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

is she? And don’t tell me she’s just a Winchester, because I won’t believe you. There’s something… odd about her. Not a bad odd, but something’s not quite right.”

Smelling that rat, are we?

“She’s just a friend helping me out.” I wanted to see if Harley could figure this out on her own. As far as I knew, she had never encountered another Empath. And I was dying to find out what happened when Empaths collided. Could they read each other?

“Bullcrap,” she hissed. “What’s the deal with her?”

I shrugged. “You tell me, Mademoiselle Empath.”

“You’re infuriating.”

I knocked into her gently. “I love you, too.”

“I’m already using my Empath abilities, dumbass. That’s how I know something’s off,” Harley explained. “I can sense something special about her.”

“Like what?” I probed.

“I don’t know. It’s hard to tell. It’s not like I can read her mind—it’s a sensation I feel.” Harley scrunched her face up, deep in thought. “It’s like a pulse, under layers of excitement, and awe, and curiosity.”

“Ooh, that’s weird.” Melody stepped away from the satyrs and twisted to stare at Harley.

“Is something the matter, Miss Winchester?” Tobe stooped toward her. “Did they alarm you? We can look at more agreeable creatures, if you prefer.”

“No, it’s not the satyrs.” Melody kept staring at Harley. “Is that you? Are you doing that?”

Harley raised her eyebrows. “Doing what?”

“Sensing me out.” Melody began to vibrate excitedly. “Oh, I can feel it! I feel what you’re feeling, like it’s right inside my brain! You’re curious about me, aren’t you? And… what’s that? Ah, you’re wary, which I suppose is natural considering what you’ve been through. But you don’t need to worry about me, I promise.”

Harley gaped. “You’re an Empath?”

“Same as you.” She nodded eagerly. “That’s a very strange sensation, isn’t it? Can you feel my emotions in your head, too? As if they’re yours?”

“I can.” Harley squealed in a very un-Harley-like fashion. “You’re so excited to be here. It’s making me excited, and I’ve seen all this a thousand times. This is so cool!”

“It’s hard to separate, isn’t it?” Melody giggled.

“It is, but I kind of like it.” Harley rushed to Melody, and they clasped hands and began jumping around like madwomen. “I could use enthusiasm like this when I’m trying to get through a shift.”

Melody danced a jig that Harley copied. “You can have it, whenever you want. I’ll feed it to you. I can be your Energizer bunny.”

“I definitely need one of those.” Harley laughed as they spun. Tobe looked on, baffled. He wasn’t the only one. Luke and I stepped back and exchanged a look that said, What the hell is happening?

“You’re nervous, too. What’s that for?” Melody stumbled to a halt. “Is it me? You don’t have to be scared of me. Finch will vouch for me. I’m here to help him—nothing to worry about.”

Harley shook her head. “No, that’s not what I’m nervous about.”

“And… wait… you’re in love. That’s wonderful!” Melody chirruped, flitting through emotions like a rolodex. “Who’s the lucky guy?”

“His name is Wade. I’ll introduce you to him. He’d like you; I know he would.” Harley looked at me. “Finch, why can’t you make more friends like this?”

I stared at her. “I’m not exactly in the market.”

“Well, you should be!”

Luke went into protective mode, narrowing his eyes at Tobe. “Did the satyrs do something to them?”

“This has nothing to do with the satyrs, I am afraid,” he replied. “This is entirely their own doing. I have a wide breadth of understanding about Purge beasts, but mortal beings are more mysterious to me.”

“Should we see more creatures?” Harley suggested to her new best pal.

Melody squeaked. “Yes, please!”

“Tobe, show us what you’ve got,” Harley instructed.

“As you wish, Harley.” A throaty chuckle escaped his jaws. He led the way, giving the girls a brief history of all the critters we passed: sylphs, sprites, wraiths, will o’ the wisps, goblins, hobgoblins, every kind of goblin. Harley and Melody gazed into each box like schoolkids on a zoo trip. All Luke and I could do was steer into the skid and follow from a safe distance.

Melody was beside herself, adding tidbits to Tobe’s knowledge. “Sylphs can be manipulated by magicals with Air abilities. They are one of the only Purge beasts linked directly to an Element. Isn’t that right, Tobe?”

“It is, Miss Winchester. Very impressive. You have a keen interest in Purge beasts.”

“I love them,” she agreed. “It’s mind-boggling that these beings are created by us, but we can’t predict which ones we might Purge.”

I smirked. “I mean, some of us go all out and Purge a Child of Chaos. Putting everyone else’s efforts to shame.”

Harley rolled her eyes. “I’m sure it was a fluke.”

“I’ve got a question for you, Tobe.” I returned my attention to the Beast Master.

“Of course. Ask away.”

“How many of the Purge beasts here were captured by the Basani twins?” I couldn’t resist.

Tobe ruffled his feathers. “The Basani twins sent perhaps one or two percent of these creatures.”

“Ha! I knew they were bluffing.” I punched the air in satisfaction.

“I doubt anything honest has ever left their mouths, except what the gas made them say,” Luke chimed in.

Harley raised a hand. “Am I missing something?”

“We’ve met them. Nothing important, just glad to confirm they were a pair of liars.” I smiled smugly.

Only when Tobe led us to a familiar hall with one solitary box did Harley’s giddiness ebb. This box should’ve been frosted over, but it wasn’t. Black smoke twisted and turned inside, slamming against the glass. Harley went right up to it with Melody in tow and placed her nose to the pane. Immediately, the smoke stretched into the slithery form of Leviathan.

“Harley, Harley, Harley. Long time no see,” he purred. “Anyone would think you’ve been avoiding me.”

Harley shot a grim look at Tobe. “Who took him off ice? And how the hell is he talking to me? Aren’t these boxes meant to be soundproof?”

“I am owed, Harley.” Leviathan swept up to the glass. “Do not keep me waiting too long. I