Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition by Elizabeth Knox (top 5 ebook reader txt) π
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- Author: Elizabeth Knox
Read book online Β«Twisted Steel: An MC Anthology: Second Edition by Elizabeth Knox (top 5 ebook reader txt) πΒ». Author - Elizabeth Knox
βI survived,β she reminded him. βBut I need to know whatβs causing my vertigo and what triggered my shift. I canβt work unless I know Iβm in control. We have human clientele at The Pole Barn. They donβt know that weβre shifters. Madam Belle has the magick to help hide the obvious but itβs only when weβre in human form. Is it stress, do you think? Or the drugs that they gave me? Do I need to take something else for it? Got any magick up your sleeve, Dr. Steele?β
Sheβd seen his forearms, corded muscle and vein-roped, hair-dusted skin, sleeves rolled up as a prelude to a spanking, using his hand or his belt.
βRichard,β he reminded her. βI think the two of us are past Dr. Steele and Miss Lockheart.β
βRichard,β she repeated, feeling chastised. βBelle was worried about me driving. The dizzy spells. Do you think itβs safe, or do I need to wait a while?β
βIβd prefer no driving until weβve ruled out some things. There are a number of causes for vertigo. Some of them can be helped with medication. Othersβlike those with a viral componentβneed to run their course. Iβm recommending blood work, rest, and relaxation in a tranquil environment. No driving until youβve gone a full day without an episode, and even then Iβd recommend taking it easy. Limit yourself to short trips and pay attention to your body. Pull over at the first sign that something is wrong. Meanwhile, Belle should be here soon. I texted her when we were close to wrapping up the session.β
She arched an inquisitive brow. βHow did you know I was almost done?β
His cheeks colored a bit. βBecause your story was linear, starting from when you were taken to now. When you began describing the Hellβs Fury clubhouse, I figured it was safe to call her. You were already well into the aftermath, yes?β
Now it was her turn to blush. βI donβt normally kiss and tell,β she promised him.
βI know,β he said softly, βand whatever is said here will remain between us. How are you feeling?β
βBetter. A bit drained,β she decided. βIβll probably take a nap when I get back.β
βYes,β he agreed. βYou didnβt get much sleep last night.β
The only way heβd know that was if sheβd told him about Quake.
Jesus.
She wasnβt certain if she would ever agree to hypnosis again if she was going to be spilling all of her secrets, not just the ones that could account for her triggers.
Rory didnβt have time to fret about it. The doorbell sounded. Richard glanced at a monitor on his desk. βBelleβs here. Are you good to walk?β
Rory was stiff but she managed to shoulder her purse, exit his office, and make her way to the exterior door.
Richard opened it to let Madame Belle inside. βIβd like to see you tomorrow,β he said, looking at her but speaking to her boss just as much. βThe same time, if you can get a ride.β
βShe can,β the Fae answered. βIβll bring her myself. Just text me the code and Iβll have her here.β
Rory felt like a truant child in need of supervision but there was no help for it. She was under doctorβs orders to not drive until she was episode-free for twenty-four hours and tomorrowβs appointment time would fall short of that.
Exhaling sharply, she pulled up her big girl panties and nodded. βIβll see you tomorrow. Thanks for everything, Dr. Steele.β
Calling him Richard in front of Belle would have raised penciled-on eyebrows.
She followed Belle out to her car, a vintage model like Elvis had driven, and settled into the passenger seat, buckling up for the ride. Belle took off like a bat from hell, flying low, ignoring the speed limits to get back in time to open.
βAmos knows I might be late,β she chirped, βbut I want to get you settled before I go in.β
Rory sighed. βIβm sorry to be so much trouble. And so . . . , so sorry for going feral on you. We still donβt know what happened.β
Belle clucked like a mother hen. βIβve seen worse. Trust me.β Hoping to distract her, she turned on the radio and fiddled with the knob, trying to find a station to listen to. Flicking glances between the radio and the road ahead of her, she didnβt notice trouble in the rearview mirror until it was upon them.
βFuck,β she grated. βDeathβs Head jackals. Six oβclock.β
Flooring it, Belle tried to put distance between them. One tire exploded when it was shot, threatening to send the car out of control. Rory saw black spots in her vision. Her forearms darkened. Her hands became paws and her nails became claws.
The car came to a shuddering stop. Belle started chanting, conjuring up something, but not soon enough to stop the jackals from breaking out both front windows and ripping open their doors.
βBitch,β someone called her.
Roryβs mind went red with rage. Her vision narrowed to a long, dark pit and then went black.
βMagenta?β
Madam Belleβs voice came from a distance. Rory just wanted to sleep.
βHoney. Wake up. Come on now. We need to get out of here.β
What?
Rory forced her eyes open, squinting against the headlights. Belle knelt beside her, looking wide-eyed and pale and uncharacteristically shaken. βYour clothes are in the car,β she told her. βPlease. We need to go before someone finds them.β
Clothes? Them?
Managing to sit up, Rory surveyed the carnage around them. There was nothing but dead jackals as far as the eye could see, with savaged throats and broken bodies.
Oh, God.
βDid I . . . ?β
βIβve never lied to you. I wonβt start now. We can talk in the car. Come on, Magenta. Thatβs a girl. Come on now.β
Rory didnβt have a stitch left on her. Her skin was streaked with crimson and crusted with dirt. Smelling
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