Sin's Dark Caress by Tracey O'Hara Read Free Book Online Page A

it.” Barnes gave Bianca a friendly wink as he leaned in to grab the radio.
    An oppressive darkness gripped her insides and twisted as she followed McManus down the service lane. She closed her eyes and swallowed, concentrating on pushing back the sick black sensation.
    It worked.
    She could feel Kedrax’s presence. With a little more concentration, she kept the corruption at bay. It was amazing how all the theory of spellcraft she’d learned as a teenager came flooding back now that she was able to put it into practice.
    They found Jones on a cement loading platform outside the building’s side door, his thumbs hooked into his police utility belt, the universal stance of a cop. A young man in an apron sat on the bottom of four steps with his head in his hands.
    â€œJones,” McManus said, climbing the steps to the small loading dock.
    The two cops talked in hushed tones as Bianca sat down beside the young man and extended her hand. “Hi! My name’s Bianca Sin. What’s yours?”
    He just looked at her hand for a moment, and then shook it weakly. “Mickey.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed nervously.
    She noticed that the clothes he wore were similar to those on the nearest body. “Do you know this guy?”
    Mickey glanced over and shrugged. “Bit hard to tell without seeing his face.”
    Good point. “You work here in the kitchen, don’t you? Did you notice anyone missing?”
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?” The boy tilted his head. “There’s a big function going on. Do you know how crazy it gets in there?”
    â€œI can imagine.” Her smile seemed to relax him a little.
    â€œIt’s a madhouse. In fact my boss is probably screaming for me right now.” He ran a hand through greasy hair and tossed a glance over his shoulder at the cops. “I hope I don’t get fired.”
    She glanced in the same direction. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
    McManus was on the phone, frowning in concentration. He put the cell back in his pocket and approached.
    Bianca placed her hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This is Detective McManus,” she said, and then to McManus: “Mickey here is a little nervous about getting fired.”
    The detective gave her a slight nod. “Everything’s going to be okay, Mickey,” he said. “I’ll square it. Someone will be along soon to take your formal statement, but I just want you to run me through what happened.”
    â€œI didn’t do nothin’,” he said, holding up his hands, terror masking his face. “I just found them like that.”
    â€œI know that, Mickey.” McManus used the boy’s name again, keeping his tone soft and consolatory. “I want you to tell me about how you found them.”
    The kitchen worker’s shoulders relaxed a little. “Oh. Right.” He rubbed his open palms hands along his thighs and stood up. “I came out the door to throw the trash away over there.” He pointed to the Dumpster just beside the loading platform. “I didn’t see nothin’ at first. It was dark, like the lights weren’t working properly, they was kinda dim. When I looked at them, they got all bright again and then I looked down to see . . .” He waved his hands at the bodies.
    McManus stood up and pulled her aside. “The medical examiner is on the way. Why don’t you quickly check over the bodies and do some preliminary readings?”
    She set her case down on the ground. “Do you want me to orb him too?” she asked.
    â€œI have a feeling we’re not going to get too much more than what he’s already told us, but I’ll let you know after I talk to him some more.” McManus turned back to the boy.
    Bianca pulled the thaumaturgic scanner from the bag, moved to the first body and turned on the device. It went off the charts, then settled back down to