Read Online Enemy Within (Vampire Born Trilogy, #2) by Angeline Kace - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Angeline Kace
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over it.
Richard continues, “We are willing to accept you if you play by our rules. You must serve the Društvo name with honor. You must keep your body clean for your providees, and you will follow the Društvo customs always, the Pijawika customs whenever in their presence.”
He surveys me, probably waiting for my acquiescence, but I have no idea what I’ll be agreeing to. I don’t know much about the Pijawikan customs, save that they want me dead and think the world of themselves. And all I know about the Društvos is that they serve the Pijawikas . . . with pride. But then, I guess they’d have to be okay with it to talk their future generations into following in their footsteps.
I regard Garwin, silently asking him to give me some indication on what I should do or say because I’m at a loss for words.
Keep my body pure? What does that mean? Am I supposed to not drink or do drugs? No problem there. It’s like I’m being inducted into a cult without any knowledge about what is truly expected from me, other than to serve as someone’s food source.
“She’ll do fine,” Garwin chimes in. “We’ll prepare her and get her up to speed on our practices.”
“Very well.” Richard nods and stands.
Garwin mirrors him and shakes his hand.
“We still need to figure out Brooke’s salary. Her predicament and the Tomics’ add a few kinks to what would normally be a straightforward arrangement. If everything goes well on Friday, I’ll get the paperwork started.”
“I understand,” Garwin says. “Thank you for your consideration and assistance.” Their voices fade as Garwin walks him out.
“Does that mean I get paid?” I whisper to my mom.
“Yes, honey. Although the terms still need to be settled.”
“Hmmm.” Well, if I have to do this, at least I’m getting something in return.
I turn my attention to Mirko but can’t get a read on him. He appears indifferent, and that bothers me. I know by now that there’s usually a storm underneath his calm exterior, but that knowledge doesn’t put me at ease. “What do you think about all this?”
“I think we have a lot to go over with you,” he replies as Garwin strolls back in. He takes his seat in his armchair. The leather crunches with his weight.
“Yes,” Garwin adds. “We only have today and tomorrow to prep you, so let’s get started. Now, you’ll be arriving at the Tomics for dinner to meet with them and get a feel if this arrangement will work between you. They’ll be evaluating you as much or more as you might be assessing them. It is crucial you pay attention to everything we tell you and act accordingly upon arrival.”
“Okay,” I drawl. Geez. It’s like I’m being prepped to go on a covert mission for the FBI.
“You’ll do just fine,” my mom assures me.
Garwin continues without missing a beat. “Make sure you bow when you meet them. More so for Mr. Tomic, and really only bowing to your shoulders for Mrs. Tomic. Drop your eyes in both cases, though. You’ll need to greet him first, and if you ask her a question, make sure to look at him at the end of it.”
“I have to bow? Whatever happened to a simple handshake?” This is ridiculous. Like I’ll ever be able to remember to bow, let alone how deep I should be bowing for him versus her, and all that other crap.
“The customs between Društvos and Pijawikas have remained stagnate for quite some time. Yes, it’s a bit different than what you’re used to, but important nonetheless.”
“More like archaic,” I mumble.
“There are a lot of nuances,” my mom says, “but soon it will all be a part of the role you’ll play. Think of it as a courtesy, as being a guest in their home. Oh, and you should compliment Mrs. Tomic on their home too, but tell Mr. Tomic how well it’s run.”
Garwin moves forward, as if reading from a list of dos and don’ts. “The men will get soups and the women will get salads. Don’t ask, just eat it.” I prefer soup to lettuce.
Richard continues, “We are willing to accept you if you play by our rules. You must serve the Društvo name with honor. You must keep your body clean for your providees, and you will follow the Društvo customs always, the Pijawika customs whenever in their presence.”
He surveys me, probably waiting for my acquiescence, but I have no idea what I’ll be agreeing to. I don’t know much about the Pijawikan customs, save that they want me dead and think the world of themselves. And all I know about the Društvos is that they serve the Pijawikas . . . with pride. But then, I guess they’d have to be okay with it to talk their future generations into following in their footsteps.
I regard Garwin, silently asking him to give me some indication on what I should do or say because I’m at a loss for words.
Keep my body pure? What does that mean? Am I supposed to not drink or do drugs? No problem there. It’s like I’m being inducted into a cult without any knowledge about what is truly expected from me, other than to serve as someone’s food source.
“She’ll do fine,” Garwin chimes in. “We’ll prepare her and get her up to speed on our practices.”
“Very well.” Richard nods and stands.
Garwin mirrors him and shakes his hand.
“We still need to figure out Brooke’s salary. Her predicament and the Tomics’ add a few kinks to what would normally be a straightforward arrangement. If everything goes well on Friday, I’ll get the paperwork started.”
“I understand,” Garwin says. “Thank you for your consideration and assistance.” Their voices fade as Garwin walks him out.
“Does that mean I get paid?” I whisper to my mom.
“Yes, honey. Although the terms still need to be settled.”
“Hmmm.” Well, if I have to do this, at least I’m getting something in return.
I turn my attention to Mirko but can’t get a read on him. He appears indifferent, and that bothers me. I know by now that there’s usually a storm underneath his calm exterior, but that knowledge doesn’t put me at ease. “What do you think about all this?”
“I think we have a lot to go over with you,” he replies as Garwin strolls back in. He takes his seat in his armchair. The leather crunches with his weight.
“Yes,” Garwin adds. “We only have today and tomorrow to prep you, so let’s get started. Now, you’ll be arriving at the Tomics for dinner to meet with them and get a feel if this arrangement will work between you. They’ll be evaluating you as much or more as you might be assessing them. It is crucial you pay attention to everything we tell you and act accordingly upon arrival.”
“Okay,” I drawl. Geez. It’s like I’m being prepped to go on a covert mission for the FBI.
“You’ll do just fine,” my mom assures me.
Garwin continues without missing a beat. “Make sure you bow when you meet them. More so for Mr. Tomic, and really only bowing to your shoulders for Mrs. Tomic. Drop your eyes in both cases, though. You’ll need to greet him first, and if you ask her a question, make sure to look at him at the end of it.”
“I have to bow? Whatever happened to a simple handshake?” This is ridiculous. Like I’ll ever be able to remember to bow, let alone how deep I should be bowing for him versus her, and all that other crap.
“The customs between Društvos and Pijawikas have remained stagnate for quite some time. Yes, it’s a bit different than what you’re used to, but important nonetheless.”
“More like archaic,” I mumble.
“There are a lot of nuances,” my mom says, “but soon it will all be a part of the role you’ll play. Think of it as a courtesy, as being a guest in their home. Oh, and you should compliment Mrs. Tomic on their home too, but tell Mr. Tomic how well it’s run.”
Garwin moves forward, as if reading from a list of dos and don’ts. “The men will get soups and the women will get salads. Don’t ask, just eat it.” I prefer soup to lettuce.
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