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

you’re freaked out. But what’s happening here is real. I’m not known for my soothing nature or my subtleness. I’m known for kicking someone’s ass four ways from Friday. That’s why I’m here. I’m the best protection you’ve got. When, and if, this blows over, you can think about returning to New York, but until then—”
    The lights in the car flickered, and the car was thrown into complete darkness.
    “What’s going on?” I whispered as my blood began to gallop in my veins. When she didn’t answer, I urged, “Ingrid, this isn’t funny!” I grabbed on to the handrail beside me, wrapping a hand around the metal bar. I tried to wait patiently for her to get back to me, but when no emergency lights blinked on, panic bubbled in my chest like carbonation out of a shaken can of soda.
    The only illumination came from the occasional dim light outside the tunnel, giving the inside of the car a sporadic strobe of artificial light. There were some quiet murmurings from the other passengers, but it was going to take a lot more than a blackout to freak out a seasoned New Yorker.
    I, however, was not seasoned. “Ingrid!” My voice was shrill because she still hadn’t answered me. “I can’t take any more! What’s going on?”
    “Stay right where you are.” Ingrid’s order came from a space over by the doors closest to us. As we passed another light, I saw her crouched down.
    I was restless, so I glanced out the window.
    A face stared back at me.
    I screamed.
    The head was leathery, and it had gleaming yellow eyes. It opened its maw and snarled at me, revealing rows of sharp, pointy teeth.
    Several things happened at once.
    My head snapped to Ingrid, who was shouting something I couldn’t understand. In the next flicker of light, I saw an object hurtling toward me. Instinctively, I stretched out my hand, and a rock the size of a walnut landed in my palm. As I closed my fist around it, Huggie soared down the aisle, his eyes brilliant, like two clear, glowing orbs of gleaming mercury in the dark.
    The raven landed on the rail next to me, squawking loudly, and I bravely shot another gaze out the window.
    Mercifully, it was clear.
    Ingrid was still yelling at me, and I jerked my head in her direction, but I was having trouble focusing on anything.
    “Phoebe! Put the stone in your mouth!”
    “Wha—?”
    “Just do it!”
    I numbly glanced down. It was too dark to see exactly what I was holding, but I brought it up to my lips, hesitating for only a brief moment before I popped it in.
    At this point, I was out of options.
    Coherent thoughts weren’t forming in my mind. Following Ingrid’s lead was my only real choice, and at least I had the wherewithal to realize it.
    If I couldn’t trust her, all was lost.
    A warm tingling sensation began to buzz through my body as the “stone” disintegrated on my tongue. The initial flavor was a sweet, buttery rum, but as it spread over my mouth, the aftertaste puckered like citrus.
    I pressed my lips together until the gross taste subsided.
    After a few moments, I felt calm enough to take inventory of the car. I craned my head around, wondering if any of the other passengers had seen the same face I had. It was unlikely, since I hadn’t heard any other screaming.
    Surprisingly, everyone was out cold, slumped over in their seats.
    I whipped back around. “Ingrid!” I whisper-yelled, stretching into the aisle, hoping not to disturb Huggie. The bird remained quiet. “What’s going on? Why is everyone asleep? Don’t they know we’re in trouble?” That creature’s ugly face fluttered through my mind, and the hair on my arms jumped to attention. “And what did I just eat? I feel kind of lightheaded.”
    Ingrid hadn’t moved from her position by the doors. She was still crouched, the trick spear at full length. “Sit down, Phoebe,” Ingrid hissed, motioning me back with her free arm. “I gave you a cloak stone. It’s made by the white elves, and it’s powerful