, “This’ll be round trip.”
    â€œThis stop, three a.m.,” said the voice. “Don’t be late.”
    After he put his phone away, Patricia said, “Do you realize what you’ve done?” She couldn’t look at him, her hands still covering the lower half of her face.
    â€œI’m not afraid—”
    â€œBecause you’re an idiot!”
    â€œâ€”of the trolley,” Cado continued calmly. “But knowing you don’t have any more faith in me than I do”—he touched Patricia’s face—“now, that’s scary.”
    Â 
    C ado had meant to rest before his otherworldly appointment, but it was impossible. Mr. Markham kept coming in to check that he was still in the guest room and not lolling sexily in Patricia’s bed. When the door opened for the fifth time, Cado threw his pillow at it. “Dammit, Mr. Markham, I’m—”
    But it wasn’t him.
    Patricia snuggled next to Cado, her gown soft, but not as soft as her body through the gown. Her feet curled around his ankles. She must tiptoe across the backs of geese and the tops of clouds to keep such velvet skin.
    â€œIf I were nicer,” she whispered, “you wouldn’t be doing this, would you?”
    He brushed his thumb over the tip of her nose. “You’re the nicest girl I know.”
    â€œI’m not nice! I wish I had a dungeon so that I could throw you into it and chain you up until this madness leaves you.”
    â€œWould it be weird if I said that sounds like fun?”
    His alarm went off, and he had to leave Patricia’s embrace to shut it off. He turned on the lamp and got dressed.
    Patricia threw back the covers and held out her arms. “Come back to bed.” Her nightie wasn’t black, but sunset-colored, like the daylilies she hadn’t wanted. Her toes sparkled at him.
    â€œI refuse to be distracted by your body right now,” Cado said, lacing his Chucks. “But feel free to distract me with it tomorrow.”
    â€œWhat tomorrow?” she said bitterly, and then with an equally bitter resolve climbed out of bed. “I’m coming with you.”
    â€œNo way.”
    â€œWhy not? We’re the Bonnie and Clyde of the classical music world, and they died together in a car—we’ll die together on a trolley. I’d prefer a private jet or a yacht, but I’ll take what I can get.”
    â€œIt doesn’t count if I bring a brave kick-ass girl to hide behind. I have to do this on my own.”
    â€œYou’re taking your