Silver at Midnight: A Paranormal Romance Urban Fantasy (The Keepers of Knowledge Series Book 5) by Bridgette O'Hare (best large ereader .TXT) 📕

Once I watched a Werewolf tackle Gargoyle Guy through a window at the back, I knew I had my exit strategy, I memorized the pathway through the chaos, and I let the time pause loose.

Without delay, I dodged the first obstacle—a Sphynx taking down a Merfolk who then hurdled over what appeared to be an alligator. Shifters came in all shapes and sizes, I supposed. I tried to time it so I arrived at the window just after Wolfie and Gargoyle Guy crashed through. I was about one second off, so I had to spin around a Mimic barreling straight at me. Only, I didn’t realize he was heading straight for me because a Vamp had thrown him in my direction. I pummeled square into him, but he caught me before I tripped over a broken chair.

“You good?” he asked, setting me upright?

I nodded. “Aye, thanks.”

He smiled and moved forward to continue his altercation. I made a direct route for the now open window and carefully climbed onto the table next to it, then hopped through, and landed on the sidewalk just as Dex rounded the corner merely a few feet from me. We locked eyes and he shot me a wickedly amused grin.

He was about to speak when a Banshee wail pierced the night air and everyone around me dropped to their knees, covering their ears. It was deafening to the point of covering my ears as everyone else had, but somehow it didn’t take me down in horrific pain like it did most. I promptly swished my fingers in an upward motion and spoke the command Cian had taught me that was needed to surround myself, as well as Dex and his friend, in silence—the Bulletproof Bubble . . . still yet to be tested, by the way. It was also handy to keep any rogue brawlers at bay. I should have thought of it while walking through the chaos. But it was still new to me.

Dex and his friend shook their heads like they were shaking the sound out and stood.

“Well, that’s a neat little trick. Beautiful and talented. But do you cause this kind of commotion everywhere you go?” Dex jabbed.

“Commotion? This is just a casual Tuesday night. Also, you’re welcome,” I fired back.

“Well, now I sure as hell want to see what a wild night out looks like for you. We should make that happen,” Dex winked, and the corner of his lips curled up in a devilish grin.

“People keep telling me curiosity kills the cat, I don’t know how many lives you have left, Dex. I’m guessing you’re getting pretty low,” I quipped, then looked to his friend and extended a hand. “Hi, I’m Aish, by the way. I won’t judge you on your friend’s lack of manners.”

“Ellio,” he replied as he took my hand. “Nice to meet you.”

He seemed a little quiet and kept staring at me with a goofy smile. He was cute.

“Say . . . does this thing keep out more than sound? Like, does it make us invisible?” Dex asked, looking around.

“I’ll never tell,” I teased. “Why?”

“Well, because I think we’re about to get busted,” he added, nodding in the direction behind me. From a few blocks away, red and blue lights illuminated the sky though the cars themselves had yet to come into view, but they were heading in our direction.

“Crap,” I spat. “You guys go, ya shouldn’t take the heat for something ya didn’t even participate in. Though—” I cut my eyes back at Dex. “I’m fairly sure betting is illegal.”

“No money exchanged hands, right, Ellio?” Dex claimed.

“Yet,” Ellio glared at him.

I chuckled. “You’ll never see that money, will ya?” I asked Ellio.

He shook his head.

The sirens grew closer. “You guys should go,” I insisted and lowered the protective shield.

“And leave you behind?” Dex questioned.

“Meh . . . I know the owner. Besides, small town. Fairly sure I’m the first one Vamp Girl is goin’ t’ try t’ throw under the bus. Best if I stop the bus myself first.” I started walking toward the front of the tavern. “I’ll see ya around,” I said to Dex over my shoulder. “Nice t’ meet ya, Ellio,” I added, and I disappeared around the corner just as I heard Dex call out.

“Martyr,” he yelled.

I laughed just as I hit what seemed like a brick wall. A brick wall clad in a burgundy pullover and khakis. “I’m so sorry,” I bumbled as I regained my balance and looked up to find a pair of familiar hazel eyes locked on me.

“Happy t’ have ya run int’ me any time ya want,” Darek beamed.

“Oh, hey. Umm . . . I . . . I should’ve been looking where I was goin’.” I wasn’t sure what to say. I had known I’d have to face Darek at some point, I was just trying to postpone it.

“Aish. Yer about t’ start ramblin’.” He smiled and reached out like he was about to brush a hair from my cheek, then pulled back and shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “Look. I know this is awkward. And no matter what we say about not wantin’ it t’ be . . . it’s still goin’ t’ be awkward because one of us wants more than the other can offer. So, how about we jus’ try t’ make it through the next few days until I leave? Whaddaya say?”

I bobbed my head. “I think we can manage that.”

While I’d not deny I felt something for him, the last few days had proven to me that whatever existed between me and Darek could never compare to the connection I had with Cian.

“I want ya t’ be happy, ya know that, right?”

“I want the same for you, Darek. It’s all I wanted for ya when I walked away.”

A slight huff escaped under his breath as a half-smile emerged. “Not as easy as one might think in my position. But I will be content knowin’ yer happy. Cian is