Read Online Bone Walker by Angela Korra'ti - Free Book Online Page A

Christopher had put an arm around me, trying to keep me from rolling onto the floor. Before he could speak, I blurted, “Something’s wrong.”
    He didn’t contradict me, which worried me. Neither did Millicent, which worried me more. The Warder First stomped in from Carson and Jake’s side of the house with enough lightning in her eyes that she could have set off earthquakes with a single glance. “Jude’s gone,” she barked without preamble.
    â€œWhat!” I pulled out of Christopher’s embrace and scrambled to my feet. “Gone where? Did you see her? When did she leave?”
    â€œCan’t have been more than ten minutes ago. Girlie bailed when my pants were down. Literally. Took off when I was in the damn bathroom!”
    Christopher rubbed a hand across his eyes and stood up beside me. “Did you see her before? Had she woken up yet?” His voice was far more alert than I felt. But weariness shadowed his eyes, and his expression was profoundly troubled. “I shouldn’t have dozed off. By the time I felt her leaving, she was already driving away.”
    â€œWe’re Warders, but we’re still only human, boy. Neither of us could have stayed up all night. And damned if I could sense anything different about her, even sleeping right next to her.”
    â€œDid she leave a note?” Stupid question, I was almost certain, since if there’d been one Millie surely would’ve produced it. Still, I had to ask. Likewise, I had to grab my cell phone off the coffee table, and despite her scowl, Millicent gave me a nod of curt approval.
    â€œNot a peep out of her, written or otherwise. She waited till the boys left for work before she took off, too. Get her on that thing if you can. See if she’s answering.”
    No dice. When I tapped Jude’s number in my address book, it rang straight through into her voice mail. “You know the drill,” her recording announced with her typical straightforward cheer. “Message after the beep, yadda yadda, and go for it!”
    I went for it, keeping any trace of anxiousness out of my voice as I chirped into the receiver, “Hey babe. It’s Kendis, what’s with bugging out of here without even saying bye? No rosemary-and-rock-salt bagels for you. Call me!” For good measure, as soon as I flung that message at her, I followed it up with a text. Then I frowned at the Warders. “It’s not like her to run off like that. Not like her at all.”
    â€œWe should go find her.” Christopher got to his feet and studied me, brow furrowed under tousled hair. “To her apartment, if she’s after going there. She’ll be okay, Kenna.”
    Millicent snorted. “We don’t know any such thing, not after what we saw go into her last night. But you’re right. You two kiddies are going to have to go after her. Do it while you’re walking the Wards.”
    â€œWhile
we’re
walking? What about you?” I said, blinking.
    â€œThat Unseelie still sleeping in your bed says one of us needs to stay here.”
    Oh God. Elessir.
I’d forgotten about him in the waking haze, and I glanced down the hallway now as memory snapped back into place. “Is it safe for any of us to leave until we know what’s up with him? What if it takes both of you to keep him from going haywire?”
    â€œI didn’t feel anything from him while I was awake,” Christopher ventured. “Or hear anything, for that matter.”
    â€œYeah, boy’s sleeping like the dead,” said Millie, “and I still ain’t getting hide or hair off him, magically speaking. Jake briefed me on his medical supplies and I ain’t above shooting him up with whatever it takes to keep him asleep either.” She jabbed a finger at me. “I want you back here before he wakes up if you’re what it takes to keep him calm. So git, the both of you.”
    There