Firstborn (The Legacy Series) by Ryan Attard Read Free Book Online

mean?"
    "She ended up in the hospital, right? Hospitals don’t take dead people. So , how come she’s still kicking?"
    Gracie shrugged. “I guess she got lucky.”
    I lifted an eyebrow. "First lesson in this world − there is no luck.” I sat on my table. “I think you know exactly what happened. And for some weird reason you’re not telling me.”
    “I am telling you all I know Mr. Ashendale.”
    “Then explain the white light.”
    Funny how one simple sentence can cause such a big reaction. Gracie’s eyes widened in something that was either pure shock or horror, or a mixture of both. Either way, I had scored a point there.
    “That’s the funny thing about dreams,” I said. “Some you never remember, but some, they keep replaying themselves over and over in your brain like a broken record. And here’s the kicker . Once you get over the main events, you start focusing on the little details – like how you were first on site after Abigale fell bleeding into the pool, even though you were the farthest from her.” I rested both hands on the desk like a cop during an interview scene. Don’t judge – this was my moment.
    “So , you are either on the bad guy’s side and were waiting for Abigale to die, or you knew that she had a means of protection.”
    “No, I − ” she started but I cut her off.
    “Just give me the whole truth , Gracie. I don’t like half-assed stories. Because usually I don’t end up getting paid.”
    Amaymon chose that particular time to show just how much of a wiseass he can be.
    "Not to mention the fact that you risk burning half your actual ass."
    On reflex I arched my head back and yelled,
    "That happened one time!"
    And then I remembered that cats don’t talk and I had a regular, non-feline speaking human sitting on my couch. She sat there with her doe eyes wide open as she slowly turned to look at the cat. And despite the Latin tinge in her skin, she was white as a sheet.
    Oh. Crap.

     
     
    9
     
    Gracie’s mouth began forming words but no sound came out. The cat stood there, right by the kitchen entrance, as if daring her to say something. Finally, enough of her rational mind came back online to make sense of the situation.
    "Oh, my God, the cat just talked!"
    I was close to replying with “Thank you, Captain Obvious” but I decided to cut her some slack. Better she state the obvious than run away screaming.
    Less likely for the police to show up at my door later.
    “Yes, it does talk,” I confirmed. “Although sometimes I wish it didn’t. Sometimes I wish it could just obey simple instructions like stay away from clients . I’d be happy with a cat that just mews.”
    "It talked!"
    This was getting us nowhere.
    I leaned in and gently grasped her hands. "Yes, the cat talks.” I laughed, hoping to reassure her. “I'm a wizard with a talking cat. It’s a cliché, I know , but at least I follow the archetype.” I squeezed her hands just a little. Enough to gain her attention. “I’m gonna need you to accept that or just ignore it, and move on. I need to know the full story – about what happened with your friend Abigale.”
    The girl completely ignored me. I could feel her shaking as Amaymon approached her and leapt into her lap. That cat has no sense of boundaries. He stared at her for a second and the only sound was his purring.
    “Relax , Erik,” he said, breaking the silence. “She’s not gonna snap.”
    “Can’t you tell? She’s a practitioner,” he said as his tail flicked in annoyance. “I ain’t the weirdest thing she’s seen. What are you trying to pull here , lady?”
    Actually , I couldn’t tell. Stupid, Erik. I should have read her aura as soon as she entered the door. Or maybe I should have upgraded my security system rather than use the low-energy one. Sure, it was a pain in the ass to activate and maintain, but at least I wouldn’t have these kinds of surprises. Thank God Amaymon was more attentive than I was. Guess the cat had a use