Elemental Moon: The Eldritch Files, Book Three by Phaedra Weldon Read Free Book Online Page A

shuffled up to the back of the shop and unlocked the door and keyed the alarm.
    I absently reached down to stroke Grey's neck—and freaked out a little when she wasn't there. Now my brain was not only flooded with erroneous questions about what kind of creature was in the morgue, but seriously bad thoughts on how to make Mildred Prescott's life a living hell if I didn't get Grey back soon.
    This was just not me. I didn't really consider revenge a great strategy in any situation. Yeah, I'm like anyone else when it comes to the reaction of someone doing me wrong. I want to get even the same as the next person. But usually that anger melts and I'm on to the best way to remedy the situation. Part of me knew this new body Crwys was investigating would prove Grey's innocence, and I trusted my detective to bring her home to me.
    But this other part of me, the one lurking in the darkest closet of my mind, the one that crept along the shadows of my imagination and utterly destroyed the bodies of my dad, my step-mom and their nurse, as well as their house, that part of me was already thinking of curses, finding a disreputable Vodoun Priestess in the Quarter, or summoning a Fetch and sending it out to punish her myself.
    These thoughts just weren't me! But there they were, jumping up into my window frame like a pen full of popcorn kittens. Each one leaping up to snag my attention for a brief moment before I shoved it back down.
    Were those thoughts the Arcane that now permeated my insides? Were they caused by the symbol on my chest? Was I ever going to find the answers without getting myself and everyone I know in trouble?
    Or worse.
    Kyle went through the shop and turned on the lights before heading through the door into the retail area. I stopped at the break room and rinsed out the kettle before I filled it and set it back on its warmer. I pressed the button and turned to Jack and Bastien as Kyle came back through.
    "I turned the lights on but left the closed sign out," he stood by Jack and crossed his arms. "What other body?"
    I looked at each of them, more aware of Bastien's golden gaze than the others. He had a power about him. It was there, like a subtle hum just below the skin. He also exuded an odd calm. Calm men weren't something I was used to, especially since Crwys always felt like he was on the verge of fighting.
    "All he said was they caught another mutilated body, and he was sure this would prove Grey had nothing to do with the first one," I looked at the floor. "I just want her home."
    "This will happen, chérie ," Bastien said. Even his voice had a hint of calm to it. This amazed me, given I'd seen him covered in fur and teeth less than twenty-four hours ago. “She will be home soon. Or I will personally rip the throat out of anyone who cages her."
    I smiled at Bastien and put my hand on his arm. "There will be no ripping of throats, okay? There's been enough ripping of a lot of things. Especially flesh, given what we all just saw in that morgue." I had to put on my serious face, and my serious attitude now. I also needed to talk to Crwys and get information on what he found at that call. Given our previous conversation, I was sure he'd call me once he found out I wasn't in the hospital anymore and I'd skipped out on the bill. Oops.
    What I didn't want was him coming by while the wolves were in the shop. Though he said he wanted to talk to the wolves, I wasn't so sure the puppies should meet Mister Flame On .
    Jack walked from around the table and pulled down four mugs. He also pulled out the tea sampler Kyle picked up a week ago and set it on the table. "I think we need to take a moment to think about the implications. Have some tea and put our heads together?"
    Bastien snorted before he pointed at Jack. "Apogee."
    "You say that like it's a dirty word," I said.
    "Not a dirty word. Just is. Jack's turning was the mistake of Marilla's frére. "
    I wanted to make sure I understood what Bastien just said as Jack took the