Blue Twilight Read Online Free PDF

attached to them that captured my interest. Each was a perfect chrysalis. Some grew like miniscule fungi, while others were reminiscent of elongated teardrops.
    But the most remarkable thing were the variety of colors in which they appeared. One chrysalis was yellow as ripe golden corn, while another resembled a crystal bead laden with orange and black spots. Also vying for my attention were shells bathed in an elegant shade of sea-foam green. Aseries of gold dots comprised a band on each of their ends, transforming the cocoons into precious pieces of jade jewelry. Every chrysalis was an exquisite gem. All but for one. The ugly duckling of the set had an exterior as brown and dry as a dead leaf.
    “You wouldn’t believe what goes on inside these little shells. The caterpillars melt down into this strange primordial goo. But the cool thing is that it’s kinda like magic. You know, hocus-pocus , and a coupla weeks later, you’ve got yourself a hot-looking butterfly. There are more than a few ugly broads I know that should be so lucky. To tell you the truth, these things remind me of a bunch of Egyptian mummies cruising on a round-trip ticket to the afterworld. You’d swear they’re dead, only to have ’em come back to life looking better than ever.”
    To my eye, it appeared as though they were snugly nestled inside little sleeping bags and floating along in the midst of a deep slumber. I couldn’t help but wonder what butterflies dream about, and if we ever journey along the same celestial path.
    How wonderful to take a long nap, shed your skin, and wake up to discover that you’ve become something altogether unique. How tempting it would be to leave one’s old self behind. I envied the thought of being able to chuck my mistakes and begin anew. Of course, the downside was the risk of becoming one more bug stuck in a glassine envelope inside Aikens’s closet.
    My gaze wandered back to the drab, sad-sack chrysalis. Even in the insect world, life obviously wasn’t fair. I made a wish that its occupant would emerge as the Cinderella of all butterflies.
    “Go ahead. Touch it and see how it feels,” Aikens urged, guiding my finger toward the desiccated shell.
    There could be no denying that I was curious. I gave intotemptation and ran my finger ever so lightly along its rough, hard edge.
    Creeeaaaakkkk!
    My heart jumped at the sound of a coffin lid slowly being pushed open; only the noise had come from within the cocoon itself.
    Aikens broke into a riff of amused laughter. “Didn’t expect that , did you? There’s a fully formed San Bruno elfin in there that’s just about ready to pop. You disturbed its sleep, you bad girl, you. That sound was made by rubbing its legs together—which is about all the exercise that sucker’s ever gonna get. Once its wings open, our little friend’s off to the freezer for a good l-l-o-o-n-ng rest.”
    That did it. I’d had it with Aikens’s crap, particularly in view of the fact that the San Bruno elfin was on the endangered list. Then there was the bug in Aikens’s cooler. That was probably a Mission blue butterfly.
    I turned to the redheaded leprechaun and skewered him with a cold stare. “Thanks for the tour, but I won’t be accepting your job offer.”
    Aikens was momentarily taken back. Then his lips curled down in scorn. “Why not? Don’t tell me you’re gonna let a few little wasps scare you away. Or maybe that scratching sound gave you the heebie jeebies and you’re not quite the nature girl that you thought. Of course, it could also be that you’re really Miss Uptight Prissy and I somehow offended you. No, wait a minute. I know what it is—you’re probably jealous because the butterflies are getting more nookie than you are. No problemo , doll. It just so happens I can help you out with that.”
    It was time to squash this troll doll like the repellant vermin that he was.
    “Sorry to disappoint you, but it’s none of the above.” I pulled out my badge and