Read Scorched Fury: A SkinWalker Novel #5 (DarkWorld: SkinWalker) for Free Online Page B

was a perfect example. All he did these days was sit and stare off into space. A man, once the most powerful teleporter in the world, now reduced to a catatonic state, caught in an unknown place while he'd projected to help someone. Until now, Mel had been unable to help him get home.
    Said a lot for my chances of being any help if she got herself in trouble.
    But my concern was unwarranted. Seconds later, Mel took a shuddering breath and opened her eyes. "You going to fly out to Boston or do you need a ride?"
    "Boston?" I laughed. "A ride would be lovely, thanks."

CHAPTER 7

M Y STOMACH TREMBLED AS WE MATERIALIZED in a Boston street, shielded by the shadows that accompanied Mel when she burst forth from the Veil. I was grateful for them. Appearing suddenly on a residential street would draw suspicious witnesses, or the unwanted attention of the authorities.
    But the shadows enveloped us, red smoke that, though it contrasted with our drab fall surroundings, was filled with glamor to make it, and us, invisible. We stood alone on the leaf-strewn sidewalk, hemmed in by the endearingly cobbled street on one side and a row of gorgeous triple-level brownstones on the other. Historical residences that would prove attractive even to the most ardent haters of modern duplex living. Even I would adore such a home, despite knowing I was mere inches from my neighbors at any given moment.
    I took a slow step toward the stairs, fingers trailing the wrought iron banister, when I sensed Mel hesitate behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I frowned as she fidgeted, throwing her hair out of her eyes with jittery fingers.
    "What's wrong?"
    She jerked her head, a ragged excuse for a shake. "Nothing. I just thought that maybe you'd want to be alone with Tara?"
    My turn to hesitate. "Maybe. But not for too long." I scanned the street, wary still of curious passers-by. "Is there somewhere you could hide safely and project into the room?"
    "You don't need your privacy?" She seemed confused.
    I laughed. "Tara is my best friend, not my lover." 
    After a moment, she shrugged as if having both in the same person wasn't a problem. I accepted that she was just respecting our boundaries and I sighed. "Of course, you may be right about privacy. Tara may not want our discussion overheard, but you and I are here on an important errand. It's not personal and I hardly think she'd mind you listening in."
    Mel nodded, although the look in her eyes was uncertain. I ignored it and hurried up the stairs. With one last glance at Mel, I knocked on the door, grimacing at the fist-sized head of a lion, it's giant canines biting onto a brass knocker.
    The door opened a few seconds later and a woman, who bore a striking resemblance to Gracie, stared at me. She was wraith-thin, her large glassy blue eyes watery as they reflected light from every angle. Her glamor was ragged, lacking the elegance with which Tara drew hers. And the slim, thorn-riddled branch around her neck confirmed my suspicion.
    A Fae slave.
    "May I help you?" she asked. Her tone held a hint of annoyance that I dared disturb her by knocking. Odd in the demeanor of a slave, but then Fae slaves were known for enjoying their enslavement.
    I ignored her tone and nodded, forcing my lips to rise in a smile. Probably looked maniacal, but I couldn't do anything about it. "I'm here to speak with Tara."
    The Gracie-doppelganger's eyebrows rose a few inches. Her cheeks flushed and as she swallowed a thorn sank into the curve of her neck, drawing blood. I forced myself not to stare as the blood pooled and dribbled into the neck of her linen shift.
    "I'm sure I don't know what you mean." Her eyes scanned me from head to toe and I wondered if she knew she spoke to a shifter, or if she thought I was a human who didn't deserve even a lowly Fae slave's time.
    "Look. Let's not waste each other's time. I'm a friend of Tara's." Again the woman flushed, her cheeks reddening as I mentioned my friend's name. Still, she didn't