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

friends here have just done, and I know you don’t really want to do us any harm.” Melody stood her ground, evidently getting a read on Nash. “I can feel your reluctance. You’re not a violent man, Nash. So why don’t we all calm down and try to pretend we’re rational people who don’t want anyone dead.”

Nash narrowed his eyes. “Empath, are you?”

“I am, but I am more than that. My name is Melody Winchester, and I am the new Librarian. Telling you that is an enormous risk to my safety, but I hope you will take that as a sign that we mean well,” Melody replied, shocking Luke and me. “We only want to talk. We aren’t here to rob you, or hurt you, or anything like that.”

A stalemate stretched between us all. I stood, dusting snow from my pants. Nash hesitated, his gaze flitting from Melody to Luke to me and back again. I mean, who could honestly look at Melody and her chubby cheeks and think she wanted to cause trouble?

A lifetime later, Nash lowered his hands. He used one to ruffle the husky’s fur, apparently signaling the beast to stand down. It visibly relaxed, concealing its fangs as its demeanor shifted to fluffy puppy. Steam rose up from its pink tongue as it lolled from its mouth, giving no indication that it still wanted to send us all to kingdom come.

“You understand my wariness. A man’s property is his empire, and those who enter unannounced don’t tend to have good intentions,” Nash said. “Especially those who sneak up and hide in the trees. You see how it looks to a fella?”

“Well, that’s why you ask questions first and shoot people later, when you don’t like what they’ve got to say,” I replied sharply. Men who waxed lyrical about property and empires tended to have a dose of the high-and-mighties, and I loved taking that kind of person down a peg or two. “Glad to see you’ve got the common sense to back down when you can’t win, though. Luke and I would have floored you, anyway… and your little dog, too.”

Nash scowled. “Excuse me?”

“Ignore him. He rambles when he’s nervous, and I think your dog scared the living daylights out of him,” Melody cut in before I said anything we might all regret. She shot me a Seriously, Finch? look that made me smirk.

“Biggest husky I’ve ever seen,” Luke murmured.

I shrugged. “Doesn’t look so bitey now, though.”

“That’s because I don’t want her to bite… for now.” Nash crouched and stroked the dog’s face. The beastie lapped it up. And literally began lapping Nash’s face, giving him a tongue-bath.

“You want us to give you some privacy?” I laughed, ignoring another warning glance from Melody.

“I guess every group has a joker. Not my taste in humor, though. Too lowbrow for me,” Nash replied coolly. “And this is not just any husky, though I’m guessing you’ve figured that out by now. This is my Familiar, Huntress.”

Melody’s face morphed into excited-chipmunk mode. “I’ve read so much about them, but I’ve never met a real one!”

I scoffed. “Aren’t they just souped-up pets?”

“No, they’re so much more!” Melody explained enthusiastically. “They’re extremely rare in this day and age, and have special abilities of their own, acquired through a series of magic rituals. They share a unique and complex bond with their magical, forged over years and years. A bonding of souls, in a manner of speaking, which is so strong that it causes immense pain to the magical if the Familiar dies, and vice versa. It’s supposed to be worse than the pain of a Purge.”

Nash smiled faintly. “Huntress and I were lucky to form that bond quicker than most. I’ve had her since we were both pups.”

“Not that this isn’t fascinating, but do you think we could take it inside?” I piped up. “I’ve been trudging through this great white pain in the ass for hours looking for you, and these chops won’t function if they’re frozen shut.”

“That wouldn’t break my heart,” Nash retorted, then peered at Melody. “Is he always so charming?”

“Oh yes. Always.” She chuckled. “But he’s not a bad guy, I promise. You know how people get when they’re frozen solid.”

“You should’ve worn a better coat,” Nash retorted.

“Yeah, yeah, I know I’m underdressed. Who knew Canada got so cold?” I tried to rein in the insults, considering I needed to win this guy over.

Melody rubbed her palms together pointedly. “So, how about some coffee?”

“Guess it wouldn’t be very neighborly of me to say no, now, would it?” He led us into the cabin, Huntress padding obediently at his side.

Twenty-Seven

Finch

“Cabin” might’ve been the wrong word for the vibe Nash had going on. I kicked the snow from my boots before entering to be a polite guest, and my stunned gaze rested on what could only be described as a workshop.

“Who’s on the naughty list, Mr. Claus?” I asked, catching Nash’s eye.

He gave a hint of a smirk. “I might switch you over, after the stunt you pulled out there.”

“What else is a guy supposed to do with a rifle stuffed in his face?” I replied. “Isn’t that right, Luke?”

Captain Beefcake shoved his hands in his pockets. “Don’t bring me into this. I’m only here to protect Melody.”

“I didn’t realize the government hired bodyguards for the Librarian.” Nash hung his coat on an iron hook by the door. “But I’m out of the loop. I don’t involve myself in magical society much these days.”

“They don’t.” Luke crossed to where Melody stood gaping at Nash’s workshop. “I’m a private hire.”

“Sensible.” Nash seemed to approve.

A roaring fire burned at the opposite end of the vast cabin, and I enjoyed the warmth sinking into my frozen body. The entire building was open plan, most of the space taken up by long wooden tables and miscellaneous machinery. Knives hung on racks and in various states of construction on the workbenches. Bone handles, wooden handles, semi-precious handles with gold