Adam’s skin, and second, that he was annoyed by the doorbell and that Adam should do something about
it.
“Would you like me to tell them to go away?” Adam asked.
“Since my servant is away, thank you,” Drake said. Adam stood and pressed the button for the
elevator intercom.
“Grand Magician Drake is not accepting guests this evening.” When he lifted his thumb off the
button, the only sound to come through the speaker was a barrage of barking. He looked to Drake who
immediately ran his diamond around the rim of his glass. The crystal glass sang out that clear, resonant
note that directly precedes shattering. A fresh round of barking drowned out the sound.
Adam turned back, in bewilderment, to the speaker.
“I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” As he spoke Adam heard Drake’s glass shatter.
“Don’t send him away!” Drake ran from the patio and slammed his hand onto the oval button that
started the elevator moving up. Adam stepped back from Drake, baffled by the sudden reversal. Drake
smiled at him in what looked like a feeble attempt at reassurance. “I believe I know that dog.”
Drake pulled the front door open and lunged into the foyer. The lighted display above the elevator
indicated the car had reached the tenth floor, then the eleventh.
Drake’s expression was one Adam had never seen outside a movie theater—a sort of agony of hope.
Adam’s only thought was that Drake was not the sort of man who he’d imagined as having such an
intensely emotional relationship with a dog, and by the sound of the bark, a small one. He could see Drake
having affection for an albino python, maybe, or a raven. But to Adam, love of a cuddly pooch did not jibe
with Drake’s spider-shaped ring. The thought that he might have judged another man’s character on fashion
accessories alone generated a grimy, shallow shame in Adam. Briefly, the notion crossed Adam’s mind that
the dog was inhabited, but by who?
An ex-lover? Certainly the expression on Drake’s face communicated the importance of the dog,
whoever it was.
Whoever it was, he wouldn’t be happy to find Adam here, certainly.
This evening should be over, he thought, and aloud he said, “Perhaps I should go,” but the grand
magician didn’t answer.
Above the elevator the number thirteen lit up and the doors slid open.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
It’s all about the story…
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Mainstream
Mystery/Suspense
Non-Fiction
Paranormal
Red Hots!
Romance
Science Fiction
Western
Young Adult
www.samhainpublishing.com
Document Outline
Tatterdemalion
Anah Crow and Dianne Fox
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
About the Author
No trust without truth.
Many Roads Home
© 2009 Ann Somerville
The only way to break free is to let go.
Lynx
© 2010 Joely Skye
Desire. Destruction. Destiny.
Ghost Star Night
© 2009 Nicole Kimberling
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
It’s all about the story…
Action/Adventure
Fantasy
Historical
Horror
Mainstream
Mystery/Suspense
Non-Fiction
Paranormal
Red Hots!
Romance
Science Fiction
Western
Young Adult
www.samhainpublishing.com