Read Online Ebony Fight (The Guard Duet Book 2) by Natalie Herzer - Free Book Online Page A

polite greeting. “Hello.”
    The women continued talking over Sli’s head in a whisper. As if Sli wouldn’t be able to hear that. Adults, typical. But then again, Sli didn’t really mind. She was sure that between the two of them, Thea and Melissa would give her all the information about this place she needed.
    Melissa was still curious to hear the other side of the how-did-you-end-up-here stories. “So, how about you?”
    “Nothing fancy, I’m afraid.” Thea shrugged next to her and chuckled. “My heart just stopped. One moment to the next.”
    That made Sli’s senses perk up. Taking a closer look at the proper Thea, dressed in cream colored ironed slacks and a blue blouse, Sli had to wonder. Maybe this woman was more than the eyes saw. Quite often people who died this particular way had a debt to pay…to Hell. Could it be that Thea had agreed to a deal without even realizing it, like so many others do? Sli knew that some demons had perfected their act into a work of art; as smooth as silk, and their victim often didn’t realize that they had just damned their soul.
    A loud gong , pulled Sli out of her musings.
    “Uh-oh,” Thea said. “They called in the Arbitrator.”
    “The Arbitrator?”
    “Yes, he has the final say.” She went on, whispering in that particular manner that sought attention and was easily heard. “Seems the interviewer is undecided what to do with that poor guy.”
    Out of nowhere a man suddenly appeared in front of the reception desk. Dressed in a black suit and crisp, white button-down, he looked very much like he belonged here. The receptionist didn’t blink an eye, but sat up even straighter – something Sli wouldn’t have thought possible. They exchanged a few words before she handed the man a file, which he only opened a hairbreadth before closing it again. Nodding his thanks sharply, the Arbitrator walked towards office number nine.
    Melissa’s voice was caught between amusement and wariness. “He looks very…”
    “Striking?”
    “Uptight.”
    “Oh,” Thea gasped, before shrugging it off and leaning in closer in conspiracy. Her voice lowered in hushed gossip. “Sally told me about him.” At her audience’s confused look, she added, “The receptionist. She said their boss upstairs was a bit disappointed in him for being implicated in a scandal involving an old co-worker and so he’s been stuck with this position ever since.”
    Co-worker? Sli was certain that Lucifer wouldn’t like being referred to as such.
    Thea went on, “He hasn’t gone on a holiday for ages, Sally said. Very diligent man. No vacations in years, can you believe-”
    She was interrupted by a sudden bang as the door of office number nine burst open and hit the glass wall. A man ran out, his eyes wild and frantic in their search for an escape.
    “What the heck?” Melissa exclaimed.
    Seeing no better option, the man ran along the row of offices. Once he reached the last office on the horizon even Sli was stunned when he reappeared on the right.
    Obviously, lost and confused at what had just happened, he stopped suddenly and looked around. His eyes were that of hunted prey; searching wildly, filled with utter panic and terror.
    The couple that had guarded the entrance front of the movie house walked up to him.
    The man begged, “No, you can’t send me there. I didn’t do anything.”
    Ignoring his plea, they picked him up under his arms and dragged him to the red carpet. Tears ran down his face as he kicked and screamed.
    Noticing movement out the corner of her eye, Sli turned her head slightly to see that the Arbitrator had come out of the office. As he watched the frantic man, Sli watched the Arbitrator.
    Diligent, Thea had said. Yes, he certainly looked it, with an extra dose of strict. Although his eyes showed something akin to pity, he held himself straight, almost regal actually, obviously in the belief that justice had been served.
    The Arbitrator moved his head abruptly and his gaze