Rebirth of the Seer by Peter W. Dawes Read Free Book Online

even get around to drawing the blade you keep strapped to your thigh.”
    “Are you trying to say I don’t know how to use it?”
    “A knife is easy enough to use if you are able to recognize which is the sharp end.” My grin broadened. “You do know which one that is, am I correct? Or must I extend you the offer of teaching you?”
    “You sarcastic son of a bitch.” Monica laughed
    “You flatter me, miss.”
    “That wasn’t a complement. I’m still wondering why I didn’t drive a stake through your chest when I had the chance.”
    “Because you were overwhelmed by my charm and my good looks. It is a burden to be so attractive, but one I bear nonetheless.”
    She shook her head, a gesture which caused me to smile. Finally, she settled enough to regain her composure. “Before I need a pin to pop your ego, I’ll come clean with you. Yes, there is something on my mind and, no, it’s not your burdensome good looks.”
    I nodded, leaning back against the chair again . Resting my arm on the cushion, I motioned with my hand as I spoke. “One does not need to be psychic to see that. You have been wearing it on your face all night. Please, tell me what it is. I am yet unable to sift through your private thoughts.”
    “It’s a lot of things, actually.” Monica drew in a deep breath. She exhaled it slowly and allowed her disposition to become serious. “Lydia’s gone. It’s finally hit me that she won’t be there to offer us guidance any longer.”
    “It is just as well. I have thought about it and concluded that watching me become a sadist could not have made the afterlife lovely in any way.”
    “No, I’m sure you’re right.”
    “Be that as it may, I do agree. Her oversight was beneficial.”
    Monica sighed . “It wa s the only oversight I ever knew. She’s the reason why I went looking for a duplicate pendant; how I knew everything that happened before she was murdered and where my insight into you came from. Granted, she never spoke to me in my dreams, but she at least talked enough about you that I knew where to look for information. If it had been left up to the Council…”
    She trailed off. I furrowed my brow. “What of it?” I asked.
    “I would’ve been completely in the dark. When I first told them I meant to rehabilitate you, they told me it was my funeral. I’ve been hoping that after what happened with Sabrina, we’ll regain their oversight, but…”
    “… You do not think they will hear our case?”
    Monica nodded. “Exactly. They might even seek action against us.” She paused to glance away again, frowning. “I haven’t wanted to deter you, Flynn, but they were pretty pissed off with me the last time we spoke. What I told you before, about your life possibly being in jeopardy – I still think it is. Though I’m hoping for the best, I’m preparing for the worst.”
    “Well, I thought the idea somewhat whimsical anyway, no offense to ward this blind optimism you possess with regard to me.” My own gaze became distant as I studied my knives, seeing in them not merely my current mission, but the havoc I wrought with them as an assassin. “To be perfectly honest, I am not entirely certain I deserve to go on living.”
    “If Lydia said you must, then you must. The Fates have their own agenda. That they gave you a mission in the first place means you have to stay on this path.”
    “And what path might that be?”
    Monica offered me a sober smile, her eyes speaking comfort to my unsettled soul. While such a look would have ordinarily repulsed me, I found it soothing for a change . “That’s for you to find out. I’m afraid I might not be able to give you much assistance beyond tonight.”
    Those words caused me to straighten my posture and regard her much more seriously. Not asking for permission before doing so, I delved into her mind as far as she would allow me, to search through the thoughts troubling her. She did not offer me any resistance. Instead, the message she