The Banshee's Desire by Victoria Richards Read Free Book Online Page B

groaned. "Stupid doctor wants me there at five to check in."
    "They wanted her to check in tonight," Toby said. "But somebody was too stubborn to spend more than one night in the hospital."
    "Somebody better watch it or his mother won't go do the surgery at all," Matilda warned. "Then you can just carry me around from place to place like any good son."
    "You're getting the surgery," Toby said, going behind the bar. "I'm tired of hearing you bitch."
    Jacqueline listened to the argument between Toby and Matilda with a smile. She knew they weren't really arguing. This was just their way of communicating. True, it was different than the way she and her own mother treated each other, but it seemed to work for Toby and Matilda. Underneath their constant bickering was a deep love that she'd only just begun to recognize. 
    "What you looking at?" Matilda asked when Toby went in to the backroom. Without waiting for a response, she pulled the book over. "Irish Folklore and Families. Sounds boring."
    "It's not," Jacqueline said. "It's actually interesting stuff."
    "Anything about your people in there?"
    "A little. I've tried talking to my mother about it, but she hasn't been very helpful with providing details."
    "Some mothers don't want their children to know the truth. They're afraid of the consequences."
    "I don't think my mom is hiding anything, really. She did tell me that my biological family's name is O' Grady. I think she just feels bad about keeping the fact that I was adopted a secret in the first place."
    "Feels bad? Are you sure she doesn't feel guilty?" Matilda pushed the book back to Jacqueline. "Listen, honey, I've been around a long time. I've seen some strange things and known family members to keep crazy secrets. Moms will do anything to protect their babies. Even lie."
    She wanted to defend her mother, but in the last four months, she'd come to feel that something wasn't right. Her mother acted strangely whenever the adoption was brought up, telling her only that her mother had been a young Irish girl who'd gotten pregnant too soon and been killed in a car accident.
    But Jacqueline knew there was more.
    Gabe had once told her that the last time a half banshee had been created, it had destroyed half of Europe . She couldn't help but wonder if she was somehow related to the first half banshee.
    But did she really want to know?
    Sometimes it just seemed easier to float along in the world she and Toby coexisted in and forget about all the unknowns.
    "You can't escape the truth," Matilda said, watching her closely. "No matter how much you may want to, it always finds a way to be heard. Keep pushing your mother."
    "I will," Jacqueline promised and then changed the subject. "So, is there anything special you want me to bring to you at the hospital tomorrow night?"
    "If you could sneak in a beer or two that would be great."
    "I don't know if Toby will let me."
    "Why does he have to know?" Matilda lowered her voice. "If you put the beer in a Styrofoam cup with a straw, no one will suspect a thing. Trust me. I've used that tactic many times."
    "I'll see what I can do."
    "Banshee or not, you're a good girl, Jackie," Matilda smiled and patted her hand. "I'm glad my son found you."
    "Me, too."
    "Is the sex good?" Hopeful, Matilda leaned forward. "His father was a dynamo in the sack!"
    "Mom! Cut it out!" Toby had come back in the room and shook his head at his mother's words. "You really need to mind your own business."
    "I just want to make sure that my son knows how to treat a woman in bed. Good sex is important," Matilda said, turning her attention on Toby.
    Jacqueline grinned as Toby and Matilda started arguing again.
    It was then that she noticed the slight shadow surrounding Matilda.
    Oh God. Jacqueline gulped air and averted her eyes, already feeling her banshee blood stirring. Not Matilda. Wary, she glanced at the older woman again.
    The shadow was gone, but she knew what she'd seen.
    The mark of Death.
     
    ****

"Well,