Scion's Freedom (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free Page A

reconstruction,” she said with a very sober look. There was nothing in her face that held anything short of certain conviction.
    “But…how…why…why would anyone do that? So many people died because of it. All those poor children starved amidst the food riots. Whole cities burned to the ground when firemen couldn’t communicate or get fuel because the power grid went down. Filthy untreated water killed countless numbers of sick and elderly. Who would do such a thing? Why would anyone want to do such a thing?”
    Cassy was flabbergasted. The thought of any one person or group of people causing so much devastation was horrendous. It made her head spin.
    “Monsters, that’s who,” Erica replied, “And not all of them were the supernatural kind.”
    Cassy sat down on the edge of the bed. There wasn’t enough support in her knees to keep her standing. Whatever Erica knew was dangerous, very dangerous.
    “It’s almost sunup. Let’s get this cleaned up and go to bed. I have to go into the office at nightfall, and you have people to help employ,” Erica said and gave her a smile. It was clear she was dismissing Cassy, as politely as she could.
    The room was tidied up in no time. Erica put the box in the kitchen to take back to the office. Cassy tucked the laptop into a padded messenger bag.
    “Happy dreams,” Erica called as she shut her door.
    It sounded to Cassy as if there was something final to the way Erica said it. It felt more like a good-bye than a well-wish. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought. The women had been best friends since Cassy was born. She and Erica had grown up together like sisters.
    “Happy dreams to you, too,” Cassy replied. There were so many unsaid things between them. Cassy almost went back to Erica’s room to say them all. Before reaching her bedroom door, the sun touched the horizon. Cassy felt weak and sleepy. She knew it was unwise to remain up, pulled the shades, and lay down.
    Cassy awoke to silence. The usual beeping of an alarm was absent. A quick check of the clock told her why. It had been unplugged and the alarm turned off. Annoyed, she jammed the plug back into the wall. The battery backup had held the time. She was thirty minutes late!
    “Crap, crap, crap!” Cassy hated being late. Somehow it made the whole day feel off. She scrambled around the room pulling out the first pantsuit and shoes she could find. Her hair went into a loose ponytail. The makeup went into her purse with the intent she would apply it at work.
    Until she reached the front door, it had not occurred to her she was alone. Erica and her box were gone. The alarm clock had been unplugged to ensure Erica could leave by herself. A sinking feeling settled into her center. Something was very wrong.
    Cassy went to work not caring about being late anymore. She arrived to a line waiting for the door to be unlocked. The day went by almost on autopilot. She assured those still waiting at the end of business day that they were free to take home an application and drop it by the next evening. Saddened faces mirroring her own took the forms and walked away.
    The ride home felt like it took days. There was a mixed feeling of dread and anticipation about what might await her return. Would Erica be there? Would she be okay? Would the apartment be ransacked? Cassy rarely worried about things in such a fashion. She was almost grateful for the heavy traffic.
    She was careful to keep her guard up as she climbed the flights of stairs. Shadows flickered and danced on the landing wall just ahead. Sounds drifted up from the street below in bursts as the building doors opened and closed. Her stomach fluttered with adrenaline. She flattened herself against the wall and took one slow step at a time toward the top. Whispers now accompanied the shadows. They grew larger and louder. Someone was approaching.
    Three steps from the top a group of girls burst into view. They were whispering and giggling with one another. One let