The Spirit Seducer (The Echo Series Book 1) by Alexa Padgett Read Free Book Online Page A

golden and her eyes were like molten silver. She stood so tall and lithe, almost a sprite. But more. My jailer at the moment.
    “Are you even real?” I demanded.
    She blinked at me, her eyes round, her lips parting in surprise. She threw back her head and laughed. The sound edged toward hysteria, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She clutched her belly.
    “Were you ever my friend?” My voice was low because I had to force the words out. Layla quit laughing and her gray eyes darkened to flint as she studied my face.
    “That’s what you’re worried about? After what you’ve seen in the last hour?”
    “Seems fairly important to find out my best friend isn’t what she said she was,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “I mean, I just found out Zeke’s been stalking me for years. You know him. Apparently, I know him, too, but . . .” I exhaled. The answer was there, staring back at me in all its ugliness. I’d guessed it already, prayed I was wrong. “My mom wiped my brain. Without my permission.”
    I pressed my fingers to my temples, willing my mind back to the memory of meeting Zeke, but my headache blazed again. My eyes slammed shut against the sharp pains from the light. I took a few deep breaths, hoping to bypass the worst of the nausea.
    “Something’s wrong with my head.”
    “I think it’ll get better,” Layla said, her voice soft but her concern evident. “Now that you know the truth.”
    “You think, but you don’t know.”
    “Your mom said that with time, the spells would fade.”
    “When I found out the truth about my heritage?” I asked.
    “When she—” Layla swallowed, gripping her fingers together. “When she weakens too far to keep up the magic. She said she’d set up a plan so that you’d be protected, but still have everything you needed to see the prophecy to its fruition. I hope that means we win.” at hearing all that Layla had confessed, my knees buckled and I collapsed onto the sofa.
    She kept her gaze fixed firmly on me, much like a cat who’d spotted a mouse. “Tell me, what are you thinking?”
    “You and my mom have been colluding for years—lying to me. You helped my mom enforce all her rules.” I glared, my lips mashed together so Layla wouldn’t see the telltale quiver of my chin. “Those rules didn’t keep my mom very safe, did they?”
    Her face softened. “That’s wrong. I am your friend.”
    I snorted. She edged closer, sat next to me.
    “That’s why I’m here. To protect you.”
    “From Coyote?”
    Layla shook her head, her eyes darting around the empty room. “Not exactly. He’s a problem, but not the problem .”
    “What is the problem ?”
    “It has to do with the Four. But let’s not go there yet. You’re on overload.”
    “More secrets.” The frustration foamed over again, and I stood. Ten steps to the right then back to my left, I paced, not even caring when I kicked up Zeke’s hand-woven rug. “That’s the problem, Layla. I don’t have any secrets. You know why? I didn’t ever do anything, go anywhere.”
    Layla wouldn’t meet my eyes when she said, “That was because of the headaches . . .”
    “That my mom caused by trying to suppress my memory.”
    Layla shrugged as she rubbed her finger along the seam in the leather chair she sat in.
    “Right, Layla?” Anger fired through my veins.
    “No. Your magic.”
    “And why the hell would she want to suppress any abilities I have?” The negative energy coated my skin. “Knowing how to use them today would’ve been really, really helpful.”
    My necklace heated and the temperature around me dropped.
    “Stop!” Layla and I cried together. I didn’t need any spirits—at least I hoped I didn’t. Not against Layla.
    “I’m fine,” I muttered. “No threats.”
    I clutched my arms close. “My mom knew gods existed. She’s a half-god. You knew. And Zeke . . . He’s powerful. Not just as a fighter. He’s got magical capabilities. You said he moved the