Read Online A Barrel of Whiskey - (An Urban Fantasy Whiskey Witches Novel) by SM Blooding - Free Book Online Page B

years, then I popped the question. She didn’t take it so well.” He clapped his hands together and scooted his chair back to his desk. “She came back about a week later, very apologetic. Said she loved me, that she wanted to get married, but didn’t think I’d understand.”
    Dexx glanced at Paige. “Do we want to know?”
    “She, uh.” Wrick licked his lips. “Apparently, she’s a water wraith. We, uh, tried to make a go of it. She showed me her true face. It’s…it’s not pretty. But then children started disappearing around the river one summer and, uh, you know. I—I did my research. Water wraiths. They, uh, lure people to the water and then they disappear for, you know, ever. So, I asked her one day if she knew any other water wraiths in the area. And she freaked. She disappeared and the kids stopped disappearing. So, I’m pretty sure I was about to marry a murderer. You know? One that killed small children.”
    “You went after her?” Dexx asked.
    “Tracked her to Kansas, but lost her trail after that.” Wrick sucked in his lips, his jaw lowered. “Yeah. Still looking for her. She’s not going to get away with that. There’s nothing there that’s okay. Nothing.”
    “Wow.” Dexx held up his hands. “Water wraith in your bed. How was that?”
    “Kid killer.” Wrick smashed his lips together and nodded, his dark gaze on his desk. “Real hot. Like, very. Very hot.”
    King frowned at him. “I didn’t know that.”
    “Chief did. That’s all that mattered.”
    Dexx raised his hand. “Dexx Colt. Demon hunter and shapeshifter. A few years back, my brother was possessed by a demon. It didn’t go well. He was put in the loony bin for a long stint. He raved about stuff that didn’t make sense. Then he killed himself. After that, I did my research. Discovered demons were real and started chasing after them. Lost my job. Lost my apartment. I now steal identities so I can get credit cards to put gas in my car and to pay for my storage unit. I was bitten a few days ago. Still learning to control my shift.”
    Wrick’s eyes widened and the corners of his lips lowered.
    King frowned at Dexx.
    Parris crossed his arms over his chest, his pale eyes narrowed.
    Gomez chucked her chin in Paige’s direction. “Your turn.”
    “Right.” They needed a mood lifter. Paige clapped her hands. “Born a witch to a long line of witches. We’re one of the strongest lines I know of. We’re also the loudest. My grandmother raised us not to be afraid of who we are, so we never hid it. Made for some very interesting stories growing up, but we got better. I’m also a demon summoner.”
    Wrick’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
    Enough of that. “Let’s take a look at some of your cases. See if we can’t give you a little assistance.”
    No one moved.
    “Who would like to start?”
    King sighed and turned to her desk. “Fine. New case. Just landed on my desk. Heather Blackwell. New mother. Just brought her baby boy home.”
    The air stuck in Paige’s throat. Her ears buzzed.
    “Found dead. She’d been tortured for days, but her baby boy was found in the next room, hidden under the bed with a fresh diaper.”
    Paige’s mouth went dry. She stumbled and grabbed the desk.
    “Ma’am?” King asked.
    Dexx caught her arm. “What’s wrong?”
    “Heather,” Paige gasped. “Leslie just saw her in the hospital. They gave birth together.”
    “Yeah?” Dexx shook his head. “So?”
    “She was my best friend,” Paige whispered.

“W hen did this happen?” Paige demanded.
    Wrick tugged at his rumpled shirt. “Her body was just found this morning.”
    “This morning?” Paige fought to breathe. She’d just gotten into town and now her friends were dropping? She hadn’t even had a chance to visit with Heather. Was her family next? “You said she’d been tortured for days. If she was in the hospital with Leslie, then she was just there two days ago.”
    “According to the coroner,” King said, handing the