Damned and Cursed (Book 2): Witch's Kurse Read Online Free Page B

Nathan and studied the basement, trying to think ahead.
    "I've got all the information I need," she said, tapping her nose.
    Regardless of the fate of Nathan's family, she knew she wouldn't step foot in his basement again.   She tied the curtain in a knot and gathered her folders and flash drives.   They were on a corner desk.   Only a drop or two of blood managed to find the folders.   She was nearly to the steps when her eyes fell on the briefcase she'd brought with her.
    Marie hated herself for what she was about to say, but she had no choice.   Opportunity had arrived, and she'd learned decades ago that the only person who would truly look after her was herself.
    "Nathan, I'm guessing your family is still okay.   They'll keep them alive, as a bargaining chip.   And I can save them.   But…what are they worth to you?"
    His eyes widened.   "What?"
    She gestured to the briefcase.   "Are they worth fifty thousand dollars?"
    It took only a second to grasp her meaning.   "Yes!   For Christ's sake, yes.   Take the money."
    "Thank you.   Let's go."
    They left the house, and Marie hesitated as she stood on his front porch.   The streets were empty as the night had finally taken over.   A single car drove past, but didn't slow down.   She was suddenly very conscious of the fact she was covered in blood and wearing a curtain.
    Nathan angled for his car.
    "No," she said.   "My car.   You drive.   The keys are in my purse behind the seat, since this is such a safe neighborhood."
    He didn't laugh at her joke as he slid behind the wheel.   She set her belongings in the trunk before walking to the middle of the street.   She lifted her nose to the air and inhaled, short, steady sniffs.   A mix of scents flooded her nose before she locked onto three of them.   Terri, Mackenzie, and the third henchman who ran away.
    She squatted as low to the ground as the curtain would allow to get a better scent.   She'd assumed they all went in the same direction, but that wasn't the case.   The henchman's trail led down the east side of the street, while Nathan's family went the opposite.   Eddie and his men parked somewhere else and walked to Nathan's house, so the henchman was on foot.   Was he running to Nathan's family, or for the Mexican border?   Marie wasn't sure which scent to follow.
    Nathan backed her car out of the driveway while leaning out the window.
    "What are you doing?" he called.   "We have to go."
    She climbed in the passenger's side.   The last thing she wanted was blood in her car.   Judging from the lack of activity on the street, no one heard the gunshots in Nathan's basement.   Still, if the police did show up, she wanted to be long gone, along with her car.
    "Where are we going?"
    "West.   Just go down the street.   I have their scents.   Just drive slow and keep calm."
    He managed to drive slow, but calm was a state of mind he wouldn't achieve for quite a while.
    "Keep calm?   My family is in danger.   I just watched a—"   He could believe he was saying the word.   "A fucking werewolf kill two men.   You bit their limbs off, Marie."
    She frowned.   Her taste buds were human once again, and the blood in her mouth didn't taste good.   Normally she'd wait much longer between changes, after the taste was long gone.
    "Don't remind me.   It'll take a gallon of mouthwash to feel right again.   Turn left here."
    She stuck her head halfway out the window, simply following the scent.   She made him stop once at an intersection while she picked out their direction.   Nathan was agitated, but seemed to be holding up well, considering the circumstances.
    "So, a werewolf," he said.   "I see it's a full moon.   You can change whenever you want?"
    She rolled her eyes.   She didn't want to go into too much detail about herself, but if it kept Nathan from panicking she would oblige him somewhat.
    "Yeah.   A full moon simply makes me stronger.   But…you wouldn't want to meet me in a dark