Struck: (Phoebe Meadows Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

over my ears. “I think I can keep up. I mean, I don’t see why not. I’m not exactly in your kind of shape.” Ingrid obviously worked out a lot. She was a good foot taller than I was and all brawn. If it weren’t for a set of thick, curly eyelashes framing a pair of clear hazel eyes, she could almost pass for a man. My dull chestnut hair and gray eyes seemed boring in comparison. “But I can most likely get to a subway station without collapsing.” I tried to stop breathing hard to further prove my point, but my lungs weren’t cooperating. I was a swimmer in high school, and I walked the city streets regularly. I wasn’t totally incapable.
    She nodded once and made her move.
    I followed her out onto the street. It was full dark already. Early December brought on the short days.
    I spotted Huggie perched on a flagpole across the street.
    The bird turned toward us, its feathers catching the orange glow of the streetlights, making it shimmer in the low light. It was more than a bit surreal.
    In fact, this whole day had been surreal.
    I guess it seemed apropos that I was going to end my very strange day trailing a huge, gleaming raven named Huggie through the streets of New York City.
    The bird took off, soaring down the street with unusual grace. Its powerful wings flapped fluidly and soundlessly in the dark. Ingrid followed and I jogged behind.
    “Ingrid,” I panted after a while, the cold air stinging my lungs. “We’ve passed three stations so far, and it’s a friggin’ meat locker out here. Are we heading down anytime soon?”
    Up ahead, the raven chose that moment to plunge into a stairwell at the corner of 72nd Street.
    I stopped mid-jog.
    People should be screaming their heads off right now.
    If a bird that big buzzed by me as I was emerging from a subway station, I would’ve hit the ground, shouting for animal control and Valium.
    Nobody noticed the bird at all.
    “Come on, Phoebe. Hurry up. Time to head down,” Ingrid called over her shoulder.
    I picked up the pace. “Why aren’t people freaking out about Huggie?” I asked. “He’s a big, black, terrifying bird. It should be pandemonium down there.”
    Ingrid scoffed. “They don’t see him, of course. What? You think people in Midgard can see stuff from Asgard? Ha! Only if they have Aesir or Vanir blood flowing through their veins. Or if Huggie chooses to let them. But why would he? That would be courting chaos.”
    I grabbed on to the handrail, yelling after her, “I have no idea what you’re talking about! As usual,” I muttered under my breath. This was so crazy. “Midgard, Asgard, Vanir… whatever .” I shuffled down the steps. “I need an umbrella.”

    * * *

    The subway car Ingrid entered was fairly empty. Other than a few curiously raised eyebrows about her choice of attire, no one said a word, which wasn’t a surprise.
    Huggie had either disappeared or flown off, and I was relieved.
    “Where are we headed to now?” I asked as I took a bench seat opposite Ingrid. My duffel was sprawled out next to her. The subway doors closed, and the train took off.
    “We’re heading to the airport.”
    “ The airport ? Are you serious?”
    “How else are we supposed to get out of town? Well, other than a portal. But those are too risky at the moment. The shieldmaidens have a private jet parked in New Jersey at Teterboro. The modern human world has forced us to adjust over the past hundred years. Even though it’s not our preferred mode of transportation, it works fine. Usually.” Her voice ominous.
    “But…” I trailed off. “Ingrid, I can’t leave town. I’m sorry, but I can’t do it. I’ve played along with you thus far, but honestly, I have to go home. I have a job and a life, and I like it in New York. I can’t just jet off on some mad tangent with you! This is so insane.”
    Ingrid leaned forward, resting her forearms on her thighs, her face serious. “Phoebe, listen to me. I understand this has been a lot to take in and