Absolution Read Online Free PDF Page A

going at it. I heard some stuff, but, you know… I didn’t stay and listen.”
    Darkness pulled me in the direction of their bedroom. Splintering fear shot through my body. I reached for the doorknob.
    “What’re you doing?” Luke whispered, following me.
    I held my hand up to silence him. Luke still didn’t know I could see evil. Now wasn’t the time to drop that bomb. I wanted to help my parents if I could, as carefully as I could.
    Dad’s voice was low and hard, mixing with Mom’s high pitch, the two tones reeking of sarcasm, and snapping with ugliness, specific words muffled through the closed door. Flushed with fear and frustration, I blew out a breath, turned on my heel and marched to Abria’s room.
    “I just put her to bed, don’t wake her,” Luke hissed over my shoulder.
    We both knew putting Abria to bed didn’t mean she actually went to sleep. I opened her door.
    Abria jumped on the bed like a gymnast, glee on her face. Matthias stood ready to catch her.
    My breath caught at the sight of him: radiant purity. A vision of beauty and peace that stilled my worried soul and lifted me on eyesight.
    Behind me, Luke stuttered, “Oh, wow…it’s him.”
    Luke’s milk-white face and open mouth reminded me that he still wasn’t used to seeing Matthias. At least he hadn’t passed out like the last two times he saw him. I tugged Luke through the door, shut it and faced the man I loved.
    “Zoe.” Matthias smiled.
    “Hey.” I didn’t care that my voice sounded insipidly happy to see him.
    You’re beautiful, I thought knowing full well Matthias would overhear. My love for him was no secret. I feel so much better knowing you’re here.
    That’s why I came.
    Abria giggled, jumping higher. And higher. Her head nearly hit the ceiling. Matthias swept her into his arms and hugged her. “You little monkey.
    Careful.”
    “Man, this is so wild,” Luke murmured.
    “Plenty wild,” Matthias said, tapping Abria on the tip of her nose.
    “Wild little monkey.”
    “Monkey,” Abria said, clear and crisp.
    Luke and I exchanged glances of surprise. Any time Abria spoke coherently was a time to celebrate; most of her communications a garbled mess of sounds without clarity. Matthias’ touch not only comforted me and Luke, but from Abria’s consistent reaction to being in his presence, something about him loosened Abria’s tongue, enabling her to speak.
    I almost forgot why I was there. This time, I’d get rid of Albert by myself.
    I headed for the door. Matthias blocked it. How he moved so fast was part of the miracle of who he was. I didn’t question or doubt, but was still amazed by his angelic powers. His clear blue eyes looked earnestly into mine.
    You weren’t kidding when you said Albert was relentless.
    Matthias nodded. He is powerful and dangerous.
    “I know. But I got rid of him twice already. I can do it again.”
    “Bearcat.” The corner of his lip lifted.
    Tempted as I was to let him kick his father out, I didn’t want Albert thinking I was a pushover. I had respect for forces both evil and good, but I relished the opportunity to force Albert out of our house. Even knowing he’d come back.
    “Where are you going?” Luke eyed me.
    I opened the door. “To kick some seriously wicked butt.”
    I took off down the hall, adrenaline pulsing courage through my veins.
    “Can she do that?” Luke’s query brought a grin to my lips in spite of the fear jangling my nerves at the thought of confronting Albert.
    “She’s a sassy little sheba,” Matthias replied. “She can do anything she wants.”
    Exactly.
    My parent’s voices boomed from behind the closed door, like an angry pianist taking his frustration out on the keys, inharmonious chords belting into the air.
    “We trusted her!” Mom.
    “We can’t be sure she’s still drinking.” My heart plummeted to my feet.
    They were talking about me.
    I came to an abrupt halt. Why didn’t Mom trust me? How could they think I was still drinking? I