DARK QUEST (Sample)

Chapter Twenty Seven

She finished placing the middle aged man's order on his table before and he thanked her and she offered him a smile and left. She returned with the empty tray to the bar, placed it on counter and sat on a high stool with a deep sigh. The bartender stared at her as he cleaned out glass cups. He was a man in his late forties, called Tony and also the owner of the little diner but was like a father to Evelyn and was awfully nice. "Having a rough day?" He asked with a look of concern. "You could take the night off, you need some rest after what happened to you."

Evelyn gave him a look. "I got shot more than a month ago and I don't even remember the pain or what happened to the arsehole who shot me."

"He wound up dead in that alley, didn't anyone tell you?" When Evelyn's eyes widened in small shock, he added. "Your vampire friend must have sucked him dry... I'd be careful with him if I were you, vampires are no good, more people turn up dead in the street these days, especially young girls like yourself."

She sighed again and drew invisible circles on the tray with her finger. "I know Jason... he is different from the others, he wouldn't hurt me."

Tony smiled. "You sound so dreamy already. I'm beginning to have a certain feeling that it is more than what meets the eye."

"What are you insinuating?" She asked curiously, biting back a smile.

"You like this new friend of yours don't you?" Tony slung the rag over his shoulder and placed both hands against the edge of the counter. "You practically glow when you talk about him... He's got you hooked, huh?"

Just talking about Jason made her stomach flutter even though she hadn't seen him for weeks. It was as if he was avoiding her. "It's really not what you think." She turned away her flushed face from him.

"Yea, right...I know that glow when I see one. You had the same when Ramsey asked you out." Tony said.

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Should have heeded to your advice and stayed away from the jerk... He turned out not to be worth it after all."

Tony shrugged. "It's a good thing you are no longer with him but that does not mean that you could go running into the arms of a vampire... I wouldn't advice that either. I'd rather you stick to that arsehole who was once your boyfriend than with a blood lusting vampire that'll make a meal outta you."

"You sound so judgmental already, Tony." Evelyn whined. "It's hard to get him out of my head when all I do is think about him all day and see him in my dreams at night."

Tony chuckled. "That, I can't explain, Missy."

"Now, tell me, isn't that dude exceptionally mouthwatering?" One of the waitresses, Jen asked as she leaned her back against the counter, facing the door. Tony and Evelyn turned to face the door and there stood Nigel backing the door. He remained there, scanning the diner until his eyes settled on Evelyn. "This one is mine." Jen said mirthfully to them and hurried to meet Nigel who was already going to an empty table to sit down.

Evelyn felt uncomfortable. She turned back to stare blankly at Tony, thoughtfully. She had felt so cold when Nigel's eyes had settled on her like the hand of something sinister which she couldn't figure out was crawling up her spine. She swallowed hard and turned slightly to look at Nigel over her shoulder. He was looking up at Jen who was talking to him with her pen and pad in her hand and the situation looked more like she was flirting than trying to take his order.

Evelyn had never seen Nigel before but she had a particular strange connection to him, not as strong as the one she had for Jason but almost close to it. She was pulled towards him in a strange way that left her puzzled. She took out his features. He was almost pale from lack of sun, he was tall and had a dangerous rugged look about him and his smile was just an additional blessing to his handsome look which could make any woman swoon.