Read Online The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber - Free Book Online

hand, Percy felt a surge of energy blaze up her arm and into the core of her body. Elijah closed his eyes. He slipped a hand from Josephine’s and snapped his fingers. All the lingering and curious citizens wandered off, as if they’d not seen a thing out of the ordinary.
    A fresh wind whipped the edges of Percy’s skirt and billowed Alexi’s cloak. The same bluish flame that had roused her from the brink of death now surrounded them in a sapphire circle. A strange, ancient harmony rose, as if the breeze had tuned strings for them. Alexi’s voice cut above it all, in a private command of peace. He then turned calmly to Rebecca.
    “Third-floor den, top of the stairs,” the headmistress said. “Young male, catatonic. Luminous.”
    “Thank you,” Alexi said, turning to Percy. “You, my dear, will remain directly behind me.” His fellows he told, “The rest as per custom.”
    The company broke into formation, Alexi at the head, Michael directly at his side, Jane at the other. Percy furrowed her brow as the Irishwoman tied a leather apron around her waist that appeared stained with a dark substance of indiscernible origin. Alexi’s steady hand guided Percy behind him, Rebecca close beside. Josephine had slung a rectangular canvas bag over her shoulder and brought up the rear with Elijah, who was scouting for further passersby.
    “Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more,” Alexi stated.
    The house was charged. At the bidding of Michael’s upraised hand, doors swung open. They passed through the entrance foyer and up two grand sets of stairs, clearing befuddled maids with startled cries along the way. With calm waves, Elijah managed to send most lazing off with dumb expressions, lulling the tumult. The Guard tore into a fine room with carved cherry paneling from floor to ceiling. A long bar at one end, a wide hearth at the other, lush chairs and a few gaming tables sat sportingly in between. Ornate gaslight sconces burned low.
    A pale young man lay crumpled and shuddering on the floor, in a disturbing state of disarray. Alexi directed a powerful gesture at him, and a cord of blue lightning shot forth. The twitching heap of a man groaned, rolling onto his back, and Percy heard a hiss the rest of the group could not.
    Jane rushed forward, crossing herself. She lifted a hand glowing with healing light, her palm a small star. She touched the victim’s ashen face. His features were revealed as blood magically faded from his cheeks, unmatting from the place upon his crown where a gash mended beneath Jane’s fingertips. “Aren’t you a pretty one,” she murmured, having takenhis head onto her lap. Percy grimly realized the dark stains upon her apron were from similarly supernatural wounds.
    Josephine strode the room, examining each wall as if measuring space. Rebecca took notes in a small book. Michael moved about, peering at his comrades as if determining symptoms. Elijah approached the subject upon the floor.
    “What is that suit you’re wearing?” He bent over the body. “These nouveau riche. I can’t bear it. Excuse me, Miss Connor.” Making a face, Elijah bent closer and touched a fingertip to the gentleman’s nose. An odd shudder worked him back to his feet.
    “Name?” Rebecca asked.
    “Matthew Van Courtland. Dutch merchant. Textiles.” Elijah’s apparent disdain deepened. He stared down at the supine body. “Whatever are you doing in England, sir? You see, it hasn’t been amenable to you, has it? Why don’t you leave colonialism to us, thank y—”
    “Nature of possession?” Rebecca curtly interrupted.
    “I broke free,” the spirit cried. Percy winced, knowing she was the only one who could hear. “But there’s a black dawn coming for you, just like the black plague—but for your mind! You’ll ne’er be free. We’ll turn the tables on you, just wait.” Percy shuddered but said nothing.
    Elijah slipped off one shoe and slid his foot beneath Van Courtland’s