The Returned Read Online Free Page B

stealing your stuff, or worse.” She looked around. “If you prefer this place, I’ll bring you back. I swear it on my name and my power.”
    River swallowed, her eyes still frantically scanning the area. She leaned in close and spoke in a whisper, her voice shaking. “I can’t. If I leave, they’ll kill me.”
    â€œNo they won’t,” Wraith said. “I won’t let them.”
    â€œWhat can you do?”
    Wraith opened her mouth but was cut off.
    â€œWhat the hell is this?” said a gruff voice from behind her.
    Wraith turned to see a cocky young guy walking over. He was wearing a white tank top, and he was covered in tattoos that marked him as a Purple Death member.
    â€œEase off, mate,” Con said. “We’re having us a chat with the girl.”
    â€œYeah? Well you’re costing me money, mate ,” the man said and pushed Con back against the wall.
    â€œI’m sorry, D,” River said to the pimp. “It’s my fault. I—”
    â€œI’ll deal with you later,” D said, pointing at River.
    â€œNot going to happen,” Wraith said and stepped between River and D. “We’re leaving, and we’re taking her with us.”
    D took a step forward. “Bitch, you ain’t—”
    Geek grabbed D by his shirt, slammed him against the wall twice, and held him at eye level, almost a foot off the ground.
    â€œThat’s a very rude term,” Geek said and adjusted his glasses with his free hand. “You need to apologize.”
    D sneered and moved one hand to his waistband. “Fu—”
    Geek slammed him against the wall again. The pistol D was reaching for fell to the ground. Geek dropped him, picked up the gun, and looked the guy in the eye as he bent the barrel.
    â€œWhat the hell are you?” D asked.
    â€œWe’re the ones taking River away,” Wraith said. “And I’ll be back for the other girls. All of them.”
    â€œBest bring an army,” D spat. “You crossed the—”
    â€œThe Purple Death,” Wraith said. “Yeah, I know who you are. I’m Wraith, and I don’t need an army.” She reached into her jacket and pulled out her hand, fingers in a gun shape. She pointed at the front of a nearby abandoned car.
    â€œYou’re a crazy bit—”
    â€œBang,” Wraith said.
    A ball of force hit the car, crushing in what was left of the front end, knocking it off its blocks, and sending it sliding ten feet down the road.
    D stared at her with wide eyes.
    â€œAnd I carry two,” she said, holding up her other hand.
    D didn’t say anything.
    â€œBloody hell,” Con said through a laugh. “He’s gone and pissed his pants.”
    Wraith glanced down at the growing wet spot in his jeans then back up at his face. “See you soon, snookums.” Then she turned and led River toward the nearest door-door, Con and Geek right behind her.
    â€œAre you okay?” Geek asked when they reached the door to an old abandoned building.
    Wraith reached into her bag, took out a doorknob, and stuck it in the spot where the original had been broken off.
    â€œI thought you said you were taking me to the magister’s house,” River said, watching Wraith.
    Wraith wove an entropic formula over the door frame. “Con, you want to explain it?”
    â€œShe can make magic doors,” Con said.
    When the formula was complete, Wraith grabbed the handle and looked at Con. “That’s a vast oversimplification.”
    â€œAm I wrong?”
    Wraith opened her mouth to protest, then closed it. “That’s not the point,” she said after a moment and opened the door.
    River stared with wide eyes.
    â€œCome on,” Geek said. “It’s safe, I promise.”
    T hey stepped out of a closet door, crossing nearly eight hundred miles, and into the foyer of Brigid’s home.
    â€œWow,” River said as