Free Blackthorne (The Brotherhood of the Gate Book 1) by Katt Grimm Page B

Creek, of course, was considered something else entirely, being located in an extinct volcano…the gates of Hell itself are rumored to be located here somewhere. The unexplained in Teller County isn’t an infrequent visitor…it’s a daily occurrence. Haven’t you seen a face in a crowd or passed someone on the street here that looks a little…off? Been in a room alone and heard your name spoken softly in your ear? Sat in a bar and have a hand laid on your shoulder…turn and no one is there? These things happen in this town all of the time. We have gotten a little jaded about it these days. But this occurrence, since whatever is floating around town this time is trying to hurt someone, might need looking into. Along with a few other things I am checking on.”
    “Like what?” Pam asked as she peeled at the label of her beer bottle with a polished chipped nail.
    At the same moment Rhi interjected, “ This time? What do you mean this time?”
    “If I were a Jedi Knight right now I would say that there has been a disturbance in the force. But since we are small town schmucks…” Houston broke off to examine his beer bottle for a moment. He looked up and grinned. “And in the late 1800s, this town was super supernatural. And the streets were a war zone.”

Chapter Ten
    Pam waved again for the waitress who hadn’t returned and expectantly sat up to demand more information from Houston. “Well?”
    The man sighed. “The recent rash of ‘rabid’ animals and people being ‘possessed’ by invisible hands which choke them is a repeat of something that has happened in this town before. Let’s be honest. Animals don’t become rabid in zero degree weather. It’s not the season for it. And the whole possession thing…”
    Rhi felt a frozen chill go up her spine. “Happened in this town before when ?”
    “A 120 years ago,” Houston replied. “By the way, Rhi, what’s your name short for?”
    Her face colored. This was one of her least favorite subjects and she would never understand what possessed her conservative father and mother to give her such an odd moniker.
    “It’s short for Rhiannon. And yes, I know she was a famous witch, you don’t have to tell me her history.” The Scottish witch who died at the stake in the 1600s was well-known to Rhi, who had been told the origins of her name by a helpful teacher when she was in elementary school. The teacher had no idea Rhi was trying to suppress her own supernatural abilities at the time…and the discovery that even her name led back to magic disturbed her even more.
    “Now isn’t that interesting. And the name Brennan is a Celtic name…meaning raven.” The older man glanced around the bar, looking uncomfortable for the first time that evening. “Let’s meet someplace a little quieter tomorrow for dinner and I’ll tell you everything.”
    Rhi and Pam both opened their mouths to protest, but Houston halted them quickly.
    “That’ll give me time to look up a few things and to ask a few questions. In the meantime, it’s time for you girls to get home safely for the evening. Stay here, I’m going to arrange an escort to your vehicles,” Houston said firmly, and then looked at them both with stern eyes that implied he was accustomed to having his orders followed. “You both go straight home and follow each other. Don’t stop. Don’t go out once you get home. Period.”
    He rose from the table to speak with the some large, flannel-covered gold miners who were playing pool nearby. Pam looked down at her leather pants and sighed.
    “I can’t believe I am even thinking about obeying that guy. He has such a ‘Daddy’ vibe for me, though. So much for burning the town down,” she said sadly and drained her beer. “I need to get some nachos to go at least before I hit the road.”
    “You never know, Pam, you might get a chance to do some burning yet,” Rhi replied as she stretched her legs out and examined the ceiling beams. She should be freaking