Eye of the Storm (The Charmed) Read Online Free Page A

Chase, I need to know some things. It will help me find out what they’re up against if I understand what you’ve been through.”
    “Yes?” Frank interjected.
    “How did you know Lyla might be ‘the one’, it couldn’t have just been her birth date?”
    Constance spoke up. “When I found out I was pregnant and did the timeline, I knew she could be born in October or November. We lived in a large community in Venice, California. We were kind of beach kids at the time, always in bathing suits. This was after our time with you, during our carefree days of being young twenty-something’s. Anyway, the rest of our group found my change in clothing peculiar so they started pecking around. We moved when my best friend at the time found my notes on my desk about when I thought I was due.”
    Something hit the back of Sam’s mind. “Constance, who was that friend?”
    “Emily Hartkey.”
    Sam thought for a moment. “Name doesn’t ring any bells.”
    “We left in the middle of the night, leaving everyone behind. At first it was an easy pregnancy to hide, you know how the higher ups keep tabs on the women due around that time. I didn’t want to be under a microscope so we found a convent, but one with retired nuns.”
    “Where?”
    “Here. There’s an island with a beautiful spit of land that houses them. The one who delivered her was Sister Dorothy.”
    “Okay, go on.”
    “So when I couldn’t conceal it any more, I moved in with the nuns. They took great care of me but Frank wasn’t allowed anywhere near me. It was really hard on him.” She reached out and grasped his hand. “He stayed holed up in different hotels around the area just to stay near.”
    “And when she showed up on November first?”
    “I panicked. The nuns said they had a vow of secrecy so we were safe but Frank and I began our life on the run from that point forward. Sam, we didn’t want this for her.” Constance wiped a tear from the corner of her eye.
    Frank squeezed his wife’s hand. “Is it true Sam, does she really heighten Chase’s powers?”
    Sam looked down. The whole situation was hard on him as well. “Yes.” He sat back and rubbed a hand over his face. “When he and Lyla vanished, we all thought the worst but common sense said they were safe, how could they not be?”
    “Have you heard from them yet?” Asked Constance, a look of hope riddled her weary features.
    “We’ve searched all of Florida but now Jaden has moved out of cell reach. I’ll get you word as soon as I can. Constance, Frank, they’re safe. Trust me. Did you research what Lyla would be up against?”
    Constance spoke up. “Yes, within reason. We knew she would have the marks if she met someone and it would ultimately lead to madness and death.” Her voice cracked slightly.
    Frank sighed. “Listen, we knew that every time we researched it, a red flag would go up, and next thing you knew we were moving again. The power hungry are everywhere.” He spit the last words out.
    “I’ll get word to you as soon as I can.”
    “Thank you Sam, you’ve been a good friend.” Lyla’s mother looked a million years old. Eighteen years of running were catching up to her fast.
    They said their goodbyes and Sam walked back into the airport. He didn’t want them to know he had an appointment in two hours at Pike Place Market about a certain book….

Chapter 4

Hope
    B rendan woke early the next day. He was restless from the exchange between Harley and himself and couldn’t stand to be in the same tent as her without being able to so much as speak to her. He got up and built a fire near the ledge again. Once he felt a little more settled, he decided he would scout on ahead. He left a hasty note in the sand and proceeded up the trail alone. Brendan could feel the charms all over the place. It was disturbing. No area should be full of so much mischief. There was a reason the charms were there and he knew it was probably Chase and Lyla. Brendan had worked up a