The Soul Healer by Melissa Giorgio Read Free Book Online Page A

blood dripping onto the concrete floor. I didn’t know him, and he had acted like a jerk to me, but I couldn’t just sit around and watch him die . I squeezed my hands into fists, willing my powers to work, to heal him.
    Come on, come on!
    Nothing happened.
    Evan stepped forward. “Sir, he’s—”
    “Stay out of this, Evan.”
    “But he’s going to die!” Evan exploded, rushing forward and shoving me aside. He pulled out a small bottle from his pocket and I recognized it as the same stuff I had used to heal the deep scratch Fishface had given Rafe. It had worked on Rafe’s arm, but would it heal a much deeper knife wound?
    “Evan, I told you—”
    “I can’t do it!” I snapped, jumping to my feet and shoving a bloodstained finger in Charles’ face. “I can’t heal him, all right? I may have healed Rafe and Evan when they were dying, but this isn’t the same!”
    His face practically glowed with excitement as he asked, “What’s not the same?”
    Belatedly, I realized I had just admitted to healing before. You are such a moron, Gabi! Closing my mouth, I shook my head a few times.
    To my surprise, Charles began laughing. “I knew it. You have the power… Such a rare power… A Soul Healer.” He put his hands on my shoulders, clamping down hard so I couldn’t squirm away. “I never thought I’d live to see one.”
    And still I had no idea what a Soul Healer was. “I don’t care what you think I am, but I’m not helping you or Silver Moon or doing whatever it is you think I’m going to do for you.”
    “Oh, I think you will,” he said, still smiling. It was a super creepy smile, too, promising me I wasn’t going to like whatever it was he was about to say. “Unless you want something to happen to your father or sister…”
    I went cold all over, like I was outside in the blizzard again. He knew about my family, too? Was there anything he didn’t know?
    “You c-can’t,” I sputtered. “Leave them alone—”
    “I will, if you promise to cooperate. If not…” Charles let his threat hang in the air between us. I glanced again at Jonathan, pale and sprawled across the floor. If Charles had no problem stabbing him, a loyal hunter, then what would stop him from hurting my family?
    I thought of Chloe being lured away by Davenport, and how scared I had been, thinking I was going to lose her forever. Now I pictured Charles entering my house, killing both her and Dad while they slept.
    Because of me.
    “What do you want me to do?” I whispered, shaking. I met his gaze, then quickly looked away, a fraid of the blaze of triumph that flashed across his face.
    “We’re going back to Headquarters, where we will figure out this gift of yours,” he said.
    “But my family—” I swallowed hard. “They’ll know I’m missing!”
    “Not if Evan works a little magic on them.”
    My stomach clenched. They had this all worked out, didn’t they? Evan would brainwash my family, and Charles would take his shiny new gift back home with him. And Rafe—
    Rafe wouldn’t even come looking for me, because of the stupid things I had said. For all he knew, I was getting in the car tomorrow and spending the next week in Vermont. Evan wouldn’t even have to waste his magic manipulating him, because he wouldn’t even miss me.
    You stupid idiot, I thought fiercely. Thought you were so brave, telling Rafe you didn’t need him. And look where that got you!
    In a gigantic hole, with no way out.

    Chapter Nine
     
    “How can I even trust you?” I demanded of Charles. “You say you won’t hurt them, but how do I know that’s true?” I mean, this guy was obviously psychotic. I could definitely see him hurting people just for the fun of it.
    “I have no interest in your family, Gabiella, only you,” Charles said. “As long as they’re alive, I know I can keep you in line. But if you decide to rebel against me, then I will harm them.”
    I gritted my teeth. So, what, this guy was going to keep me in Silver