Read Online Heroes of Falledge Book One: Black Hellebore by Nicole Zoltack - Free Book Online

a meal too, I reckon?"
    He grinned. That sounded more like the Ginny he knew and loved. "Of course. Something meaty. And a salad, too."
    She cocked her head. "Didn't take you for liking rabbit food."
    Nicholas wasn't entirely sure why he had insisted on salad. He preferred meat and potatoes. Of course, he wasn't a picky eater and often had to make do with little or less than desirable food options. When the choice was something barely edible versus going hungry, he'd eat just about anything.
    He guided them back to his bike, and he walked both it and her back to her house. They entered her small home.
    "Go on upstairs and get yourself one of Sean's shirts. You need a shirt. And then you rest." She nodded to the couch. "I'll start dinner."
    He found a black shirt. It fit better than most of his clothes. Although he wasn't the least bit tired, Nicholas returned downstairs and sprawled out on the couch. More than anything, he wanted to see Justina, but his guilt over kissing Julianna prevented him from dreaming.

Chapter Ten
    The scent of food woke him. From the twilight coming through the front window, he realized he hadn't slept long. A large spread of meat and vegetables, and a salad, graced the table, one plate already filled with food. The other place held a piece of paper: Nick, eat up. I'll be back soon. –Ginny
    Yeah, okay, like he was going to let her walk anywhere by herself after what had just happened. Shaking his head at her brazenness, he hurried out the front door. Taking a deep breath, he could almost swear he smelled her lilac scent to the east. With hardly any effort, he found himself running past houses and buildings, and Ginny, too. He had to back up a few blocks to be by her side.
    She blinked at him and laughed. "My hero."
    Nicholas bowed, staring at the broken cement longer than necessary to ensure his features did not reveal his fright. He wasn't sure what was happening to him, why he was so unbelievably fast, why his senses seemed heightened. When he was certain he was in control, he straightened and smiled. "Just doing my job. Where are we off to?"
    "While you were sleeping, I called the police to report the crime. It's just as well that you're here because we'll both have to file a report."
    He gulped. Wonderful. That meant Julianna.
    He fell into step beside her. Had to consciously slow down his strides so he could walk with her.
    "Why do you look like your pet died? Don't you like Julianna?"
    The woman was too shrew for her own good. "Don't meddle," he growled.
    "I told you to eat first. I take it you didn't. All men are cranky when they're hungry." She tsked.
    "And all women are interfering, troublesome gossips who have nothing better to do than--"
    "Watch it, young man, or I'll turn you out on the street." They stopped for traffic, and she stared at him. "You kept saying her name as you slept."
    "Justina," he murmured.
    "No. Julianna."
    Nicholas coughed in a vain attempt to loosen the sudden tightness in his chest.
    "Fine. If you don't want to talk about it, we won't." They walked in silence for a few more blocks until she added, "I'm glad you found me. I was ready to turn around and come back home to wake you."
    Ginny was a proud woman. For her to admit this said volumes, but if she thought her sharing would get him to as well, she wasn't as smart as she liked to think. He nodded in response but said nothing.
    A minute later, they climbed the steps to the small station. He held the door open for her.
    Julianna was the only one there. She jumped up from her desk and quickly ushered Ginny into a back room, not bothering to spare a glance his way. Which suited Nicholas just fine.
    He sat down in her chair since it looked slightly more comfortable than the ones provided for guests. Closing his eyes, he willed himself to sleep, to see Justina.
    There she was, tapping her foot, her arms crossed, her eyes glowing. "Well?"
    "Well what?" Nick laughed. She often expected him to know exactly what she was