Ruffle My Feathers (The Seven - Book 2) by Ciana Stone Page B

window, not blinking, not moving one muscle.
    It was a sad sight and made sadder by the knowledge that he'd done this to himself to protect Nevaeh. Something was fundamentally wrong with his people and humans that people had to go to such extremes.
    He put his hand on Nathanial's shoulder and closed his eyes. Angels rarely spoke of their powers but he did possess the ability to reach into Nathanial's mind and communicate what he'd learned from Severin.
    Gabriel felt tension in the muscles beneath his hand and knew he'd managed to weave his way through the fog that clouded Nathanial's mind.
    "We have to help her." His voice was a soft whisper. "We have to stop them. I need you to understand."
    When he was blasted with memories of Nevaeh and another woman being there, he struggled to take in the facts and dismiss the distortions caused by the spell on Nathanial's mind.
    They will come again, Nathanial. And when they do you have to convince her that she's not safe, that she can't trust them. I know you don't know me and so you don't know if you can trust me. But there must be someone among our people you can trust. Whoever that is, you have to ask for them, get word to them.
    Abruptly the link was severed. Gabriel felt Nathanial's body go slack. He didn't have to look to know the man was unconscious. He turned to leave, casting a look back as he reached the door.
    Whoever had taken Nevaeh had known to bring her here, to her father. That meant they were going to play on Nevaeh's love for her father. But what did they want? And would Nevaeh end up being the one to get hurt?
    That was the question that concerned him the most.
     
    *****
    Nevaeh walked outside and took a deep breath of the humid air. This was one of those few times she wished she had a landline. With her purse, phone, laptop, and even her Kindle still at Asha's estate, she couldn't place a call, send an email or even buy a cup of coffee.
    She was screwed. She's had to break a window in her duplex to get in yesterday after Elysia dropped her off and the only thing she had to cover the window was her shower curtain and thumbtacks.
    So, what to do? She'd dug around and found enough change to use a pay phone but she had no clue where to find one. Where was the last place she'd even seen a pay phone?
    Just then, her neighbor, Debbie Grant stepped outside.
    "Debbie! Thank god. Can I ask a favor?"
    "Hey Nev. I'm late. Can we talk later?"
    "I just need to borrow your phone for one minute. I lost my phone and car keys and I have to call my boss or I'm going to get fired."
    "Fine." Debbie dug out her phone and handed it to Nevaeh.
    Nevaeh accessed the keyboard and hesitated. She didn't remember her boss's number or any of the people she worked with. Those were all programmed into her phone. She stared at the keyboard for a few seconds then blew out her breath and
    "I thought –"
    "Can't remember the number."
    "Tell me about it. My fucking life's in my phone. I lose it and I'm fucked."
    "Yeah, don't I know."
    "Okay, I gotta go. See ya."
    "Yeah, see ya."
    Nevaeh watched Debbie get into her car, then turned, and went back inside the duplex. She had to figure out a way to get in touch with Layla and see about getting her belongings sent to her.
    The question was how to contact someone without a phone.
    It came to her in a flash. The connection with Augustus.
    Hello? Augustus? Are you there?
    Nothing.
    She tried to concentrate, imagining his face. Augustus?
    Still nothing.
    Damn, this Vampire connection thing wasn't very dependable.
    Okay, scratch that. She'd have to find another way. She snapped her fingers and smiled as she remembered scribbling Layla's number on her notebook at the theater, the one she used to keep a list of supplies needed for the theater.
    All she had to do was get downtown and she could get the number and use the phone at the theater. She tried to ignore the voice inside her head. All you have to do? You are at least 20 miles from downtown and have about 74