Hex by Rhiannon Lassiter Read Free Book Online Page B

him back to the apartment.
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    As it happened, Kez had no chance to explain what had gone on at the rec complex. He arrived back at the apartment only seconds after Wraith, who was as excited as the boy had ever seen him. Raven had actually turned off the screeching music in order to listen to what he was saying.
    â€œThe Countess has found Rachel’s adoptive parents,” he announced as Kez walked in the door. “One of her contacts recognized their pictures, some ganger who works the area. They’ve changed their names, which was why we couldn’t find them.”
    â€œWhat about Rachel?” Raven asked.
    â€œNothing.” Wraith’s face clouded over a little. “The person who recognized them didn’t remember having seen her. But he said they had two kids.”
    â€œThat’s great!” Kez said enthusiastically, inwardly wondering if Raven and Wraith would dump him as soon as they found their sister. “Are you going to find them now?”
    â€œLet me check them out in the nets instead,” Raven suggested. Kez was surprised at this uncharacteristic display of caution but Wraith’s reaction was one he couldn’t have anticipated.
    â€œInstead?” He stared piercingly at Raven. “Don’t you want to see Rachel?”
    â€œI came to London with you, didn’t I?” Raven bristled, taking umbrage at her brother’s tone. “I’m just not as obsessed with this thing as you are, OK?”
    â€œThis isn’t obsession.” Wraith shook his head. “You just have no idea, do you, Raven? You can’t relate to other people at all, just machinery.” His gray eyes were as hard as ice and Raven stared back at him, white with rage. She was too angry even to speak. Swinging around, she headed for one of the bedrooms, slamming the door behind her with a crash.
    Kez stared after her in alarm, then turned to look at Wraith, utterly astonished.
    â€œIt sounded like you hate her,” he said in amazement.
    â€œI don’t know Raven very well anymore,” Wraith said stiffly. “When she stops sulking, tell her I’ve gone to find Rachel.” Kez only hesitated for a moment.
    â€œI’m coming with you,” he told Wraith.
    â€œI don’t recall inviting you,” Wraith said coldly.
    â€œOh no.” Kez shook his head. “You’re not leaving me behind now. You got her into this mood—I don’t want to be here until she gets out of it.”
    â€œCome on then,” Wraith said shortly and headed for the door. Kez followed him as quickly as he could. But they had barely reached the flitter when they heard the music starting up behind them, even louder than before.
    As he strapped himself into the passenger seat of the flitter Kez wondered if he should have told Raven about his encounter with the Gateshall clique in the mall. But the thudding noise he could hear even with the flitter’s doors shut warned him against returning to the apartment. As Wraith took off, Kez settled himself more comfortably in his seat, hoping that in subjecting herself to that atonal din Raven would work herself back into a reasonable mood.
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    When the group left Arkade, Zircarda and Caitlin went back with Ali to her apartment. By the time they had stretched out in the lounge in front of the vidscreen, Ali and Caitlin were bored by the thought of Elizabeth Black and Kester Chirac. However, Zircarda had decided Kez was an original: dressing like a ganger but too young to be a genuine threat. A new addition to Belgravia was always an event since the complex attracted some of the richest and most influential people in the city. Knowing the new arrivals before anyone else would add to Zircarda’s social standing and, through Kez, she would be bound to be one of the first to meet Elizabeth. If anyone else had gone on in this way Ali and Caitlin would