Mercy for the Damned Read Free

indistinct, shifting appearance, as if he was made up entirely of shadows.  I happened to know his mouth sported rows of sharp little teeth, but I also knew he’d sooner cut off his own right arm than hurt me. 
    “That was the plan,” I had to admit.  So since I had the extra ace in the hole, why did I feel more overwhelmed than before?  “You know, you can leave that stuff for now, Nelo.  I’ll take care of it in the morning.”
    “I don’t mind, Mistress.”
    No matter how many times I asked him, he never stopped calling me Mistress, and I admit, I kinda liked it.  But at that moment, I didn’t want any company, not even his earnest little face smiling up at me.  All I wanted was… well, that wasn’t going to happen unless Adam magically appeared before me, so for the moment I would settle for a good night’s sleep. 
    I left Nelo fluffing couch pillows and went to bed early for once.  Unfortunately, my body wouldn’t cooperate.  While I chased after that sweet oblivion, something kept me from finding even the false happiness of dreams.  Tossing and turning, I couldn’t seem to find the right position that lent itself to slipping out of consciousness.
    Even my cat, Mimsy gave up, leaving her usual spot at the bottom of my bed when I rolled over one too many times.  Eventually I gave up and lay there concentrating on the tendril of connection I had with Adam.  I could feel him out there, very far away, but alive.  That tenuous thread was enough to carry me through the night. 
    The first rays of dawn that slit in through the blinds found me glad for a reason to get up and around again.  A hot shower and a cup of coffee, and I almost felt human again, even if I did feel cut off from the rest of humanity.  Without Sam to keep me company and Nelo asleep in the hall closet where he retreated from the harsh rays of the sun, the apartment seemed quieter than usual.  Odds were it’d be quite some time before everyone came back for another session of brainstorming, none of us were exactly early risers.  The sharp knock at the door gave me a corresponding jolt of anticipation.  Maybe Daphne wanted a little one on one time? 
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
    Completely forgetting to check to see who it was first, I flung the door open with a cheerful smile, coming to a short stop at the stern face of my early morning visitor.  Clearly she wasn’t a morning person either, and she looked like she hadn’t had her daily cup of coffee.  Just a little shorter than me with dark hair pulled back into a no-nonsense bun, she wore blue jeans and a black turtleneck with a heavy navy peacoat. 
    “Oh, um… hi,” I recovered, drawing my cardigan a little closer around me.  “Can I help you?”
    “Merceline Renault?”  Her dark eyes assessed me critically, and I instantly regretted not playing the ‘not at home’ game, usually reserved for Jehovah’s Witnesses and kids peddling cookies. 
    Uh oh… “That’s me, can I help you?”
    “I’m Detective Anna Santiago, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”  She held up her badge long enough for me to look at it, before tucking it away again.
    A cop.  I was so used to Ben’s laid back, polite style, her stern approach caught me off guard.  “What is this about?”
    “You really want to do this in your hallway?” she cocked a single brow.  Her aura was a brilliant red, with darker swirls of red towards the center.  In my experience playing “spot the dirtbag” at work, that meant she had a hot temper, but wasn’t necessarily evil, per se.  Either way, I’d have to tread carefully with Detective Santiago. 
    “Ah right, come on in.” I stood back to let her pass, glad I’d already tidied up from the party the night before.  Even though I hadn’t done anything wrong, something about her made me feel guilty.  “Would you like some coffee?”  I was ready for another cup.
    “No, Ma’am.  I’d rather have some