Read Online Storm by Danielle Ellison - Free Book Online

It’s always like this when I feel like I’m losing control. It’s my escape. But today, I need to fight it. To not be that person who needs to kill demons for sanity. I need something else to focus on, so I drive.
    I don’t have a direction when I get in the car. It’s probably for the best, since it’s a Saturday in Washington, D.C., and traffic sucks because no one here can drive. I turn the music up and head toward Interstate 495. I only have an hour before our meeting, but it’s a short break. At least on I-495 I can go fast. Mostly. Sixty miles per hour doesn’t really satiate the need for speed.
    Why did he have to mention my mom? Why?
    My mom is dead.
    I spent years looking for her, following clues about where she could be, and then I find her and she’s a demon. Now she’s dust.
    My mom chose that as her ending. She chose being one of those as her life. She wanted this more than being with me. I can’t forgive her for that. What was so bad about me that she couldn’t stay?
    Him.
    Victor Prescott. He was the bad thing. He’s always the problem.
    I hate him.
    My phone rings and even though it’s Penelope I don’t answer it. I need a minute. I’m allowed to be angry. I’m trying to stay strong for her, encouraging and in contour. But I can’t be that right now. Not right now. I need a minute.
    I don’t answer and she sends me a text.
    Maple didn’t make it.
    Shit.
    When I look up toward the road, I swear I drive past what looks like Vassago with a long white beard walking on the side of the road, but I look back in the rearview mirror, and there’s nothing there.

Chapter Nine
    Penelope
    Carter sits next tome at the meeting. Rafe informs the others about Maple’s passing, funeral, and offers a moment of silence. Her funeral’s tomorrow. Rafe and Sabrina switch places.
    “In less than twenty-four hours, there have been thirty-four instances with registered Statics,” she says. She stands on a dais in front of us all, and I have to admit that she looks regal. “There is no common denominators, aside from their status, no expectation of when or whom or why.”
    “Four hundred and seventy-nine registered Statics in our region have yet to manifest,” Rafe Ezrati adds. “We must determine an effective course of action to control the Statics.”
    It’s in my head, but I feel like their eyes are on me when they speak.
    Victor Prescott stands. When he does it’s like the room shifts. Everyone was paying attention before, but now they’re all hyper-focused. “Let us remind you that it is important that Non protective measures be kept intact during this time. We implore you to study the new material we added to the Witches News Network Daily .”
    I look over at Carter, at the stiff line of his jaw, and as much as he hopes for a different future, I really can see him leading. It’s part of him, in some way, and we both know how hard it is to hide and deny a part of yourself. Even the parts you don’t want.
    “We believe every Static is susceptible to this,” Victor says. “There does not seem to be a reason or pattern among them—as it is affecting every age group—so we must be on alert with all.”
    Someone in the back of the room stands, a guy, judging by the deep timbre of his voice. “You make it sound like it’s a disease. It’s magic.”
    Some murmurs flood the room, but they stop when Rafe puts up his hand. “All Statics are temporarily unstable. If you see a Static acting oddly, report it. Use your skills to keep those around you safe. You are trained Enforcers, taught to be prepared in any circumstance. We need you now.”
    Thinking about the Triad and watching them in action are two totally contrasting experiences. In my head, they’re always wrong. Always smoothing things over with smiles. But in reality, they’re beacons. Sabrina and Rafe aren’t as demanding as Victor, but they might as well be the Justice League. Or the Avengers. I’d hate to be on their bad