Harley Merlin 12 by Bella Forrest (story books to read TXT) 📗

“I’ve got to say, this is an unexpected surprise,” I said dryly.

Luke grimaced. “For you and me both.”

“Did she take all your toys away, until you promised to bring her?” I arched a knowing eyebrow.

“I tried to sit and wait for you to come back, I really did, but it seemed more useful if we were close by. I realized you might not know what you… uh… needed, so I thought we could drop in and make sure everything was clear as crystal,” Melody replied, blinking innocently up at Luke. “I also convinced him it would be an invaluable learning opportunity, and you know me—I love a learning opportunity.”

I gave a weary smile. “Queen of the bibliophiles.”

“I like that!” She beamed, making it difficult to hold a grudge. She absolutely shouldn’t have been here, but how could anyone say no to that enthusiasm? It radiated out of her, like a perpetual kid on Christmas.

“Sorry, my brother is terrible at social etiquette,” Harley interjected. “I’m Harley Merlin.”

“Oh, I know!” Melody chirped. “Everyone knows who you are. I’ve heard all about you from the papers, and the news, and from Finch, of course. The way he speaks about you is so beautiful. I can tell you mean a lot to him. You know, I always wanted a sibling, and I used to beg my mom and dad for a little brother or a sister, but they said they were happy with just me. And I suppose you can’t force them, can you?”

“You might consider taking a breath there, Melody,” I teased.

Her mouth fell open. “I’m so sorry, Harley. I’ve been rabbiting on without letting you get a word in edgewise. I guess I’m the one who’s forgotten my social graces.” She put out her hand. “I’m Melody Winchester, and this is Luke Prescott. He goes everywhere with me.”

I cast him an amused look. “He really does. Stuck to her like glue.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Melody.” Harley shook her hand, then moved on to Luke. “Are the two of you together, then?”

Melody giggled nervously. “No, nothing like that. He takes care of me. A bodyguard of sorts… not that I need a bodyguard! There’s nothing special about me, unless you count being a Winchester as special. My parents are just overly protective, so he goes where I go.”

Oh, Melody. That mouth of yours will get you in trouble one of these days. She’d babbled a little too much. Harley could sniff a rat from twenty feet away, and we were a lot closer than twenty feet. I hoped she’d chalk it up to youthful exuberance and Melody’s tangible elation at meeting the famous Harley Merlin. Meanwhile, Luke tried not to look crushed. I had to hand it to the guy: he had perseverance by the bucketload.

“A Winchester? As in the—” Harley started to speak, but I cut her off.

“Yep, the rifle guy and the creepy house. It’s got spooks coming out of every outlet.”

Harley frowned at me. “How do you know?”

“That’s where I’ve been the last couple days,” I whispered. “I met these guys on my latest mission for the E-man. They were supposed to wait in San Jose, but I guess they just couldn’t stay away.”

“I really did try,” Melody said, her tone apologetic. She couldn’t fool me. She was itching to get inside the SDC and pick Tobe’s brain.

“How did you even get here?” I eyed her curiously.

She flushed. “Chalk door. I picked up a thing or two from you.”

“Of course you did,” I mumbled.

“So, you’ve told your sister?” Luke came in, the voice of solemnity.

I sighed. “Turns out, honesty is the best policy. Who knew?”

“Doesn’t that put her in the same predicament as the rest of us? You, me, Melody, Kenzie, and that human girl?” I knew he’d deliberately pretended to forget Ryann’s name, and I didn’t bite.

“Harley knows what we’re up against, better than most. She’s not going to put herself in the firing line—isn’t that right, sis?” I put my arm around her shoulder and gave her a jolt of a hug.

Harley gave me a sharp hug back. “That’s right, bro.”

“Look at the two of you!” Melody cooed. “It’s everything I imagined. You must be the most formidable pair of siblings on Earth.”

“Don’t forget the Basani twins,” I retorted. “Their ears are probably burning.”

Melody pulled a sour face. “They’re nothing but a couple of fakers compared to you two. I don’t see either of you plastered over the front cover of glossy magazines, selling photos to add a few zeroes to your bank accounts.”

I swept back my hair theatrically. “I’m camera shy.”

“And the press doesn’t want any photos of me besides the candid, unflattering ones of me crossing the street without makeup and my hair all over the place,” Harley added. “I swear, they know when it’s laundry day.”

“Once, they took one of her trying to get her mouth around a double cheeseburger. Funniest thing I’ve ever seen, like a demon trying to devour someone’s soul. I’ve got it framed.” I shot Harley an evil grin, feeling slightly more like myself. She’d had that calming effect on me ever since our cult experience. Either that, or the six pills I’d taken were finally kicking in.

“Well, let’s not leave our guests out in the cold with that image stuck in their heads,” Harley announced. “Let’s get you inside.”

“Can we see the Bestiary?!” Melody blurted.

Harley straightened in surprise, a flicker of caution in her eyes. “The Bestiary?”

“Nothing to worry about. She’s got a thing for Tobe, that’s all,” I explained. “There’ll be posters on her walls after this.”

“Finch!” Melody protested. “Don’t make it sound weird. I’m simply interested in hearing what life is like for a thousand-year-old Beast Master, and I’d love to see the creatures he cares for. I know a lot about them, but I haven’t had the chance to actually see Purge beasts, so I’m very curious.”

“It’s a heck of a place.” Harley’s shoulders relaxed. “And