Read Online Soul Cage by Phaedra Weldon - Free Book Online Page B

was jumbled and made no sense. A piece of the Grimoire was out of the
book. It was torn. Dags was sick. And Maureen was
somehow… here ?
"What were you doing to the Grimoire that made Dags sick? Why
did you come into the kitchen and accuse Jason of hurting
the Grimoire —"
she held out her free hand as if to indicate a pause "—and not
hurting Dags. You're more concerned over the book than
him."
    "That is not true. I love
Dags! And I wasn't doing anything. He was fine before Jason took
him off to Little Five Points—like I really believe that's what
they were doing. You all must think I'm a fool or something. You
want to break us apart!"
    "No," Nona said. "Why
would we as your friends want to destroy your happiness?" The
double meaning to the question was clear.
    Rhonda's eyes filled with
tears. "It's not fair…" she said in a hoarse voice. "The memories
are gone—it was an accident—I told all of you what happened. He had
a chance to go back to her—but he chose me."
    "He chose you because he
still had memories of you," Nona said. "And none of Zoë. Or so you
thought. But when he saw Zoë again," she nodded to Dags. "He did
start to remember, didn't he? But he was remembering because of
what you couldn't rewrite." She gently pulled the paper from Dags'
grasp. "Is this you trying to rewrite Dags' thoughts again? Is it
torn because he tried to fight you this time?"
    Rhonda's features
hardened. "You think you've got it all figured out, don't
you."
    "No. I don't." She looked
up at Jason. "Get him to the infirmary. Tel, you and Umayma go with
him. Joe, we need to have a little talk with Rhonda."
    The others filed out of
the room and closed the door.
    Joe released her hand and
stood beside Nona. "What's wrong with you?" he asked in a
surprisingly calm voice. "Where's the fun chick I used to
date?"
    But Rhonda crossed her
arms over her chest and glared. "When did you get so fucking
powerful? You always had that kind juice in you, Halloran? Face
it—the only reason you dated me was because it was the only way to
get close to Zoë."
    "In case you forgot,
sweetheart, Zoë was angry at you. How in the hell do you
rationalize me getting close to Zoë will happen while I'm seeing
her arch enemy?"
    Rhonda looked
away.
    Nona sighed and lifted the
page up in her right hand where it promptly vanished.
    Joe and Rhonda's jaws
dropped. "How…" Joe said.
    "How did you learn that
spell?" Rhonda said.
    "Disappointed you're not
the only one who knows it? I've been in possession of that spell
longer than you've been alive, Rhonda." Nona lowered her arm and
brushed her hands together. "Now, what were you trying to do when
you made him sick."
    "I didn't make him
sick."
    "Okay, when he suddenly became
ill?"
    But Rhonda didn't
answer.
    Nona sighed. "I don't know
you anymore, Rhonda. And I don't know why. It's my guess you were
checking the Grimoire to make sure no one tampered with it—but something happened
which culminated in either you ripping that page out, or that page
flying out on its own. Or," and she tilted her head to her right
shoulder. "Something inside pushed it out."
    All three of them were
quiet for a few minutes, until Rhonda finally moved and sat on the
edge of her bed. "It's all falling apart. Even when he can't
remember her, he notices her," she said in a soft voice. "He talks
about her even when he doesn't realize it. What does she like? Is
she really seeing that bad cop? You think she likes old movies? Why
is she always avoiding me?"
    "You can't erase every
memory he has of Zoë, Rhonda," Nona said in a kind voice. "You run
the risk of destroying memories of you as well."
    Rhonda looked
away.
    Nona took in a deep breath
as she turned to the door. Joe followed her. Once there she glanced
back at Rhonda. "Rhonda Orly, as the CEO of the Ishmael Society,
acting chairman and by the blade of Azriel's rage, I do hereby
order you to stay in your rooms for the duration of Dags'
illness."
    Rhonda was on her feet.
"No I—"
    But Joe