The Fury Read Online Free Page B

home.”
    “Really?” she said with enthusiasm. Uncertainty crept into her voice. “What about those creatures, the galla ?”
    His hand found hers on her thigh and grasped it. “I’ve sent someone to your house to check things out and make sure we don’t have any surprises.” He glanced over. “Don’t worry.”
    She nodded. That was easy for him to say.
     
    A few miles up the road, they stopped for gas. After he filled up the tank and Reese used the bathroom, they headed out again. The closer they got to Reese’s house, the more urgent his need for information became. She sat there like a warrior princess. Her unsmiling face spoke of nervous tension, and long, slender fingers had ripped pieces from one of the napkins that had come with the donuts. The remnants were scattered in her lap and on the floor.
    “Reese.” She jumped a little as if she’d been deep in thought. “When we were at your house last night, I noticed a picture with you and, I assume, your family.”
    “Yes?”
    “Where are they now?”
    A suspicious shadow crossed her face and she leveled those spitfire eyes on him. “Why do you want to know?”
    He sighed dramatically. “After everything, do you not trust me even a little?”
    She mulled it over.
    Finally, coming to some decision, she huffed. Dagan clenched his hands on the steering wheel awaiting the information he hoped she would offer willingly.
    “My sister, Riley, is in Europe right now.”
    “How long has she been there?”
    “For about two years.”
    Europe for two years probably meant Riley was safe for the moment, but he’d send one of their operatives to check it out.
    “My mother died three years ago.”
    He glanced at her and saw tears well in her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
    “Yes, everyone says that,” she replied in a dry tone.
    “And, what of your father?”
    She stiffened. “He’s here, I mean, in Denver, at his home.”
    Unexpected surprises didn’t please him, especially when it meant another human faced immediate danger. She didn’t say anymore.
    When they were a couple of blocks from her house, Dagan pulled out his cell and called Rufus.
    “It’s clean. I’ve checked the house three times and have been moving around the grounds. Other than the nasty charred spots on the porch, you’d never know the shit-eaters had been here.”
    “Great.”
    “Am I playing watchdog after she gets home too?” Rufus snickered.
    “Absolutely.”
    “Damn cold at night this time of year. Good thing I brought my parka.”
    “Quit whining,” Dagan said and hung up.
    Reese looked over at him. “Problem?”
    “No. Your house is clear. No sign of the galla either inside or out.”
    “Good, that’s good.”
    Dagan agreed but knew it wouldn’t last. With the night came the creeping crud, i.e. the demons of death. He’d leave Reese in the capable hands of the doghume . He’d order another to stake out her father’s home and keep watch. The thought of leaving her left him uneasy, which was another oddity that conflicted with his training. He had no choice but to do it.
    There was no other way.
    He pulled into her drive and parked. Scanning the area, he sent out feelers, but sensed none of Kur’s minions.
    Reese scrambled out of the car and grabbed her purse. “I can’t wait to take a long, hot shower.”
    Dagan grunted. He felt a strange current of energy buzzing in his head the closer he got to the house. Still watching for intruders, he followed Reese up the stairs and inside. The sound got louder and stronger, playing with his internal senses like a live electrical wire bouncing around on pavement. This could have been the vibration he’d noticed last night. Of course, his senses were concentrating on movement of the galla at the time, and were absorbed by the proximity of Reese. Those distractions had demanded his focus, so he hadn’t paid that much attention to the field of static electricity.
    He grabbed her arm when she started to take her coat off. “Wait