Read Online Flight from Mayhem by Yasmine Galenorn - Free Book Online Page A

decided to take a look, just in case she decided to booby-trap his office, and sure enough, she left him a gift all right. An absolutely gorgeous silver stake sitting on his desk.”
    I grimaced. That it was a stake was bad enough, but a
silver
one? That was adding insult to injury. “At least she didn’t leave it rigged up to stab him, but I’d say that’s a clear threat.”
    And the kicker was, if she made good with it, nobody would convict her. Vampires had no legal rights and could be murdered without recrimination from the courts. While the Seattle Vampire Nexus was working on putting a stop to that, vamp-hate groups were numerous, and the religious fervor was a small but vocal—and active—minority.
    â€œYeah. He came in when I was examining it, making sure it wasn’t triggered with a spell or anything of that nature. I had to tell him about it—this wasn’t something I could just keep quiet. What if she tries for blood next time?” He cleared his throat. “She’s persona non grata around here, obviously, but you should be careful, too. She’s not happy with either of you.”
    I nodded, realizing that being in a relationship meant you were saddled with baggage no matter what—whether it was your own past or your partner’s past. “I will be. Meanwhile, is there a way to get that key back from her?”
    â€œNo, but Alex has a locksmith coming out tonight to change the locks. And the building is warded against anybody just popping in. I don’t know if you knew that.”
    I nodded. “Vaguely, though it was never clearly explained to me. Somebody named Ysella?”
    Ralph motioned for me to follow him. “We’d better get in there, and yes. Ysella’s a sorceress. She’s Fae, and she hires herself out as a warding expert for a number of people. We met her through Carter. Let’s go, or Alex will chew our heads off.”
    We filed into his office. He glanced at Ralph, then at me as we took our seats next to Lydia. She seemed a bit cowed, and I felt rather sorry for her. Alex could be intimidating when he wanted to be, and right then, he wasn’t in a very diplomatic mood.
    I leaned forward. “Lydia, I’m Shimmer. Would you like a cup of coffee, or some water or something?”
    She gave me a grateful smile. “Thanks, coffee would be great. No cream, one sugar.”
    I quickly exited. Bette swiveled around in her chair as I poured the coffee and added the sugar. “The girl’s terrified, or looks it,” I said. “Oh, and I don’t know if Ralph told you, but Glenda was here. She left a silver stake for Alex. Locksmith will be here to change the locks pretty soon.”
    â€œI found out about it. Alex is madder than a hornet andhas every right to be. I’ll keep an eye on things out here, then. You’d better get back in there.” She waved me off.
    I hurried back in, handing Lydia her coffee, as I gave Alex a concentrated look to say,
Lighten up, dude
.
    He stared at me for a moment, then relented. “I’m sorry, Miss Wagner. I had a rather unpleasant surprise waiting for me when I arrived at the office this evening. I don’t mean to take it out on you. Please, accept my apologies for my behavior.” When he wanted to, Alex could pull off the boyish rogue act pretty easily, and Lydia bought it up. He genuinely meant it—Alex wasn’t a player at all—but the stake had obviously unnerved him.
    Lydia ducked her head and flashed us all a smile. “That’s all right. My day hasn’t been too great either. That’s why I’m here. I need your help.”
    â€œShimmer, when you and Bette arrived, Lydia was telling Ralph and me that she’s set something in motion that she can’t control. She’s a witch. Lydia, why don’t you elaborate now that we’re all here?”
    I pulled out my notebook and pen, as Ralph set up his