Soul Whisperer Read Online Free Page A

cavity, dragging a section of glistening intestine between sharp white teeth.
    A cry of horror escaped her. One creature looked up, staring with the fixed biopic focus of all predators.
    She opened her wings as the thing leaped to the tree and climbed the forty feet that separated them with unnatural speed, reaching her just as she threw herself into the sky. Wings stretched wide, she flapped to put distance between them and then saw the second, identical thing on the ground. It snarled and snapped, then lifted into the air like smoke.
    Another glance showed that the first thing was also airborne. It did not fly like any natural creature. Instead, it darted after her as if something shot from a gun, rocketing and billowing.
    Fear sent a hot burst of blood and adrenaline to her muscles as she veered this way and that, darting through the trees in an effort to evade her pursuers. Not Nagi, her mind shouted, but what then?
    Something brushed her tail. She cried out, flying low to the ground, dipping, swerving. No more time to look back. She beat her wings with greater urgency as she fled the twins.
    She did not turn her head until she had gone two miles and found no sign of them. They could fly! And two of them, big as bear cubs and just as dangerous.
    Dangerous did not even begin to describe these creatures.
    It took some time for her breathing to return to normal as she flew straight for Cesar, coming instead into the middle of a police crime scene. Just like most humans, they were so preoccupied with their own concerns they did not notice a raven winging through the middle of the proceedings. But Cesar did. She landed on the boughs of a redwood, and watched the men crawl about the scene like ants. Cesar indicated to her that she should meet him at the parking area.
    While she waited for him, she dressed in a conservative black suit fashioned after a particular favorite from the fall collection of a top New York designer. She was excellent at mimicking such clothing, changing her feathers into whatever suited her, though she was just as likely to buy the real thing and wear her skin in the form of only her necklace. She brushed the crease of her trousers, admiring the fabric. She did love fashion.
    Cesar appeared from the wooded trail, so she stepped into view. As she crossed the lot a young officer moved before her.
    â€œCrime scene, ma’am. You can’t—”
    Cesar cut him off. “She’s with me. Consultant.”
    The officer dropped his hand and stepped aside, allowing her to pass.
    â€œAny luck?” he asked.
    â€œYes, all bad. I found them. They’re about five miles northeast of here. Dangerous as hell. They killed a bull moose, just the two of them and had the innards eaten already.”
    Cesar folded his arms across his wide chest.
    She expected him to say something, but he didn’t.
    â€œWell?”
    â€œThey’re entitled to eat.”
    She threw her arms up in exasperation. “Would you say that if they had killed a hiker?”
    He gave her a withering look. “Of course not.”
    â€œWell, they’re attacking animals. That means they’re my concern, even if they’re not yours.”
    â€œI didn’t say I’m not concerned. I’m just not going to hunt something that is only…” He clamped his mouth shut.
    â€œOnly killing animals?”
    He didn’t deny that this was what he was about to say.
    â€œWhat about Skinwalkers? Because they also attacked me.”
    His hard expression dissolved and his eyes rounded. He reached out, clasping her hand. She felt his emotions blast her like a warm wind—anxiety, then fear. His gaze swept her as she regained custody of her hand. How did he do that?
    â€œDid they hurt you?”
    â€œNo, just took a swipe at me.” She twisted her hip, and glanced back, her hand sweeping over her posterior. “Might interest you to know that they can fly.”
    The cloth of her trousers was