Read Online Flight of the Crow by Melanie Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

8
    Sam met Bryn on the stairs. When her former lover pulled her into an embrace, Bryn pushed her away. “What’s wrong?” Sam asked. She was dressed for the lab in a rubber apron and men’s clothing. Her heavy, black-rubber goggles were pushed up on her short hair.
    Bryn dropped her gaze. “I love Quinn. I feel like I’m being unfaithful when I’m close to you.”
    Sam snarled. “We’ve been together for three hundred years. How can you say that?”
    Tears ran down Bryn’s cheeks. “I don’t know. I just do.”
    Sam clutched her shoulders and shook her. “He’s going to die! He’ll grow old right before your eyes and die if you don’t kill him during sex. Your love is toxic and you’re completely aware of this fact.”
    Bryn nodded. “I know these things but I can’t help loving him. And I can’t betray him. Don’t ask me to.”
    Sam growled deep in her throat. “This is crazy and stupid and it won’t last.”
    Bryn brushed the tears out of her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
    â€œWhat am I supposed to do? I love you and only you, Bryn. This is torture for me.”
    Bryn started up the stairs, stopped and turned around. “Please, if you love me, help me find Fenix. She’s run off.”
    Sam snorted. “Of course she has. You treat her like she’s three years old.”
    â€œLend me Fingle. I need his tracking skills.”
    â€œYou know you may have his services when you need them. You don’t have to ask.”
    â€œHe was your familiar. I feel as though asking you is the right thing to do.”
    Sam stiffened and played with the goggles on her head. “Take care of yourself. I sense you’re about to do something dangerous and no doubt crazy.”
    Bryn nodded. “I will. You be careful down in the basement. No blowing us to hell.”
    Sam smirked and batted her eyes. “If Quinn was at home, I might be tempted.”
    â€œDon’t hate him because of me.”
    â€œI’ll try but I won’t promise. I am who I have always been.”
    Bryn ran up the stairs and changed to a walking dress with a small bustle in her favorite dark purple. She buttoned her walking boots and headed for the morning room. Fingle was there dusting the shelves of the china cabinet. “I need your tracking abilities, Fingle. Sam gave her consent.”
    â€œYes, ma’am. Who we be chasing?”
    â€œDraak Priest. I feel sure Fenix is trying to find him so we can either beat her to it or find her following him.”
    Fingle nodded. “Are we leaving now, Miss?”
    â€œYes, put your dusting cloth away.”
    They took a cab to le Rouge Derriere . The club was locked up and dark. When they descended from the cab, Fingle began to transform. His nose grew to outrageous proportions, his ears lengthened and his eyes drooped. He always slightly resembled a bloodhound, now he was more bloodhound than man. He dropped to all fours and sniffed around the front of the building. “Miss Fenix been here recently.”
    Bryn followed him into the alley and behind the building. “I knew she would try to find Priest.”
    Behind the club, where the police had recently vacated and the dead body had lain, Fingle sniffed and searched for a scent in a back and forth pattern that covered everything. He rose from his crouch next to Bryn. “Been a murder here. Smells it with my sniffer, I does.”
    â€œCan you detect Priest’s scent?” Fingle had tracked Priest so many times he was very familiar with the evil man’s unique odor.
    â€œHe been here all right. He’s the one what done the killin’. I smell his murdering rage and his…excuse me, Miss, his excitement. He like the killing and he does nasty stuff to the bodies.”
    Bryn smiled grimly. “Find him, Fingle. Take me to his lair.”
    Fingle set off toward the red light district, the