Shattered Souls Read Online Free Page B

arms and moved back. “This is Sam,” she said, her green gaze sliding uneasily between Sam and Celeste. “He’s…working with me.”
    A dark eyebrow arched. “Heard you weren’t a cop no more. But you bring one to my door.”
    “Well, he’s still a cop. He asked for my help with something.”
    “Somethin’ that requires you seek me out?” Celeste clucked. “Must be somethin’ dark.”
    Sam watched the two women, but was especially fascinated with Cait’s expression. She looked uncertain, the pallor of her cheeks a stark contrast against her brilliant red hair. “I need to find Morin,” she said softly.
    Celeste’s eyes widened, but her mouth stretched into a catlike smile. “Funny you should mention him. He left somethin’ for you. Said you’d be comin’.”
    Left something?
    Cait’s chest rose. “I wasn’t sure he was still around these parts.”
    “Morin never left. He waits for you. But you know, he’s gonna want somethin’ in ’change for his help.”
    For a moment, Cait’s eyes closed.
    Sam stiffened, sensing there was something deeply disturbing about this Morin and wondering what exactly his relationship was to his ex-wife.
    Celeste walked around the counter and reached under the cash register. When she straightened, she held a small cloth bag tied with twine.
    Cait’s lips compressed into a thin line, but she held out her hand, fingers curling tightly around the bag. “Did he leave you…words?”
    “You don’t remember?”
    “It’s been forever since I last saw him. I wanted to forget.”
    “ Ma chère , you must learn to forgive. Morin has always been here for you. Even after you abandoned him.”
    “He should have moved on,” Cait said, her voice stronger now.
    Sam narrowed his eyes, knowing he wasn’t going to like this Morin one damn bit.
    “I’m only going to him now because I need his help. Not because I missed his sorry ass.”
    Celeste’s curious stare flitted over to him. “Sam, are you sure you wanna meet Cait’s past?”
    “I’m just along for the ride,” he growled and held up his hands in a fending-off gesture. “This is work. Nothing personal.”
    Her deepening smile said she didn’t believe him. She lifted her chin to Cait. “Come see me. After. We’ll have much to talk about.”
    Cait leaned toward her without answering. The women embraced.
    When Cait turned, her eyebrows lowered into a fierce scowl as her gaze rested on him. “Outside.”
    Sam was only too happy to leave behind the murky interior of the shop. Bright, glaring sunlight burned away the creeping unease he’d felt inside.
    Cait halted in the middle of the sidewalk and then cast him a sideways glance. She ripped off the twine around the bag with her teeth and cupped it in her palm, raising it. “Get ready.”
    For what? he was about to ask but was caught by Cait’s expression, which softened, taut energy calming beneath the surface of her pale skin.
    Her eyes slid closed.
     
“Spirits who aided this seeker of past
Lead me to Morin by crows’ winged path.
If you should honor and grant my request—
I’ll follow your lead north, south, east, or west…”
     
    Cait’s green eyes shot open, and she flung the bag upward, the gritty contents spilling from the black bag. The dark powder and sprigs of crushed herbs flew upward, then hung suspended in the air for a long moment. A sudden gust of wind caught the powder, and it blew apart. Then the wind twisted and the sediments rolled together, forming a tiny black funnel that rose above their heads.
    Where the sky had been clear and blue a moment ago, thick dark clouds rolled in, too fast to be natural. City noise—the sound of traffic, horns honking, the slaps of footsteps—grew silent. People moving up and down the sidewalks slowed and then halted, frozen in place.
    “What the fuck—?” The hair on the back of Sam’s neck rose.
    Cait squatted suddenly, and Sam followed, not knowing what to expect, but the funnel tightened,