Read Online 1305 & 1306 The Oracle & the Vampire (The 13th Floor) by Christine Rains - Free Book Online Page A

us, dears. This is Judith and Margaret. Girls, this is my Harriet’s grandmother by the same name, and her handsome young friend, Kiral.” Bates smiled again as she made the introductions and sat down.
    Kiral clasped his hands behind his back, acutely aware of his ruined and bloody clothing. His body had healed, but he could do nothing for his wardrobe. It might be a good idea to mesmerize these women to forget they saw him before he left.
    “I’ve heard so much about your granddaughter from Cyndi. I pray she’s somewhere safe tonight.” Judith dipped her head in sympathy.
    “Thank you. We think she may be checking on her clients.” Harriet took a seat beside the hostess. She tried to tame her hair with her fingers. Kiral bet she felt as out of place as he did.
    “I’m sorry, she hasn’t been by here.” Bates shook her head and motioned to the teapot. “A cuppa?”
    Harriet paused and then declined. “No, thank you. We won’t stay much longer than usual. Have you heard from Mr. Stewart? We thought to check there next.”
    Margaret sniffled, and Bates reached over to take her friend’s hand. “There now, dear. Have a little more tea.” She turned to Harriet and spoke in a quiet voice. “Some wild animal attacked Joe in his yard. It was terrible. Margaret’s little poodle found him and ran crying into the night.”
    “I’m so sorry.” Harriet bowed her head and scrubbed at the tears caught in her wrinkles. Kiral edged closer to the crone with the urge to comfort her, but he kept his hands to himself. He wouldn’t know what to say or that such a gesture was even wanted.
    “Thank you, dear.” Bates sighed. “I want to convince you to stay here with us, to remain safe through this long night, but I don’t want to imagine anything happening to my Harriet. I can see your young man here looks quite capable of taking care of things.”
    Kiral said nothing in return, but merely gave them a little reassuring smile. Things were only going to get worse the longer they delayed. He turned to Harriet. “We should get going, Grandmother.”
    “Of course.” Her bones creaked as she stood. “Thank you for your hospitality, Ms. Bates. A pleasure to meet all of you.”
    “I’ll see you out.” Bates stood and wheeled her walker expertly around. She unlocked the front door and peered out into the night. “Good luck with your search and be careful. I fear …” She let out a shaky breath. “There’s something unnatural happening tonight. I wouldn’t dare say such a thing to the other girls, but by your weary faces, I think you’ve seen your fair share of horrors.”
    “Stay in and keep the door locked. Morning isn’t too far away.” Harriet patted the other woman’s arm, and Miller enveloped her in a tight embrace.
    Maybe a hug would’ve been welcomed.
    “Find our Harriet. She’s a precious girl. I’m sure you know it, but so many of us feel the same way.” Bates squeezed and then released Harriet. She stepped aside so they could leave.
    “We will.” Harriet shuffled outside and swallowed with a raven’s cronk.
    “Thank you.” Kiral followed the crone and stood guard at the door until it was locked again. He then helped Harriet down the porch steps. “Your granddaughter is well loved.”
    Harriet smiled a little. “I suppose she is.”
    “She’s very important to all these people just as she’s become important to me.” Kiral strode to the end of the walk and glanced out past the hedges. He nodded once, signaling the way was clear.
    The more people they visited, the more precious Harriet became. She’d touched so many lives, nurtured them and brought forth much more good than he had in all his long years of existence. When he touched someone’s life, it only crumbled.
    He needed her. Yes, his body craved her, but awe was a poor word for what he was feeling. She was like a goddess or something akin. A tale from his days as a child tickled his mind. Harriet would change his life for the