Read Online Into the Dark (The Conjurors) by Kristen Pham - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Kristen Pham
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ourselves, but thank you for your generous hospitality,” Thai responded.
“As you wish.”
Chisisi left, and Thai exclaimed, “I’m pretty sure that Chisisi guy rolled his eyes at me!”
But Valerie was already out on the balcony, and the view took her breath away in a way that she thought nothing ever could after seeing Stonehenge. In the distance, three tall pyramids were silhouetted against the pink and gold skies of sunset. Even from miles away, their dark, heavy presence was both imposing and intriguing. What secret passages and forgotten stories lay under the weight of those boulders? The thought of unlocking those mysteries sent a shiver of fear and excitement through her body.
Valerie sensed that she was not alone. She turned around and saw that Thai had stepped out on the balcony, but he looked as if he had totally forgotten his indignation at Chisisi. He was looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time, and he smiled. It was the first time she had seen him smile, and she suddenly felt several degrees warmer.
Thai’s eyes turned from Valerie to the scene before them. “This trip keeps getting more and more incredible. The view is like something out of a movie,” he said.
“It’s beyond any adventure I ever imagined,” Valerie whispered. She turned to look at him and found that he was already staring at her with his intense eyes, though they seemed softer now. She had the overwhelming desire to step closer and see if he really smelled like vanilla and cookies, like she remembered.
“You were pretty amazing back at Stonehenge, you know,” Thai said.
Unexpectedly, butterflies erupted in her stomach. “Not what you expected from a 15-year-old kid you had to babysit?”
“I barely know you, but I’m going to miss you, Valerie.”
The butterflies in her stomach fluttered harder, as if they were fighting for their freedom. Why was she reacting this way? She needed to get a grip. Her nerves made her feel lightheaded, and she hoped she wouldn’t faint again in front of Thai. Once was more than embarrassing enough. Finally, she managed, “We’ll still be friends. I can come back – just not in person.”
“Yeah, but from the fighting talent I’ve seen, you’ll be busy!”
“It won’t be the same as being here for real though,” Valerie said thoughtfully. Thai’s stomach grumbled loudly, and they both laughed. “We’d better get food in you, quick!”
“I think we can arrange that!” Cyrus said loudly, startling them both. They turned around, and saw him staring that them with a strange look on his face. Valerie wondered how long he had been watching them.
Someone knocked loudly on the door, and Thai answered. Chisisi greeted them with a quick nod. “Come with me. A feast has been specially prepared for you!”
“Chisisi, it’s too much! We can’t possibly accept,” Valerie said.
“Nonsense, your benefactor would be insulted if you refused his hospitality.”
“At least let us say thank you to him or her, then.”
“No, his identity is confidential. Enjoy it. Now stay by me and we’ll avoid all the tourists. No one will bother you.”
Chisisi gave them a mini tour on the way to the restaurant, pointing out certain pieces of art and explaining their significance. The restaurant was as grand as the rest of the hotel, complete with high arches, beautifully painted screens, and lanterns that cast a golden glow over the restaurant. Chisisi led them to a secluded booth with crimson velvet draperies surrounding three sides of it.
Valerie and Thai didn’t even have to order. Chisisi oversaw the entire meal, selecting each dish personally. Most of them were exotic. Valerie had never tasted food so delicious, her tongue reveling in the many-flavored delicacies. Her favorite was a delicate mint tea that made her tongue tingle, and something Chisisi called
“As you wish.”
Chisisi left, and Thai exclaimed, “I’m pretty sure that Chisisi guy rolled his eyes at me!”
But Valerie was already out on the balcony, and the view took her breath away in a way that she thought nothing ever could after seeing Stonehenge. In the distance, three tall pyramids were silhouetted against the pink and gold skies of sunset. Even from miles away, their dark, heavy presence was both imposing and intriguing. What secret passages and forgotten stories lay under the weight of those boulders? The thought of unlocking those mysteries sent a shiver of fear and excitement through her body.
Valerie sensed that she was not alone. She turned around and saw that Thai had stepped out on the balcony, but he looked as if he had totally forgotten his indignation at Chisisi. He was looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time, and he smiled. It was the first time she had seen him smile, and she suddenly felt several degrees warmer.
Thai’s eyes turned from Valerie to the scene before them. “This trip keeps getting more and more incredible. The view is like something out of a movie,” he said.
“It’s beyond any adventure I ever imagined,” Valerie whispered. She turned to look at him and found that he was already staring at her with his intense eyes, though they seemed softer now. She had the overwhelming desire to step closer and see if he really smelled like vanilla and cookies, like she remembered.
“You were pretty amazing back at Stonehenge, you know,” Thai said.
Unexpectedly, butterflies erupted in her stomach. “Not what you expected from a 15-year-old kid you had to babysit?”
“I barely know you, but I’m going to miss you, Valerie.”
The butterflies in her stomach fluttered harder, as if they were fighting for their freedom. Why was she reacting this way? She needed to get a grip. Her nerves made her feel lightheaded, and she hoped she wouldn’t faint again in front of Thai. Once was more than embarrassing enough. Finally, she managed, “We’ll still be friends. I can come back – just not in person.”
“Yeah, but from the fighting talent I’ve seen, you’ll be busy!”
“It won’t be the same as being here for real though,” Valerie said thoughtfully. Thai’s stomach grumbled loudly, and they both laughed. “We’d better get food in you, quick!”
“I think we can arrange that!” Cyrus said loudly, startling them both. They turned around, and saw him staring that them with a strange look on his face. Valerie wondered how long he had been watching them.
Someone knocked loudly on the door, and Thai answered. Chisisi greeted them with a quick nod. “Come with me. A feast has been specially prepared for you!”
“Chisisi, it’s too much! We can’t possibly accept,” Valerie said.
“Nonsense, your benefactor would be insulted if you refused his hospitality.”
“At least let us say thank you to him or her, then.”
“No, his identity is confidential. Enjoy it. Now stay by me and we’ll avoid all the tourists. No one will bother you.”
Chisisi gave them a mini tour on the way to the restaurant, pointing out certain pieces of art and explaining their significance. The restaurant was as grand as the rest of the hotel, complete with high arches, beautifully painted screens, and lanterns that cast a golden glow over the restaurant. Chisisi led them to a secluded booth with crimson velvet draperies surrounding three sides of it.
Valerie and Thai didn’t even have to order. Chisisi oversaw the entire meal, selecting each dish personally. Most of them were exotic. Valerie had never tasted food so delicious, her tongue reveling in the many-flavored delicacies. Her favorite was a delicate mint tea that made her tongue tingle, and something Chisisi called
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