Your Soul to Take (Rise of the Fallen) Read Online Free PDF

retort.
    I
closed my eyes and shook my head. “Did I say evil? I meant sneaky,” I
said to a wide-eyed Jessica, who broke out in even more fits of laughter.
    “Hi,
Daddy. Did you bring me Starbucks?”
    “Venti
caramel macchiato with almond milk and an extra shot, as ordered. How are you
feeling, baby? Good morning Conrad,” he said and put his hand on my shoulder
as he leaned over and handed Jessie her coffee.
    “Good
morning, sir.”
    “What
were you talking about?”
    “I
asked Connor what happened last night.”
    “And
what, pray tell, was his theory?” He shifted uncomfortably.
    “That
the amount of paint fumes in that weirdo’s garage was making me
hallucinate.”
    He
stroked his chin and seemed to think about it before nodding approvingly.
“That’s probably what happened. I’m just glad we found you.”
    “And
the police still haven’t found the guy?” Jessie didn’t sound overly concerned.
I would have been if I thought the guy who kidnapped me was still out on the
streets. She didn’t know that his soul was tucked safely away in one of the
Fallen’s realms. I hoped they had him making license plates or something.
    “No,”
came Mr. James inevitable reply. “I’m not even sure they’re looking that
hard. His house went up in flames. They’re probably expecting him to be three
states away. If he’s smart, that’s where he will be. I’d very much like to get
my hands on that young man.”
    Jessie’s
eyes widened a little. Her father sounded furious, yet calm. He even sent a
shiver down my spine.
    “So
when am I getting out of here?”
    “One
more checkup from the doctor and you’re free to go. I ran into him at the
nurse’s station. He should be here momentarily. Conrad, would you excuse us?
There are some things we need to discuss. Would you care to come over tonight
for a celebration dinner?”
    “I’d
like that, sir. Thank you. I’ll see you tonight, Jess. Get some rest,” I
said and stood.
    “I
will. I’ll miss you.”
    “I’ll
miss you more.” I walked toward the door.
    “Um,
Connor?”
    I
turned. “Yes?”
    She
glanced furtively at her father who rolled his eyes and looked up at the
ceiling. She mouthed the words, “I love you.”
    I
winked and did the same.

 
     
    Chapter 5
     
    My
stomach started rumbling as I swung my leg over my scooter. I hadn’t eaten
anything in almost twenty-four hours. That was unheard of. I briefly got over
the shock that I wasn’t passed out on the ground moaning for hamburgers.
    I
pulled out my cell, checked the time, and weighed my options. It was almost
noon. Unfortunately I had zero cash. I could eat at home or go home and
scrounge some pretzel cash from the old folks. The thought of soft, warm, salty
pretzels left little room for decision making. I should probably check up on
Mom and Dad anyway.
    The
drive was quick and uneventful. I pulled into the driveway and practically ran
into the house. “Mom, Dad, I’m hooome!”
    “Where’s
your sister?” Mom peeked her head out from the kitchen.
    “She’s
still a little weird about yesterday. She’s venting at the mall with some
friends.”
    “She’s
grounded!” I heard Dad’s voice from the kitchen.
    I
had forgotten all about it. I walked through the living room into the kitchen.
Dad was sitting at the round kitchenette table eating a sandwich while Mom was
doing something on her laptop at the counter. I looked over at Dad and caught
his eye. I hated doing it but… “You told her she had suffered enough and
let her off last night.”
    “Oh,
okay.”
    Mom
lifted her head up in shock and I calmly said, “You remember, don’t you
Mom?”
    “Yeah,”
she said and went back to work. I had a little bit of a sick feeling in my
stomach. It was getting too easy to mind magic my ‘rents. Then I realized
something. I wasn’t a selfish kid. If you gave most teens the power that I had,
their rooms would be full of gaming gear and nacho machines. My parents had it
easy. I would