Flight from Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn Read Free Book Online Page B

the planet and unless somebody was as thick as a brick, I had the feeling they wouldn’t be able to shake off the feeling of being watched by every tree and bush. As we quietly approached the front door, Bette tensed up. I tried to tune into what she was feeling, but the moment I opened myself up, a deluge of fear and anger swept over me and I let out a cry, dropping to my knees at the sudden assault of emotion.
    â€œBette!” I winced, rubbing my forehead.
    She spun, then crouched down beside me. “Shimmer, what is it? Do you need me to call a doctor?”
    I shook my head, trying to drive back the spikes that felt like they were jabbing me from every which way. “I don’t know what it is. I was trying to sense whatever I could and . . .”
    A soft look of understanding stole over the Melusine. “You’ve become an empath—I suspected as much last night. I’ll bet you’ve always had the ability, but it never opened itself up before. And now, you’re having to come to terms with it. Pull back, girl. Pull those feelers back and it should help some.”
    I wasn’t sure what she meant, but I tried to do as she suggested and, after a moment, I could think again. But even though I was feeling better, I also knew that something hadhappened here. Something to desperately upset the beings who were rooted on this lot.
    â€œBette, something horrible happened here—and recently. I’m worried about your friend. The trees, the plants, I think they’re all upset, though I can’t communicate directly with them. If there were a stream or the like running through the area, that would be a different matter.”
    Bette frowned and pushed the doorbell. The buzzer rang, a soft hollow chime from inside the house, but nobody was answering. She rang again. Still no answer. With a look at me—I nodded—she tried the door. It was unlocked.
    â€œDo you think we should call the cops?” I hesitated to just barge in. If something had gone wrong, then I didn’t want to destroy any evidence.
    â€œMaybe . . . why don’t we take a look inside? If we find her hurt, we’ll call the medics. If we find anything else . . . we’ll call the police.” She took out a handkerchief and softly pushed the door open, and I realized she wasn’t taking a chance on mucking up any fingerprints. With a cautious glance inside, she stepped through the door and I followed.
    We entered the living room. The house was cozy, that much I could tell right off. Plants covered the bookshelves and walls. And a long-haired black cat let out a mew and came running up to us, crying anxiously. Bette picked up the fluffy creature, petting it softly.
    â€œHey there, Snookums. Where’s Marlene? Hmm? Where’s your mama?” She flashed a glance over her shoulder at me. “This is Snookums, and he seems awfully upset. He usually won’t come up to strangers. Me, he tolerates, because by now he knows me, but that he came running out with you here, too? Unusual.” She stopped, then pointed. “Marlene’s purse.”
    I followed her direction. There, on the floor, lay a purse. It was a pretty leather satchel, open, with the contents strewn around. I slowly walked over and knelt down, staring at it. The latch on it had been broken, as if someone had been in agreat hurry and had trouble getting it open. Once again, a ripple of fear raced up my back. Motioning for Bette to stay where she was, I crossed to a partially open door on the other side of the room, and leaned in. A bedroom—Marlene’s by the look of it. The sheets were partially ripped off the bed. There was a jewelry armoire and it had been tipped over, with the drawers scattered around the floor. The closet door was half off its hinges. Still no sign of Marlene, though.
    Quickly, I made my way back to Bette. “We need to get out of here and call