Shift of Time (A Rue Darrow Novel Book 1) by Audrey Claire Page A

happens if one shows?”
    “It’s likely he’ll have information, which he’ll share for a price. If there is a valuable item that’s just been stolen, word might have gotten around among the demons. They talk, and they aren’t loyal unless they are forced to be or it’s in their best interest.”
    “What price? Money?”
    “Human money is useless unless they are inside a human. They can’t make use of this physical realm for long periods outside of a human.”
    My head buzzed with all the new information. “So what does he want?”
    Bill shrugged. “That’s for you to learn, but beware that he may betray you before long.”
    “You frustrate me, Bill.”
    “I’m sorry, Rue.” He smiled. “There’s another way.”
    “What?”
    “The paranormal underweb.”
    “Sounds like sci-fi.”
    “It’s real, not accessible by humans.”
    “Where can I find it, online?”
    “Here.”
    “Bill, why didn’t you say so before now?”
    “You didn’t ask.”
    His answer wasn’t sarcastic in the least. Some information didn’t occur to him to share. Others did. Just when I thought I understood him, I didn’t. We headed into another room off the main library, and I began to think the doors to these annexes appeared from nowhere. After all, I hadn’t noticed the one into the kitchen until he led me there the first time. When we left the kitchen, I had looked back, and it was still there.
    In the new room there were two rows of computers. I paused to take them in. “All these for the rush?” I asked, joking because no one had entered the library since I arrived.
    Bill sat down before a screen and glanced at me. “What are you saying, Rue? There are quite a few patrons here.”
    That’s when I noticed them. They were no more than flashes that appeared and were gone. I recalled Bill’s claim that the library existed on several different planes. People were visiting from the other places but not where I was.
    “I’m the only one from this side?”
    “You’re the only one from this side I’ve allowed at this time.”
    “Because everyone hates vampires?”
    “Because most are afraid of you. There have been visitors outside, but I blocked them from entering. They know what that means, and they don’t force it. When you come, you will be the only one here.”
    “Well, I’m feeling very unloved.”
    “I’m sorry.”
    “It’s fine. Please, show me the site.”
    He brought up the screen for the paranormal underweb, and I marveled that it even flashed the odd name across the screen. Bill’s slender fingers clicked over a series of keys rapidfire, and soon I perused listings of Pet Wanted, Roommate Needed, and more.
    “They all seem so ordinary,” I said, somewhat disappointed.
    “Until you realize the roommate is for a werewolf,” Bill explained. “Tough because no one wants to be eaten or for that matter to have their grocery bill quadruple if they live through the experience.”
    “Oh, interesting. Wow, there’s so much coolness in this world. I had no idea.”
    “Indeed.”
    I glanced at the ceiling. “I’m running out of time, Bill. Is there a way to access this information on the regular web?”
    “I’ll give you an url to enter into your web browser. The same way humans aren’t able to see this building, they aren’t allowed access to the site.”
    “Wonderful. Thank you.”
    “But you will come back here to train some more.” He spoke it as a statement not a question.
    I started toward the exit, lamenting over my blouse and the tear at the knee of my jeans. I would need to buy clothing better suited for training. “I thought you can’t predict the future, Bill.”
    “Your intent is to return.”
    “Ah, okay. Well, good day, and thank you. I will be back.”
    Outside, as soon as I stepped off the property, the building went dark. I smiled up at it, feeling a sense of adventure and excitement. The sensation was the first burst of good emotion I had had in forever. I looked forward