The Tome of Bill (Book 7): The Wicked Dead Read Free

I’m well versed in your shit. If that doesn’t prove we know each other, I don’t know what does.” I’d barely finished the sentence when I instinctively brought my hands down to block the knee that was incoming. “See?”
    To my surprise and relief, a ghost of a smile appeared on her face. “I guess I have been milking it a bit.”
    I held up a hand with my thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “Just a little.”
    All at once, the volume of her voice dropped, along with any attitude that had been in it. “I want to remember. Really I do.” She blinked, and her eyes turned back to their normal dazzling green. I looked into them and could sense the confusion, desperation, and false bravery radiating from within her.
    “I know, and believe me, I will do whatever I can...”
    The door opened and Christy appeared. “Everything okay in here? I thought I heard something breaking.”
    “Sally just had an accident with her glass.”
    “Yeah,” she replied, turning away from me, her attitude back in force. “I accidentally missed his head with it.”
    * * *
    Christy stepped out into the living room where I stood waiting for her. She put her hands on her hips and looked at me disapprovingly. “Really? Do you have to start with her?”
    “Me?”
    “Are you trying to tell me you didn’t?”
    “Well...”
    “I thought so.” She turned back toward her bedroom.
    “Wait.”
    “What, Bill? I’m tired.” She had dark circles under her eyes. Mucking around in Sally’s head, trying to undo the compulsion put there by Alex – quite possibly the strongest vampire on the planet – was difficult enough. That she was doing so while heavily pregnant was obviously adding extra strain.
    Sadly, if I had my way, it wasn’t going to get any easier for her.
    I’d been putting off this talk long enough, busy debating with myself the downsides of my considered endeavor. I knew deep down, though, no matter how long I hemmed and hawed over things, there was only one logical conclusion. It was time to stop pretending I had a choice.
    The chances of Sally getting her memories back before we were forced to act were almost nil. Without her full faculties, she was at a disadvantage, and we’d be heading north with enough of those as it was. It was time to add a few plusses to our column for a change – or so I hoped.
    I stepped away from Sally’s room and beckoned Christy to follow.
    She joined me with a sigh. “Listen, I’m sure this can wait until...”
    “How’s it going with her?” I asked in a whisper, hopefully low enough so prying ears couldn’t hear me.
    “You already know how it’s going. You were just in there. We’re uncovering bits and pieces, but it’s one big jigsaw puzzle.”
    “You are making progress, though, right?”
    Seeing that I wasn’t backing down, she nodded and lowered her voice to match mine. “Yes. It’s slow, but little by little, I’m making headway.”
    “So you know what you’re doing in there?” I raised a finger and pointed it to my temple.
    “That vampire did a job on her, but I’m no slouch when it comes to mind magic. But you know this already. I’ve told you as much.”
    “You’re right. Just double checking.”
    “Is that why we’re whispering?”
    “Not quite.” I stepped closer to her, my next words barely audible. “Could you do it to me?”
    “What?”
    “Could you go inside my mind and do the same thing?”
    “In theory, but you’re not missing any memories, so why would we even bother?”
    “You’re wrong,” I replied, taking a deep breath. Oh well, in for a penny. “I’m missing three months of my life. That doesn’t even count a big fight up in Canada and a battle with a bunch of Mongolian assassins, all of which are a blank for me.”
    For a moment, she looked confused, but then her eyes opened wide with understanding. “What are you asking me to do?”
    “We’re in a bad spot right now. We have the Draculas threatening us with their bullshit