Eliza Gayle Witch Bundle (paranormal romance), Eliza Gayle [books suggested by bill gates txt] 📗

sooner than she'd wanted because of Denn. Damn, he was one nosy man. He'd seemed on the verge of figuring it out.

She wistfully looked over at the pay phone attached to the corner of the building. One quick call to check on Cash. Find out if he was awake. Maybe hear his voice one last time. Just to reassure herself…

No!

She left her bike and her thoughts to go inside the ancient gas station to pay for her gas and find something cool to wet her parched throat.

The little bells attached to the door handle tinkled, announcing her arrival inside the small but familiar store. Being on the run always had her off the beaten path stopping at small mom and pop type places like this. She could find what she needed without worrying about the technology of the modern world finding her here. Damn, her head hurt. The tension reached an unbearable level.

She took the food and drinks she'd picked out to the counter where she was greeted by an elderly woman with a soft smile. Selene watched her ring up the purchase with strong, sure hands that looked to have seen plenty of work but were now curved with arthritis.

“$33.61 is the total, honey.”

Selene peeled some bills from the roll she clutched in her hand, giving them over to the woman. When the woman handed the change back to her, she covered both the money and her hand with her own.

“Such a pretty young girl, but the sad eyes tell a different story. You are living far beyond your years. It's time to stop running and take a stand.”

Selene jerked her hand from underneath the woman's. A small hum of residual power tickled her skin.

“With balance comes a great power, when the four are combined it will be to defeat the greatest evil.”

“Uh, what did you say?”

“You don't trust in much, but there is one you can trust.” The woman pressed a small key on a chain in to her hand. “You need to rest. This key is for Room Seven in the small motel out back. Get some sleep.” Selene started to protest and hand the key back to her. “No. Take it. You will be safe there. Trust me.”

Selene almost snorted at that. Running 101—trust no one.

Still… She had to admit she was exhausted and desperately tired. Maybe a few hours would do her some good. She took a deep breath, letting loose of some of the shields she surrounded herself with long enough to study her stranger’s aura. The woman's intentions were pure and strong. She meant her no harm. Just the opposite. She seemed genuinely concerned.

Selene relaxed. “Just for a few hours.” The woman smiled at her. She turned and reached behind her, grabbing a bottle of tequila from the shelf and bagged it up.

“This, too. You look like you could enjoy it.”

Selene laughed then, surprised at the intuitiveness of this stranger. “You're probably right about that.” She accepted the bag. “Thank you.”

“No thanks. Just rest. Things will be different tomorrow, I promise.”

She shook her head at the woman but didn't respond. No need to tell her that despite her generosity, she would leave in the morning and continue to run.

After stashing her Busa so that it wouldn't be seen, she slid the key into the lock of Room Seven. She'd been surprised when she'd caught sight of the motel sitting back behind the station. The building didn't look any newer than the store out front, but with a fresh coat of adobe red paint and some recently potted flowers next to each door, all eight units had a homey flavor. It was a welcome she didn't realize she had needed.

The interior was as simple as the outside with just a queen-sized bed, nightstand, and small wardrobe in the corner as the only furnishings. She set her things down on the nightstand and contemplated whether she wanted to sleep or shower first. She bent to remove her leather boots, loosening the tight laces before removing them. She then slid her jeans down her legs and stepped out of them.

Selene looked at the bag with the tequila and decided a drink was just what the doctor ordered. She padded into the bathroom to look for a glass or cup she could use. The bathroom looked as simple as the rest of the room. She reached for the cups wrapped in plastic on the counter and caught sight of the tub.

Oh, God.

There in the corner stood the largest white claw foot tub she'd ever seen in her life. She moved closer, making her mind up instantly that she had to soak in that tub before she went to sleep. She turned the faucets on, watching the tub slowly fill with swirling warm water. She hurried back out to the room, checking the lock on the door before grabbing up the alcohol and carrying it to the bathroom with her.

With little finesse she stripped the remainder of her clothes from her body, tossing them to the floor. She sank down in the tub with a deep sigh as the heated water flowed over her skin, warming her to the bone. Her eyes slid closed. She couldn't remember the last time she'd allowed herself such a luxury.

Long minutes later she reached for the bag containing her drink. When her hand reached inside to pull it out she touched something unexpected. A piece of paper? Her fingers gripped the edge. No, it was thicker than paper. She pulled it out of the bag, realizing it was a card. A Tarot card? What the—?

She didn't know much about Tarot, but she recognized the pentacle on the face of the card and the roman numerals for ten. The Ten of Pentacles. She flipped it over and over looking for something that might give her a clue as to why the woman in the store would have given her this card. What could it signify? After a few minutes of studying it,