Ghost Stalker Read Free

more appropriate, she thought but could not reveal her revulsion without seeming a madwoman. He belonged in the woods, skulking aboutlike the trickster he was. But she couldn’t say so, for her people’s law prohibited her from doing anything that would reveal who and what she truly was.
    “Miss Healy?”
    She glanced at the men to see them both staring at her with wary expressions. She did not want this enemy in her home.
    “Yes, of course.” She turned away, preceding them across the dirt road. Why would the Thunderbirds drop an Inanoka on her doorstep?
    For reasons of their own, Thunderbirds protected these dreadful creatures and knew full well that their races hated each other. She had never even spoken to one but had seen them, one still in animal form and the other walking down the middle of the sidewalk of Billings, Montana, fooling the men, but not her.
    Why, by the Great Spirit, would Thunder Spirits carry such treacherous creatures on their backs? No one had ever been able to answer that one to her satisfaction.
    She had the door open and led the way to her study, situated beyond the kitchen and adjoining her bedroom. Choosing this room simply because she did not think the men could make it to the second floor. Across from the computer and overstuffed reading chair stood a daybed overflowing with pillows. She began piling them on the floor, finishing just as the men carried in the creature. They had one of its arms draped over each of their shoulders. His shoes dragged along between them, trailing dead leaves onto her clean floors.
    They lowered him to the sunny yellow bedspread and all three stood over him.
    “Look at those cuts,” said the assistant.
    “You might be right, Chuck. Something or somebody did that to him. I’d bet my bottom dollar on it.” He turned his attention to her. “Real lucky for him he collapsed here, unless it wasn’t luck. You think he was trying to reach you, Miss Healy?”
    “How? I didn’t see any car or truck,” said his underling.
    Let them try and work it out, she thought, knowing they never would. Creatures such as this had preyed on men for centuries. It was the responsibility of all Niyanoka to keep mankind safe from creatures like this, but to do so without them knowing of her people’s benevolence.
    Hal scratched his neck. “Damned strange. Better call the state police, I guess.”
    “Or the volunteer fire department. My brother-in-law is right up the road.”
    She felt a burst of relief, as if someone had turned on a warm, sweet shower to wash away all her troubles.
    “Yes, let’s do that.” They could take him away. That would be best all around.
    Hal leaned forward to examine the Skinwalker and Jessie tensed, ready to defend him if the creature showed any sign of aggression. She could not see much of his face past the bloody lacerations, but his dark hair was thick and straight, cut short on the sides, which—coupled with what she could see of his nose, mouth and jaw—confirmed he had blood of the first people. He had to if he was a Skinwalker.
    “He’s bringing up blood. Gonna need surgery, I’ll bet.”
    Jessie went cold. Surgery meant anesthesia and that meant this damned thing would change back into a beast right there in front of a room full of doctors.
    She couldn’t let that happen. Jessie set her jaw against the bitter taste rising in her throat. She swallowed, knowing what she must do and feeling uncertain that she was up to the task. She had spent her entire adult life helping people and had never intentionally caused harm to any creature.
    Even one like him.
    Jessie fastened her gaze on the Skinwalker, pressed down by the weight of her responsibilities.
    Her voice trembled only a little. “Phone is in the kitchen.”
    Hal stepped out, but the assistant remained.
    She glanced at him, forcing herself not to fidget. “Get me a towel from the bathroom, Chuck.”
    As he turned to go, she nearly called him back but found her voice had deserted