Monster (A Cassidy Edwards Novel - Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

strength. If he was stronger than me—and I had the sneaking suspicion that he just might be—I certainly didn’t want him to know it.
    After a moment, he let my hand go and moved to his desk.
    I nodded in satisfaction that he’d been the first one to move away, but the victory was a hollow one. He didn’t seem to care. And anyway, now I was more concerned with the fact that he’d deliberately used his sex appeal as a diversion tactic while trying to cast some kind of spell over me.
    He tapped a finger on the top of his desk. “One of the quickest detections I’ve ever seen in a candidate. Your affinity for mana is finely tuned,” he stated with a clinical detachment. “Incredibly so. Are the Damned adept in sensing traps as well? I could use a good Spell-finder. As it happens, I’ve an immediate need for one.”
    I didn’t answer him. Spell-finder? Definitely not in the realm of my job experience.
    He didn’t notice my lack of response. He just continued. “And you’re obviously handy with a knife, but what of other skills?” His eyes glittered, turning full force on me again. “Your attack on me in the mall—what technique did you employ? I know it was an ability. I’m a warlock, after all.”
    Still peeved, I shoved my knife back into my boot. “You’re mistaken. I did nothing,” I lied. I wasn’t about to tell him that I’d just been going for a snack, and he’d been a bit too tasty to pass up. “The mall was crowded. You’ve obviously confused me with someone else.”
    He wasn’t buying it, but it was my turn not to care.
    “It’s too late for you now,” he said evenly. “You really have no choice but to accept my protection. I’m your only sanctuary. The Terzi don’t suffer failures.” He opened a desk drawer and began shuffling through it.
    I joined him at the desk. This guy clearly had a Terzi hang-up. It was a weak spot I could potentially exploit. I needed to find out more about these Terzi, but something told me it wouldn’t be as easy as an internet search.
    Lucian pulled a piece of parchment out of the drawer and waved his hand across it.
    As I watched, a beautiful flowing script appeared on the page as if written by an invisible hand. The writing continued line-by-line, and the page was half full before it stopped.
    He had to be using mana. But strangely, again, I couldn’t smell it.
    Why not?
    But I was distracted from a burgeoning panic as Lucian pushed the sheet across the desk with a single finger.
    I picked it up almost automatically. The moment my skin made contact, the writing began again. Entranced, I watched as my name appeared in a wobbly script completely at odds with the beautiful writing above it.

I, Cassidy Edwards, agree to a trial period of one mission   only   with the option of renewal upon completion. All expenses to be paid by Lord Lucian Rowle Industries, Ltd. and remuneration to be delivered to me, Cassidy Edwards, in the form of hitherto unknown information regarding the Chosen One named Emilio Marchesi and also substantial monies to be paid directly into an account accessible only by me, Cassidy Edwards.
    Upon seeing Emilio’s name appear, I almost dropped the paper. But I didn’t. Perhaps my life wouldn’t have changed so drastically if I had . But call it destiny, foolishness, or both, I read on:
For said mission, I will act as the Lord Lucian Rowle’s exclusive Spell-finder and shall not engage in any other contracts until said mission has been satisfactorily executed. In return, the Lord Lucian Rowle and/or his successor(s) will offer me his/their complete protection and remuneration as described above.
    There were several ink spots at the end, as if the invisible fountain pen had malfunctioned, and my name appearing on the bottom right corner was downright crooked. Next to Lucian’s magnificently swirling unintelligible scrawl, my section of the page looked like some child’s first crude attempt at writing cursive.
    With a deepening frown,