Read Online Darkest Misery by Tracey Martin - Free Book Online

to have to investigate myself, I might as well start questioning people now.
    I cleared my throat. “Have you made any progress on finding out how the Phoenix furies learned about me and Mitch?” I aimed my question at Tom, but I kept my senses focused on Ingrid. While I was fairly certain Tom had nothing to do with it, I considered everyone else in the fraternity suspect.
    Ingrid’s emotions, however, registered very little with me. Like with Tom, it was wicked hard to read her, and my stomach sank. If that was going to be true of all members of Le Confrérie , then the task I’d set myself would be a lot harder.
    Tom sighed. “No, I haven’t. Between making sure Grace Park got settled, and with what happened in Sydney yesterday, I’ve been preoccupied.”
    â€œWhat is your concern?” Ingrid asked me.
    I turned to her. “If the only people who knew about our trip to Phoenix are part of your group, then one of them must have tipped off the furies.”
    I could have phrased my response in a less accusatory way, but I’d been hoping to needle a reaction out of her. It seemed the only way I could read Tom’s emotions was if I annoyed him, so possibly that would work on her too.
    But alas, although I did clearly annoy Ingrid, judging by how she stiffened, I still couldn’t get a clear taste of her emotions. “Impossible. No one is invited into the Brotherhood without an outstanding service record and thorough background checks. Everyone knows the seriousness of what we’re up against.”
    â€œAnd yet the furies found out what we were doing.” I almost added and even the CIA has moles but didn’t bother. Unless I could catch Ingrid in a blatant lie, I obviously wasn’t going to pick up on deception from her. Her emotions were as well muted as Tom’s were. I’d need a new tactic.
    â€œHow is your training going?” Ingrid asked, abruptly changing the topic.
    â€œSlowly.”
    Tom lifted his chin a touch higher. “I’ve made sure Jessica’s been given access to all the materials she needs to start catching up. We’re fortunate that she already has some physical self-defense training, but we’ve had little time for her to take up weapons work.”
    Ingrid tapped her fingers against Tom’s desk. “Have you spent any time in a charm lab learning to create your own? Learned basic detection and disarmament charms? Sparred with Agent Kassin so he’s seen exactly how much more training you need? Have you finished your reading about the theory surrounding how the pred prison was created? Did you—?”
    â€œNo.” I gritted my teeth. “We’ve been busy trying to track down your other victims, and you’ve given me a lot of reading material.”
    â€œThen you should get to work.”
    I was happy to take that as a dismissal, but Ingrid stopped me before I could leave by laying a hand on my arm. “Have her charms been updated?” She asked the question of Tom, as though I weren’t there.
    â€œNot yet,” Tom said.
    â€œI would suggest making that a first priority.” Ingrid let go of me. “I will call Theo and have him take care of it. It will take several days.”
    I squeezed the pendant below my shirt. Necklace give me strength. “I don’t need my magical defenses upgraded. I’m sure Tom’s told you what I can do.”
    Ingrid got her phone out. “These are not just defenses we will give you. These are charms that will help blunt your emotions from preds. They will make it easier for you to be concealed. They will provide protection should you get hurt. You should also have the usual speed, strength and energy increases.”
    Okay, I had to admit that didn’t sound so pointless, particularly after what happened in Phoenix. Some speed and strength charms might have served me well. And charms to conceal my emotions from preds? Well,