The Golden Bell Read Online Free PDF

Haunt had recognizable and unique
characteristics. “Nothing stood out?”
    She shook her head again.
    “Would you recognize a scent?” All of them
had infallible scent memories and sharper than human noses, even
without shifting. She should at least be able to do that.
    Avoiding his eyes, she muttered, “I couldn’t
smell anything. My nose isn’t very keen.”
    What did that mean? Even with a stuffed up
nose, she should have scented something. Was she suppressing the
memories?
    The color had leeched from her skin. “I-I’d
like to go lie down now.”
    Wincing at his impatience in the face of her
distress, he picked her up and headed for her room, grimacing as
the shards Kirk had missed cut his feet. They’d heal in a day or
two, and she didn’t need more injuries.
    “I can walk,” she said shakily.
    “Humor me.” The last thing they needed was
her playing tough and independent. It wasn’t going to hurt her to
be cosseted a little. Tomorrow was going to be a rough day for her,
and she needed to rest for what remained of the night.
    Stiffening when she saw her bed, she actually
turned her face to his chest. Brows rising, he paused, realizing
that she might fear dreaming again. He thought for a moment. “Would
you like me to get a radio for you? The music might help. Either
that or you can sleep on the couch. I’ll even wrestle the remote
away from Kirk for you.”
    She actually smiled and risked a glance at
him. “I’d like that.”
    Pleased by that small smile, he turned and
headed for the stairs. She stiffened when she saw he planned to
carry her down.
    “Ye of little faith,” he chided, not pausing.
In moments she was deposited on the couch, the lights on, remote in
hand. Raising a brow at the impressive selection of snacks Kirk had
lain out, Fallon fetched her a glass of juice and a blanket. “Just
yell if he tries to change the channel. I’ll bring you a stick.”
Leaving her smiling wanly, he went to find Kirk.
    Kirk raised a brow when he stepped into the
study. “Get some clothes on, mate. I’m surprised the girl didn’t
run screaming at the sight of your tallywacker hanging out.”
    Fallon actually looked down before he caught
Kirk’s smirk. “Funny. You know I always wear pants when I’m
expecting trouble.” Not that he liked the black silk pajama
bottoms, but they were cooler than flannel. Besides, any man would
feel ridiculous facing down attackers with his better parts hanging
out.
    Kirk grunted. “Our pigeon remembers nothing
and has flashbacks that make my sister’s PMS look like a Brady
Bunch reunion. I’d say toss her back, but she’s a menace to
society.”
    Unamused, Fallon sat down in his office chair
and started picking splinters out of his feet. “Someone thinks she
remembers something. One of our own had to have tipped her hand to
the Cult. She’s too good at running.”
    Kirk laughed. “Bold move, calling a taxi on
your phone.”
    “She’s not listed as a genius for nothing.
She failed half of her high school classes and made perfect scores
on her GED. Intelligence found textbooks on computer hacking,
advanced electronics, chemistry and physics in her room, along with
a host of gadgets that made the hair stand up on the investigator’s
heads. If her father hadn’t got in their way, whoever had raided
their house would have had their own captive prodigy.”
    No longer amused, Kirk dumped the last of the
shards in the trash. “Trying to market her inventions was the
dumbest thing her father could have done. Probably would have saved
his life if they’d continued to pretend she was nothing
special.”
    “He couldn’t have known.” Fallon watched the
blood run from the cuts on his feet and frowned. It was going to
stain the carpet. Tomorrow was going to be busy, and he could use
some more rest. Kirk would be up for hours yet. “Keep an eye on
her. I’m going back to bed.” Answers would come in the morning.
     
    “I fixed your DVD player.”
    Fallon blinked at