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

I didn’t have that kind of dough, and I didn’t have time to rustle it up.

It didn’t sit well with me, to swipe it from under that kind old lady’s nose, but I was fresh out of choices. Maybe I could’ve called Saskia, but that’d bring flirtations and protestations of “You only want me for my money,” which I didn’t have the patience for right now.

Ah, screw it. If that book could free me before I wound up dead in Atlantis, then drastic measures called for drastic action.

I found a darkened alleyway between stores and Shifted into O’Halloran before heading back to the shop. I pretended I’d been running, panting for breath as I burst in, badge-flashing like my life depended on it.

“I’m sorry to bother you, ma’am, but we have it on good authority that one of Davin Doncaster’s minions has targeted your shop, using the form of one of my people. We have been watching your shop, in case they struck, and he was just spotted a moment ago, leaving here,” I wheezed. “Security personnel are chasing the Shapeshifter as we speak, but the book they were sent to steal is no longer safe here. Unless… they took it? Did they take it, ma’am? This is of vital importance.”

The old lady trembled. “N-no, they didn’t. I’ve just put it away.”

“That is good news, ma’am. I thought I might’ve come too late. May I take it from you, temporarily, and put it in lock-up at the SDC? It will be returned to you as soon as we know the threat has passed.” O’Halloran would kill me for this, but hopefully he’d never find out.

“It’s a v-very valuable book.”

“Which is precisely why we must keep it out of the hands of those who’d use it for ill, ma’am,” I insisted, O’Halloran’s voice coming out perfectly. The beauty of Mimicry. “You’ll have it back soon enough, I promise. I will personally ensure nothing happens to it. Please, ma’am, this is a matter of life and death.”

“Life and death?” she shrieked, hurrying to the shelf and removing the book.

“I’m afraid so, ma’am.” That wasn’t entirely a lie.

She pressed the book into my hands. “I wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Truly, you’ve helped the SDC a great deal today. I’m only glad I arrived in time. Doncaster’s minions are slippery creatures—they can’t be trusted.”

“I had no idea. He was so convincing.” She wrung her hands, which made me feel awful. I was convincing. One of the perks of Mimicry was the ability to Shift my Esprit, as well as the rest of myself. And I’d Shifted it into O’Halloran’s badge—an item unique to him. No one else had it.

“They always are, ma’am,” I replied. “It would be best if you didn’t mention this to anyone. We’re still watching Waterfront Park closely for any strange activity, and I’d hate for these troublemakers to be tipped off.”

She nodded effusively. “Of course. I won’t say a word. I hope you can catch them before they make any mischief.”

“As do I, ma’am. As do I.” I held the book to my chest. “Now, I won’t take up any more of your time. Thank you again for your service.”

“Thank you for your service,” she said. “It’s a comfort to know that we’re being protected by the likes of you.”

“Good day to you, ma’am.” I tilted my head at her before exiting the shop with the book safely in my arms. Yeah, I felt bad, but she’d get it back. I planned on returning it… at some point. Hopefully before O’Halloran found out that a Shapeshifter had used his identity to steal from a local shop. Then, there really would be a manhunt.

Eight

Finch

Walking like John Wayne with the dusty book wedged in the back of my pants, I made it early to Ignatius’s Restaurant—a chintzy Italian joint with waxy gingham tablecloths and candles shoved mercilessly into wine bottles. Still, I’d heard the food was better than the décor. And my tummy growled like a rabid wolf on the hunt for calzone.

To be honest, I’d rather spend my evening finding Melody and having a little alone time with this here book, but the prospect of Harley hounding me for the next decade held me to my promise. Besides, I’d been away for a while, and I’d kept her in the dark even longer. Now that the truth was more or less out, I owed her a family dinner. Even if cozy get-togethers weren’t really my jam.

“Good evening, sir.” The host picked up a solitary menu. Wow, do I really look like that much of a sad sack?

“Hi there. I’m meeting people here, but I’m early.”

The host made an “ah” of understanding. “What name is it?”

“It’ll be under Merlin.”

He ran his hand down the list. “Yes, here it is. Merlin. I believe another guest has already arrived. She must be as eager as you, but with gnocchi like ours, it’s only natural. If you’ll follow me?”

I stifled a laugh. “Lead the way to the gnocchi.”

My good humor died as we rounded a corner and arrived at a big wooden booth with shiny, red vinyl upholstery. Very much in keeping with the rest of the restaurant’s chintz. I’d expected the guest to be Harley, as the hostess with the mostest. And she was a stickler for punctuality. But Ryann sat there instead, alone at the table. She had her head bowed over her cellphone, tapping frantically.

Oh boy… I’d have preferred Santana and that scaly biter of hers over trying to make small talk with the girl I was madly in love with. Emphasis on madly. I was a couple missed pills from going around with a top hat and a March hare, and maybe a dormouse in my teacup.

“Can I get you a drink, sir?” The host interrupted my trip down the rabbit hole.

“Uh… lime and soda, please.” Something boozy would only feed the gremlins. Cecily’s beloved Riesling had taught me that. It might