Read Online Forbidden by Leanna Ellis - Free Book Online Page B

rock-solid, unshakable faith. Was it faith or rationalization? Levi had no idea what they were up against, much less the odds of ever finding Rachel. Alive or dead. And without a photograph, the odds of identifying her went down too. “Did she ever go to a dentist, have x-rays taken?”
    Hannah nodded. “Of course.”
    â€œWell, that’s a start.” He saw a piece of paper on the counter, grabbed it along with a pencil, then thrust it in front of Hannah. “I need you to write out a description of your sister: hair, eye color, height, weight, moles, scars, tattoos, any identifying marks, birth date. Anything else you can add that might be helpful.”
    His statement was met with silence. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, waiting… Waiting for what? Roc wasn’t even sure what to do, where to go. Would going to the police help Rachel? Maybe he’d let Levi handle that aspect, so he could begin searching. But where?
    â€œWhere was she last seen?”
    â€œAt the Troyers’,” Levi said while Hannah wrote out a description of Rachel on the paper. “She was working there each morning, picking strawberries and vegetables for their stand.”
    â€œThe Troyers on Slow Gait Road?”
    Levi nodded.
    â€œAnd who was the last to see Rachel alive?”
    Hannah flinched, and he immediately regretted phrasing it that way. But at the same time, she had to understand what they were up against. Or maybe she already knew—as long as she knew there were worse things than death.
    Levi reached over and took hold of Hannah’s hand. “Eli Troyer. He’s but a boy.”
    â€œCan I talk to him?”
    â€œHe doesn’t know anything.”
    â€œLevi—” Hannah stopped herself.
    The corners of Levi’s mouth compressed. “I spoke to him earlier. He knew nothing.”
    Hannah twisted her hands together. “That’s what he said.”
    Roc raised an eyebrow of doubt. Obviously Hannah hadn’t believed the boy. “Won’t hurt for me to try.”
    â€œThen I will take you to him.”
    â€œCan you go after them…Akiva and Rachel?” Hannah laid the pen across the paper. “Bring my sister home?”
    Roc rubbed the back of his neck. Where would he begin? Where would Akiva have gone? And if the vampire wanted revenge, why hadn’t he killed Rachel here? Why hadn’t he left her body for Hannah to find? There were too many questions, too many unknowns. “Yes to the first, but I don’t know on the second. No promises.”
    â€œWe aren’t asking for any guarantees. The matter is in the Lord’s hands.” Levi stood and walked to the door where he retrieved his hat off a peg in the wall. “We don’t have much, Roc, but we will pay you.”
    â€œI don’t want your money, Levi.”
    â€œWhat do you want?” Hannah asked.
    Roc released a pent-up breath. “For this to be over.”

Chapter Eight
    The automobile glided along the highway, passing vegetable stands, suburbs, and eventually the state line. Blinking only rarely, Rachel stared at the streaks of colors, unfazed by the speed of departure. Her mind fixated on nothing. She wasn’t nervous about riding in the car like some Amish were. She wasn’t worried about the future. She wasn’t afraid of the man sitting next to her. She simply felt numb.
    Greens and blues and yellows mingled and shifted from one color to the next until it became a rainbow of hues, distorting any distinctive lines and blurring all landmarks into a kaleidoscope of hazy objects that meant nothing and couldn’t hold her attention.
    Even though bright sunlight streamed through the windows, the air-conditioning kept her cool and comfortable. Eventually the constant blowing against her face irritated her, and she angled the vent away from her. A light cascade of music trickled out of the speakers behind her. Mostly