Gods and Swindlers (City of Eldrich Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

you’re holding to his neck.”
    “What did the other ones look like?”
    “Like extras from the Lord of the Rings . Supermodels playing epic fantasy dress up.”
    “That’s not how they looked to me.”
    “Because you can see what they really look like,” Terry said. “They hate that. So what do you want to do with this one?”
    “How dangerous is he on his own?”
    Terry shrugged. “With the two of us? Not very, so long as we keep some iron on him.”
    Meaghan nodded. “I want to have a chat with him. Somewhere warmer than this.”
    “Okay. He’ll keep until we get home and then the witches can do some buffering spells.”
    “Will the fair folk come after him?”
    Terry shook his head. “Probably not. Loyalty’s not their thing. Hang on to him for a sec. I’ll be right back.”
    He rummaged in the bed of the pickup and came back with a length of chain and a padlock. “Let’s wrap him up nice and tight.”
    Meaghan stood up. Terry yanked the elf to his feet and wrapped his arms and torso with the chain.
    “It burns,” the elf whimpered.
    “Don’t be such a baby,” Terry said. “I’d forgotten how whiny these things are. There we are, all trussed up. Come on, Legolas, let’s go for a ride.”
    Terry tossed the elf over his shoulder and looked around him, eyes narrowed. “There may be other stuff roaming these woods. We can dig out your car tomorrow. Get what you need. Bring the tire iron.”
    Meaghan nodded and, under Terry’s watchful eye, grabbed her things, turned off the headlights and engine, and locked the car. Together they trudged up the hill to his truck. Terry tossed the elf in the truck bed, locked him to a tie-down ring, and reached a hand out for Meaghan’s suitcase. “Okay if this rides in back?”
    She nodded and climbed into the warm truck cab with Terry. “Is he gonna be okay? It’s cold out there.”
    Terry smiled. “You’re mommying an elf now?”
    Meaghan scowled. “Hell, no. But if he freezes to death, I can’t question him.”
    “Right. Don’t worry. It won’t be comfortable, but it won’t freeze to death. It takes a lot of kill those things.”
    “Like pinning and smashing?”
    “Uh . . .”
    “Before I chat with the elf, I think you and I need to have a little talk. Who are you?”
    Terry grinned. “Did you hit your head or something? I’m your neighbor. Terry Donner. Remember?”
    “No, I didn’t hit my head. You’re Terry Donner now, but I don’t think that’s who you’ve always been.”
    He sighed. “It’s a long story.”
    “We’ve got at least twenty minutes until we get home.”
    “It’s a really long story.”
    “And you’re not gonna tell me.”
    “Nope,” Terry said. “I’m not. I like to leave the past in the past.”
    “One day at a time?”
    He smiled. “Yeah. Something like that.”
    “I’ll get it out of you eventually.”
    Terry grimaced. “Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of. The thing is I wasn’t always a nice guy like I am now. I used to be a major dick.”
    “When you were drinking?”
    “That was part of it.”
    “How old are you?”
    “Old enough to know better.”
    Meaghan snorted in disgust. “I should be used to this shit by now. So, if you won’t tell me who you are, then tell me what you are.”
    Terry sighed again. “Your brother is right. You’re like a damn bloodhound that’s caught a scent. What I am is your friend. I hope you believe that.”
    Meaghan relented. “I know you’re my friend. You saved my ass back there. Thank you. How did you find me?”
    “I was in Williamsport finishing up a job. Your brother called me and asked me to keep an eye out for you.”
    Meaghan nodded. “I am like a bloodhound sometimes. I’m sorry.” She paused a moment. “But you haven’t answered my question. Are you human?”
    “Yeah. I think. I started out that way at least. And that’s all I’m willing to say for now.”
    “But—”
    “It’s a long story and I’m not sure I’m ready . . . I