Grey (The Romany Outcasts Series, Book 1) by Christi J. Whitney

Author:Christi J. Whitney [Whitney, Christi J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
ISBN: 9780008113582
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2015-04-29T23:00:00+00:00

16. Calm and Panic

No lights were on in the Gypsy Ink when I returned. Had Hugo gone again? The sign wasn’t in the window, and the door was unlocked. An icy shiver crept up my arms. Something didn’t feel right.

I pushed open the door, and as I did, a white object fluttered to the tile floor. It was another scrap of paper, and on one side – in the same heavy handwriting – was another message.

1163 Chimeras Street

Do not keep us waiting.

I shoved the paper in my pocket and eased the door shut. The air inside was stifling, like a humid summer night. The shop smelled of rotting fish. I lingered near the window, trying to see into the waiting room, but there wasn’t enough light. I concentrated harder, and then, suddenly, my surroundings flashed into vivid detail, as though someone had switched on a lamp. My freaky ability was back. Slowly, I let myself adjust to my enhanced vision.

One purple couch was overturned, and magazines littered the floor. Wisps of mist clung to the walls. My shoulders contracted, and I forced them back. I inched closer. My movements were unnaturally silent. I gripped the edge of the counter and peered around it. There was a body on the floor, turned upward and lifeless.

It was Hugo.

My gut screamed a warning, and then something struck me from behind. Pain lanced my shoulders as I hit the counter. I tried to catch my balance, but the attacker engulfed me. We tumbled to the ground. Its weight crushed my lungs, and I struggled to break free. I shoved my feet into the dark mass, snarled, and kicked as hard as I could.

My attacker fell back and rolled into a crouch. A snarl of equal fury resonated from beneath the heavy clothing it wore. Instinct took over. I launched into the figure, hurtling us both into the wall. The picture over the counter jolted free and shattered. Glass sprayed across the floor.

His arm caught me across the mouth. I slid across the glass-strewn floor, shards embedding in my skin. The figure suddenly changed tactics and lunged for Hugo’s lifeless body. I blocked his path, slashing at the air with my claws. The figure screeched and retreated. I leapt over my brother protectively, letting out a threatening hiss.

I braced for a counter-attack. But it never came. My attacker regarded me from under a deep hood. Despite my night vision, the face was lost in shadows. As I watched, mist formed out of nothing, growing so thick I couldn’t see. In the space of a breath, it was gone. And it had taken the figure with it.

I glared at the empty shop, body shaking with adrenaline, daring the thing to return. Slowly the instinctive haze lifted and released me from its hold. I knelt over my brother’s body. His face was deathly pale. I clasped his shoulders.

‘Hugo!’

He was cold.

‘Oh God…Hugo!’

I shook him, desperate. This wasn’t happening. Why him? Hot tears pricked my eyes. I slumped forward, head bowed.

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