Read Online Flight of the Golden Harpy by Susan Klaus - Free Book Online Page A

been yours.” He shivered and breathed hard. Kari saw panic and pain fill his eyes. She tried to embrace him, but the mist covered him, and he was gone.
    She screamed his name, but the forest was empty. She raced through the trees, frantically searching for Shail. Detecting his pain, she was petrified, and her dream had become a nightmare. She trembled and continued calling; a terrible feeling crept into her mind that she would never see him again.
    “Kari, Kari!” she heard a voice in the dream, but it wasn’t Shail’s low silky voice. It was the deep voice of her father. She opened her eyes to the bright bedroom lights, her father’s hand shaking her to awareness. “Kari, are you all right?” he asked.
    She tried to catch her breath and compose herself. “It was a dream,” she said with relief, wiping the perspiration from her forehead.
    “Sounded like a bad dream,” John said.
    Kari rubbed her eyes, tried to focus and think. “It was bad. I’m sorry I woke you, Dad. I’m fine now.”
    “Do you want to talk about it?”
    “No!” She bit her lip. “No, I’m all right.”
    “Okay. I’ll go back to bed.” He left her bedside.
    “Dad, is old Doc still in Westend?”
    “He’s still there, but somewhat retired. Why?”
    “I’ll go see him tomorrow. Maybe he has something so I can sleep through the night.”
    “I’m sure he can take care of that. See you in the morning,” he said, turning off the lights and shutting the door.
    Kari curled up in the pillows and stared into the shadowy room. Shail had admitted there was a spell, but it soon would be broken. What did that mean? Was he releasing her or was he coming for her? He had said that his love was always hers. She smiled. The moment she saw him, she also loved him. Now she agonized over his pain and fear. Why was he so scared? It was uncharacteristic of the bold golden. In previous dreams, she had detected his devotion and passion. Why was this dream so different and horrible? “My imagination is getting the better of me,” she said. “They’re only dreams.”
    *   *   *
    The morning light spilled from the balcony and illuminated the floor. Kari slowly opened her eyes and smelled baking bread. The household was up and already at work. Throwing on a robe, she ambled down to the kitchen. Maria was slicing the bread.
    “Hello, Maria,” Kari said, walking into the expansive kitchen.
    “Good morning, Miss Kari. What would you like for breakfast?”
    “Some juice.”
    “That’s not much of a breakfast,” Maria grumbled while she poured juice into a glass. “Your father is in his den. He wants to see you when you’re finished eating.”
    Kari took a sip. “I’ll see him now.” Leaving her drink, she walked to the den door and knocked.
    “Come,” was the answer behind the door. Kari went in and her father looked up from behind his desk com. “Just fix it,” he ranted to the person on the com screen. He pushed the disconnect key, and the screen dissolved into the desk. “Sorry—business,” he said to Kari “Have a seat. I’m glad you’re here.” He stood up and paced the room. “Did you sleep all right?”
    “Yes, I don’t remember any more dreams.”
    “Old Doc can help, but be warned, he’s still cantankerous as ever,” he said with a nervous laugh. He walked to a window and stared out. “What I must tell you is very hard. It has to do with your mother. Because of her, I sent you to Earth. Do you know anything about her?”
    “Not really. Grandpa said she was killed in some freak accident,” Kari said.
    John pushed the hair from his forehead and sighed. “She’s been gone twenty years, and I still miss her,” he said. “You’re very much like her. When I saw you yesterday, I thought I was seeing a ghost. She was strong and beautiful and loved the jungle like you.” He put his hand to his mouth and cleared his throat. “We were very happy together. I want you to know that. And when you were born, I thought