Read Online Timeless (Pandora Book 1) by Kali Argent - Free Book Online Page B

upstairs for coffee and toast had been nearly impossible.
    “I didn’t sleep.” He took the tall mug of coffee she handed him with a nod.
    “Is everything okay?”
    “You’re in no danger.”
    “Okay.” That hadn’t been what she’d meant, and he knew it. All morning, he’d seemed different, distant, and for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out why. “Vane, did I do something wrong?”
    The corner of his eye twitched, and he shifted on the barstool. “No.”
    “Fine, don’t talk to me.” Something had changed. She could feel it the same way she felt the warm ceramic of her mug against her palms. If he didn’t want to discuss it, though, she wouldn’t force him. “I’m going to take a shower and get dressed. I’m meeting a friend for brunch in an hour.”
    “No, you’re not.”
    “Um, yes.” Charli nodded. “I made plans with her a week ago, and besides, what do you expect me to do? Hide in my apartment until you find this demon thing?”
    Judging by the expression on his face, that was exactly what he expected from her. “It’s not safe, Charlotte. Please understand that. The Morph will use whatever means necessary to get to you, so if you care for your friend, you’ll stay away from her.”
    She hadn’t considered that, but now that he’d pointed it out, she felt foolish for not thinking of it first. “I’m not very good at this, am I?”
    The first genuine smile she’d seen from him all morning stretched Vane’s lips. “It’s not every day you have to worry about being kidnapped by a shape-shifting demon from another planet. I think you can cut yourself a little slack.”
    “Can I ask you something?”
    “You just did.”
    Charli ignored him. “How do you know English?” She’d taken French language courses in high school, but not much of it had stayed with her. “Do you know any other languages?”
    “I know a few, not many, but English, as you call it, is my native tongue. Your race has added words and changed the meaning of others during the course of evolution, but it’s largely still the same.”
    “Wait.” Shaking her head, Charli pushed away from the counter and moved to join him at the bar. “Are you saying that the Nekros brought the language to Earth? What about the others, like Spanish, French, and Italian?”
    “The Atreans’ language is similar to your Latin, and the Stravoris speak what I believe you call Hebrew. I don’t know what French and Spanish are, but the Crimnians brought the Italian language to Earth.”
    “No shit?” Charli found him utterly fascinating, but she tried to keep her questions to a minimum and not be a pest. “So, does any culture on Earth have a language of their own?” It made sense when she thought about it, and she wondered why she’d never considered the possibility before now. “Or is it all borrowed from other races?”
    “Pig Latin,” Vane answered with a neutral expression. “No one is claiming responsibility for that travesty.”
    “Hardy har.” Pulling her feet under her, Charli sat cross-legged on the barstool and straightened her spine, eager to hear more. “Okay, so are humans the youngest beings in the universe? I mean, we’re like babies, right?” She’d heard it said more than once in those bad sci-fi movies she liked to watch.
    “More like toddlers, but yes, still very young.” Vane winked at her before taking another sip of his coffee. “Anything else?”
    Pursing her lips, Charli tilted her head to the side while she thought about her next question. “Why were you so crabby earlier?”
    The muscles in his jaw flexed, and he looked away before answering. “I’m just tired. Time is different here, and it’s hard to adjust.”
    He’s lying . “Why don’t you rest now? You can borrow my bed, and I promise I’ll stay in the apartment.”
    “Maybe when Xavian returns.” His eyes strayed to the folded blankets and stacked pillows on the sofa. “Did he sleep here last night?”
    The sudden