Stronger Than Blood by Julie Rollins

Author:Julie Rollins [Rollins, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gyroscope Books
Published: 2017-10-04T22:00:00+00:00

9. Cursed

Mark scratched his sweating neck. It was an unusually warm February, even for Southern California. He and his uncle strolled down the worn sidewalk toward Susan and Evelyn’s place. It was still half a block away now.

“We’ve been here about four months. You’d think it’d be easier for me, but I still slip into Ramatera every now and then.”

David laughed softly and nodded. “I remember having the same problem before I received my crealin.”

“Susan’s mom is one tough woman,” Mark whispered.

“She’d be dead by now if I hadn’t slowed her cancer. It will be a real challenge to help her last even two more weeks.”

Mark glanced up and down the street to make certain they were alone. “So, she wants us to deliver the info on the Coyote Cartel after she’s passed, and then we’ll take Susan away?”

“If Susan will come.” David turned toward Mark. “Soon you will have to throw caution to the wind and tell her about yourself. Perhaps today is the day.”

“And have her think I’m completely crazy? I’ll wait.”

They came to the apartment, and Susan let them in.

“Why don’t you two go for a walk?” David suggest to Mark.

Susan stepped out the door. “I’m ready. I need to get out of here for a few hours. We can grab lunch at Bob’s Bistro.”

Mark patted his right pocket. “I’ve got money. Let’s go.” He noticed he had something in his left pocket as well …

Tealin!

As they walked, Mark dipped a casual hand into the pocket to explore. Jointed legs met his fingers and tried to latch on. He deftly yanked out the creature and dropped it on the ground. Mark recognized the Aranian bug before he stomped it into oblivion.

“What was that?” Susan asked alarm.

“Just a bug.”

She made a face. “Yuck! Looks like it was huge! How did I miss seeing it on the sidewalk?”

Bob’s Bistro was within easy walking distance, but Mark had never been there.

“I hope you like Italian,” Susan said as she opened the door.

“Mmm, well, uh …”

Her face mirrored keen disappointment. “Great, now you tell me! I didn’t know you hated Italian.”

“I don’t hate Italian, I’ve just never tried it before.”

She laughed. “Never tried Italian? So, what planet did you come from?”

Mark was experienced enough now to not panic at her remark. Still, he blushed from the scene she made in the restaurant.

Susan still watched him intently. “If you don’t like it, all you have to say is—”

“Just let me try it, then I’ll tell you if I like it.”

They were seated at a red vinyl booth.

Mark sniffed the aromas of garlic, pasta, tomato sauces, and seasoned chicken. “You better order for me.”

For herself, Susan had a platter of chicken marinated in white wine with a side of angel hair pasta and pesto sauce. For Mark, she ordered plain spaghetti and meatballs with a tomato sauce. After the salads, the main dishes arrived together.

Mark stared at his plate. “Oh! I’ve had this before!” His eyes darted from Susan’s dish back to his own.

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