The Banshee's Embrace Read Online Free Page A

escaped from the old folks home down the road?"
                  "It's a hag, a dead spirit, a seeker of lost souls," Toby said. "It's looking for someone's essence to take."
                  "Shit."
                  "I feel the same," he said with a small smile. "Just don't do anything that will attract its attention."
                  "Um…I don't know if I can do that," she said. "I'm feeling…strange again."
                  "Don't sing," Toby said, worried. He had a good idea of what the woman wanted, but he'd been asked by the Brotherhood to prevent it from happening.
                  "I don't know if I can stop myself. The urge is…so strong." Her voice was starting to take on a detached sound. In that moment, Toby knew he was going to have to reveal his powers to her. Damn. Why did all the charity cases come to him? Now she'd never look at him the same way.
                  "Okay. I'm going to do something that may shock you," Toby said.
                  "I doubt you can do anything that will really surprise me," Jacqueline's voice took on dreamy quality. She was slipping away. He could see the green creeping back into her eyes. "Things have been really weird for me this past year."
                  "I'm going to go outside," he said. "I'll deal with this woman."
                  "No! It's dangerous!"
                  The sound of her raised voice caught the attention of the hag who peered into the window.  Her eyes widened and a grim smile settled over her rotting features. Her nails scratched excitedly at the window as she opened her mouth.
                  A low song came out of her, surprisingly beautiful. Toby could feel the power of it tickling at his soul, and as he watched, the hag transformed into a young, gorgeous woman. Her wrinkled skin faded away, replaced by the nubile flesh of youth. Her face morphed into a lovely lady with red lips and long eyelashes that complimented her exotic green eyes. Dark locks of chestnut hair fell to her shoulders, complimenting her rosy complexion. Even though he knew the danger the woman possessed, Toby couldn't help the sexual thrill that ran through him at the sight of her.
                  "No," Jacqueline grabbed his arm as he took a step forward. "No. She wants to hurt you."
                  "I know."
                  "You do? Then why the hell would you go out there?"
                  "Things aren't always what they seem, Jacqueline."
                  With that Toby strode out the front door of the bar. He paused and looked back.
                  "No matter what you see, don't come out until I tell you it's safe."
                  Without waiting for her response, Toby shoved through the door and faced the hag. Her eyes gleamed at the sight of him, and she licked her lips. The action was oddly sexual and yet repulsive at the same time.
                  "Well, look what we have here. A fine strapping young lad." The woman's voice carried the soft lilting sound of the Irish with it. "Come to give me a kiss, have you?"
                  "I'm don't really like kissing dead things," he said.
                  Her eyes narrowed.
                  "Dead things? My boy, you are protecting one half-dead as we speak. Send the little lassie out so I can properly meet her."
                  "I don't think so. In fact, I think it's time for you to head back to your native home." Toby kept his hands at his side, but his finger twitched, ready for the coming fight.
                  "But my home is so far." She smiled and took a step closer to him. "So far. And like the poet's say, I have miles to go before I sleep."
                  "Leave. You're not welcome here."
                  "Silly