Read Online A Cat's Chance in Hell by Sharon Hannaford - Free Book Online Page B

voices, so that she knew what she was up against when she did venture out. Kyle’s voice was clear but muted; Rose answered him now, in very quiet, worried tones. Then Byron, of course, she knew better than to think he wouldn’t be here already. She idly wondered what time it was. So, it was the usual suspects out in the kitchen discussing her. Then another female voice spoke up, not attempting to keep to her tone low and hushed like the others. Gabi’s emotions flashed from fear and worry to rage in an instant. What was Athena doing in her house? She thought furiously, her eyes snapping open instinctively as she sat up, tipping a disgruntled Razor onto the floor and rolling Slinky half way across the bed. She had the covers off and was almost standing before she realised she could see.
    She sat back down with a thump, for once ignoring Razor’s annoyed grumbling, her hands tentatively going to her eyes. Well, “see” was probably a strong word for it. Her vision was still far from perfect, it had gone from a pitch black fog to a light grey fog, but she could make out shapes and see the sunlight streaming in through cracks in the curtains. She was still blinking and doing ridiculous eye contortions, trying to clear her vision when the door opened a crack and Kyle peeked in. Razor stopped languidly scent marking her legs and deliberately moved to place himself between Gabi and Kyle, facing Kyle with what Gabi knew would be a ‘give me an excuse’ expression on his face.
    “ Uh, hi,” he greeted. “I thought I heard movement in here. Can I come in?”
    “ As long as you don’t bring the witch in with you,” she said in a steely tone, almost hoping Athena would hear her.
    “ So you heard her, did you?” he asked, coming in and closing the door.
    “ I could be rude and say I smelt her, or heard her broomstick touch down,” she said archly.
    Kyle tried to stifle a chuckle. “Now, now,” he reproved, “put the claws away and play nice! She’s here to help.”
    “ So she says,” Gabi countered, “she’s probably just here to gloat.”
    Kyle ignored that. He made to start moving across to the bed but Razor took an even more aggressive stance and hissed menacingly at him.
    “ Call your damn guard cat off, he won’t let me near you.”
    She smirked condescendingly. “Raz, come here you big, bad boy, and stop scaring Labrador.” As she bent to pick him up, Kyle started across the room and must have noticed her tracking his progress.
    “ Gabs, can you see me?” he asked in barely leashed excitement. He rushed the last few steps, crouching down in front of her and peering into her eyes, ignoring Razor’s attempt to slash him. She promptly planted a foot in the middle of his chest shoving him backwards to land on his butt in the middle of the thick carpet, chuckling at his pained expression.
    “ Not my fault you’re getting slow in your old age,” she said, still grinning wickedly.
    Kyle put on his long-suffering face. “Now that you’ve had your laugh for the morning, can you answer the damn question?” He didn’t bother getting up off the floor.
    Sighing she sobered her attitude. “Yes, I can more or less see you,” she said, squinting slightly as she peered at him. “Well, I can see a big, blurry blob that I imagine must be you. So at least it’s an improvement on before.”
    Kyle heaved a sigh; she imagined it was a sigh of relief that he wouldn’t have to play guide dog forever.
    “ That is really good to hear, I guess it’ll come right on its own then. No Magus interference required.”
    “ Yes, and you can go back to being Wolf, instead of Labrador,” she teased, stroking Razor absent-mindedly.
    “ Aaaawww,” he drawled sadly, “just when I thought that the new nickname would bring the ladies running. All chicks love a cute puppy.” He sighed in mock disappointment. “But, more to the current point, you do realise you can’t hide in here all day. You’re going to have to come