Free Snake Charmer by Zenina Masters Page A

when she emerged, she could not get into her human form fast enough.
    Her snake form was no longer the joy or safe haven it had once been. She was officially the most timid cobra that had ever slithered through her family tree. Yvena wanted something more, but even after months of therapy, she wasn’t sure that she would be able to manage it. Throwing herself into the Crossroads would cause her to react. When she was in doubt, she could always react. It was the snake in her. Life was something that had passed her by until she was captured; now, she was fixated on participating in whatever socially uncomfortable manner she could.
    Going to the Crossroads was right up that alley. She would learn how to speak to people, to make friends out of strangers, and if she were lucky, she would find someone willing to look past her wall of crazy.
    She didn’t hold out much hope, but she had to try. Her life at the recovery centre was over; time for the next step.
     
    The transporter smiled and checked the map. “You live here?”
    Yvena Kastric nodded. “That is my home.”
    The transporter made notes. “I can take you home today, and you will be in a transport position in four days. I can send you to the Crossroads then if you like.”
    Yvena nodded. “Yes, please. I have the donations from my family ready.”
    Transporter Wekkian smiled, “You don’t need it. You were offered free passage as part of the rescue and rehabilitation effort.”
    Yvena rubbed the back of her neck. “Can I book it? I really don’t want to give myself time to change my mind.”
    “Of course. Transporter Igorson handles that area, but I can make sure that he puts you on his schedule.”
    Yvena frowned and quickly wrote out her email address. “Send a picture of him here. I am not in the mood to trust strangers.”
    The transporter blinked and then nodded. “Of course. You have been through a trial.”
    “If it was a trial, I was convicted without testimony.”
    He looked at her and was a little upset by her wry manner. She mentally sniggered as he resumed giving her an appointment card and asking her to get to her feet.
    “You will receive a call before the transporter arrives.”
    “It is a good thing that my family paid the phone bill while I was out here.” She sighed and scribbled the number on the page attached to his clipboard.
    He looked at a loss for what to say next.
    She waved to the staff at the recovery centre and noted that Liander was missing. She sighed. “Transporter Wekkian, please, send me home.”
    Light flared, and she was wrapped in warmth. A moment later and she was on the road, five minutes from her house.
    The warmth of the air caused her to shiver. She slung her pack over her shoulder and carried the clothing that had been donated to her down the road to her house.
    Eight months. It had been eight months since she had seen her home. She turned down her drive, and tears came to her eyes. Her family had kept up the maintenance on her home.
    Despite the distance between them, they had cared enough to help her when she could not help herself. For the first time since she had been taken, she left herself cry.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    Her studio showed signs that someone had tried to tidy it. The cards and machines were all in the wrong places.
    She groaned as she took an inventory. She would have to try to contact her old clients and see if they were interested or she could change her company name and start over.
    Starting over seemed like the best option. Explaining how she had been kidnapped and returned after therapy was not something she was interested in doing.
    When she entered her kitchen, the only thing that was available was a bag of chips. She grabbed her purse, checked that she had cash and went to do a few days’ worth of shopping.
    This time, she would leave her house with the intention of making it dormant for a few days or weeks. She would be in control of her departure.
    She had four days to prepare, and