The Star-Fire Prophecy Read Online Free Page B

mother said. “Be careful.”
    Danica had ignored the warning, passing it off as another of her mother’s odd reactions to people, but she had lost interest in the boy and never did know him well.
    Galt Anders was a similar physical type.
    “I’m pleased you decided to visit us,” he said to her.
    “I hope I’ll be able to fit in,” she said.
    There was a silence. Have I said something wrong ? Danica wondered. Surely Evan told him I was interested in working here .
    “I—I told her about the horoscope.” Evan’s voice was uncharacteristically hesitant.
    “Melantha Cross usually does the recruiting,” Galt .aid. “She seems to have a knack for finding the right people for Star-Fire. Melantha considers a horoscope absolutely essential for her evaluation.” He smiled. “I must admit she’s almost always right.”
    “I don’t mind,” Danica said.
    Galt headed for the living room and they followed. There were lights on now in the A-frame below, but the bonfire was gone, completely quenched so that only darkness remained.
    Galt gestured toward the chairs, and as they seated themselves the door opened and a woman came in. Danica thought she’d never seen such a beautiful face. She found herself staring at the pale skin, so white as to appear bloodless, the huge golden eyes, the tumbled mass of dark curls cascading down. The woman wore a black cape with the hood thrown back and she stood in the doorway, striking, dramatic, not quite real.
    “Come in, Melantha.” Did Galt’s voice hold a trace of irony?
    “Where’s Amy?” Melantha asked. Her voice was low, husky, as attractive as she was.
    “Hiding,” Evan said.
    “Melantha, this is Danica Linstrom,” Galt said. “She’s heard of Star-Fire and Evan has told me she’s already working with the energies. Perhaps you…”
    “We don’t need anyone else,” Melantha broke in.
    “That’s not true,” Galt said calmly. “You’ll have a chance to interview Miss Linstrom tomorrow.”
    Galt and Melantha stared at one another until Melantha made a slight gesture of acceptance with her hand. She still stood by the door, although she had closed it behind her.
    “I’ve come for Amy,” she repeated.
    Despite Melantha’s beauty, Danica was reminded of a bird of prey, imperious and demanding, and Amy’s fear came back to Danica again as though the child herself was seeking sanctuary.
    “Amy’s afraid.” The words came from Danica involuntarily.
    “Of me?” Melantha laughed. “Of Galt? Evan?”
    “She—she’s just afraid,” Danica said, now defensive.
    Melantha began to speak, stopped, and drew in her breath. Danica shifted uncomfortably under her stare. They were all looking at her, the three of them. The room was quiet; Danica waited. Was it she they watched or was it something behind her? She began to turn her head, then felt a gentle touch, felt fingers moving through her hair.
    Slowly, carefully, she shifted until she could see the child standing beside her chair. Amy. A small girl, of slight build, with grey eyes. Eyes that didn’t meet Danica’s. Amy’s entire attention was fixed on Danica’s red hair. With a quick movement, the child bent her head to rest her cheek for a moment against the hair, then she resumed her careful fingering, holding a strand between her palms, letting them slide back and forth. Danica said nothing, not moving.
    “Red hair,” Evan said softly.
    Melantha swooped toward the child and gathered her into the folds of the cape. Danica half rose in her chair, words of protest forming in her mind. But Galt nodded.
    “Goodnight, Amy,” he said. “Come and see me again.”
    Danica saw the little girl didn’t struggle, seeming to accept being carried off by Melantha, and so she remained silent.
    “I’ll take Danica to a guest room,” Evan said. “Lydia’s?”
    Galt got to his feet. “Yes, of course.” He waited until she rose and then took her hand, turning it over so the palm was uppermost. Danica had the