Syphon's Song Read Online Free

against her. His heat seared right through her sweater. His sky blue gaze cut to her soul. “What do you think, Bronte? Am I making this up? Am I crazy?”
    Yes, you’re crazy.
    Lie.
    I don’t know you well enough to say.
    Lie.
    Her syphon knew him. The sharp bite of truth gnawed against her with inescapable teeth. She took a breath, her own shoulders doing the rubbing this time with her inhale. “I’m sure you’re not crazy.” She sounded like a peasant appeasing an all-powerful lord.
    Vincent narrowed his eyes. She could feel him changing tactics as if he were shifting gears in a car. “Granddad, how do you feel? Edmund? What’s your power sensing?”
    Bronte tried to swallow under their silence, but her dry, dusty mouth wouldn’t cooperate.
    “Comfortable,” Senator Rallis finally answered. “Dare I say…almost peaceful.”
    “When was the last time that happened? I’m not the only one whose sixth sense aches from the power.” Vincent’s words were directed at his family, but his gaze was on her.
    This had to stop before it was too late. If it wasn’t already. But she still had to deliver the cursed message.
    Bronte cleared her throat. “If we could get back to the reason for my visit, senator…” She opened her purse and extracted the letter a Casteel servant had hand-delivered to Bronte’s trailer home. She set the envelope on the gleaming desk with a glance at the senator.
    He didn’t reach for the letter but gave her a small smile, indulging her. His pleasant humor wouldn’t last long.
    Edmund spoke before she could begin her spiel. “After last night’s bomb, Mother was ready to call General Wilen to tender your resignation on your behalf, Vin. Despite the promotion you have coming. And that’s saying something.” He rubbed his hands over his face. “I’ve never seen you so sense-sick. Quite a recovery.” He glanced toward Bronte.
    “I’m not resigning. Lifetime commitment,” Vincent said, his gaze still on her.
    She’d had enough. “It’s not polite to stare.”
    “If I look away, you might disappear again. Now what’s in your letter?” He surprised her, handing her control of the conversation.
    She took a fortifying breath and dove into her message while she had the chance. “A servant found this letter in the laying-out room where the late Senator Casteel’s body had been. The body was missing.”
    “So you’re missing the medallion,” Vincent stated. He went straight to the heart of the problem.
    “The medallion was still around his neck.” She recited the message as instructed. “Lord and Lady Casteel ask for your assistance in retrieving the medallion. Lady Casteel awaits your communiqué.” Done. She could say her goodbyes and leave. Before she was an inch out of her chair, the senator held up his hand. She sat back down. He ruled here. She could not disobey.
    The elder Rallis pulled out the letter.
    Edmund gave a disbelieving chuckle. “So that’s why your father has yet to take the Casteel Senate seat.” He looked at his grandfather, who was still focused on the letter. “This is our chance to get that school bill passed. No Casteel to stop it.”
    The letter suddenly hit the desk with a crack , flattened by an angry current of wind that glued it to the shiny surface. Senator Rallis shot up from the desk. His chair rolled away behind him. He leaned forward on arms as thick as a young man’s. “The body is on Rallis property? In our gyre?” His voice boomed around the room. “How long ago did you receive this?”
    Bronte’s heart pounded like a runner racing for the finish line. “The letter was found two weeks ago.”
    “Where were you?” Vincent’s voice snapped like a whip.
    An outraged gasp exploded from her throat. “Me? You think I did this? I’ll tell you where I was! I was in Chattanooga. Where I have been for the past thirteen years! Except for once. A year ago.” She only added that part because she didn’t want them to think she was