Curse of Shadows and Light by Penelope King Read Free Book Online Page A

deepest red—crimson on the outer petals, but with a bright, golden white center. They are the strangest, most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen in my life.
    Anastasia snips off a fat blossom and holds it out for my inspection. “Do you like it?” she asks. Even from a few feet away I catch a whiff of the rose’s sweet aroma.
    “ It’s very pretty.”
    “ It’s my own special hybrid. I call it ‘Shadows and Light’.”
    “ It’s lovely,” I murmur, not caring one whit about her stupid plants. “Can we talk? I mean, there’s a lot that we need to sort out, right?”
    “ What would you like to talk about?” She returns her attention to the bush and snips off another ripe bloom and sets it in her basket.
    I sigh. “Well, lots of things I guess. Not all of it involves me, but I guess it sorta does. But since you won’t talk with Lucky—”
    “ I never said I won’t talk with her, just that she’s not welcome in or near my personal domicile. I expect to talk with her whenever necessary and no more.”
    I turn my head away so she won’t see me roll my eyes again. “Okay, whatever. It’s just, well, there’s a lot going on. Like heavy duty actual heaven and hell drama. I’m not sure what you already know.”
    She pauses from her clipping and gives me warm smile that takes me completely by surprise. “I know a few details. But I’m sure there is much to be learned from hearing your side of the story. Why don’t you explain to me your predicament? I’m all ears.”
    I take a deep breath. Where to even start?
    “ Okay, well, first things first. Light-angels are after me. They want to use me to get them into Thiberoux, land of the demons. Because I can handle the magical crystals without turning to ash, I can open the portal. And because I’m a human and not a demon, they can use their powers to manipulate me to do what they want. Fortunately Lucky, Kieron, and Tattie were able to get rid of them before. But I…we…we’re no longer safe there. The Light-angels know too much about me, where I live and stuff. It was too dangerous to stay.
    Anastasia tilts her head to the side and gives me a funny glance. “Curious…”
    “ What is?”
    “ That these magical stones you speak of…that you can handle them like a demon, even though you are human. That must mean they still read your demoness.”
    I shrug. “Yeah, seems like it.”
    “ Yet you seem to be entirely immune to my magic that renders demons powerless.”
    I shrug again. “I’m sure it’s just a different type of magic. Maybe because the stones are my birthright. I’d handled them my whole life, even before I became human. I just didn’t have a reason to afterwards since Lucky is the only one who goes into Thiberoux.”
    She nods. “I see. Go on.”
    I take a deep breath. “Okay, well, the Light-angels are after me, but they’re probably pretty pissed at Lucky too, because she killed a few of their leaders. But then to make things worse, she pissed off a whole bunch of demons, including some pretty powerful ones, and got herself expelled from Thiberoux. That’s her demon home, and she needs to go there for Source Energy and to be with others of her kind. Although now that Bones is gone…”
    My voice drifts off as I suddenly feel his essence flow through me like a gentle stream, meandering its way through my chest and down my arms and legs until it settles in my middle like a warm, comfortable cloud. Unconsciously I wrap my arms around my waist and hug myself, as if returning some invisible, imaginary embrace from beyond the grave.
    Anastasia’s eyes narrow. “I take it this Bones is the father of that ?” She looks directly at my midsection.
    “ That? It’s not a that !” I protest. Yet somehow her words have no effect on me. She knows nothing about the life I carry inside me, and her opinion on the matter couldn’t be more irrelevant.
    She waves her hand dismissively. “Let us save the details of your delicate condition