The Book Waitress (Book 1, The Book Waitress Series) by Deena Remiel Page A

to go . Not a word did she utter as they took each step up the stairs and toward the sofa and chairs in the reading lounge . He sat her down next to him.
    “First, tell me where this book came from.”
    “ Betina or John put it in on a table for me to find. It’s one of a set. ”
    “The ghosts?”
    “Yes, one of them put it on the table opened to page 335. You should read that page, too. It talks about ritual sacrifice. It’s rather interesting and horrific at the same time. Your suspicions about a pattern are right . This particular cult is looking for a male child of six years every six years to sacrifice. He must have the Mark of the Damned to be considered. ”
    “Have you always had that mark by your, uh … ?” He pointed to her breast.
    “Yes, and I never gave it a second thought until now. Should I be glad I’m not a boy? ” She threw that needling question out into the ethos , her color returning to her face.
    “I’m a bit concerned, I don’t mind saying.”
    “ I am, too, a little. The likeness shocked me, but my fear is most likely paranoia . O n its own, it doesn’t look like much to me. I mean I always thought it looked somewhat like an eye, b ut after seeing it in the Devil’s Handbook, of course it now looks just like it . All these years I’d thought it to be a simple birthmark. Now, this picture tells me I’m not the only one to have it, and that I’m one of the Marked Ones. What the hell am I supposed to do about that? ”
    “How old are you? Please don’t be offended. It’s for professional reasons only.”
    “Twenty-four. Why?”
    “ Hmm. This year is a multiple of six for you. And you have the mark.”
    “But I’m a girl, Derek. Do you really think I somehow factor into this craziness?”
    “I’ m not sure yet, but I’m not liking the coincidence . And you, being fresh on the island . I need to know more about you and about this cult. Maybe I should start with this book. If one of your ghost friends thought it was important enough to show you, there may be more inside that I should be reading.”
    “ Good point . But I’m still gone as soon as possible. This island creeped me out before I even stepped onto the ferry. Next time, I should trust my gut. Seems pretty damn accurate.”
    “What does your gut tell you about me?” He raised a brow.
    She blushed , bit her bottom lip, and turned away. “My gut tells me you’re a very nice guy who does interesting work and champions the downtrodden.”
    “Well, it should also be telling you that I ’ll do what I have to in order to keep you safe and out of harm’s way.”
    She gasped, raised her hand to her mouth as she held her breath , and then blurted out, “Did you know that pupils dilate the closer your face is to another’s?”
    “No, I didn’t. Fascinating. ” He cupped her chin and turned her to face him. “ Let me see .” He inched his way closer and closer still , peering steadily in to Camille’s eyes. Ever so slowly he moved toward her to catch the change in pupil size. “Well , I’ll be. They do. Wonder what happens to them when I kiss you.” With his heart pounding in his chest, he didn’t stop to think, he just acted on the impulse that had plagued him since he’d seen her. Leaning in the rest of the way , he placed a whisper of a kiss on her quivering lips.
    They were supple and tasted of berries , and their vulnerability nurtured an eagerness in him that would n’t be denied. How long had it been since he felt compelled to kiss a girl? Long enough not to remember. And when had he ever found anyone as intriguing as she? Never. Wanting to taste more of her sweetness, h e deepened the kiss, and feeling the need to protect, enclosed her in his arms . Her body tensed, but turned pliant and needful as she shifted impossibly closer to him. Her delicate hands slid about his waist and up his back , sending streaks of chills racing across his skin .
    Opening his eyes, h e rel eased her lips and leaned his