Demon Day by Penelope Fletcher (best novels in english .TXT) 📕

Breandan placed both his hands on theside of my neck and let his hands flow down, soothing. “We returnto face my brother. In time we will get the grimoire back, and inthe meantime we prepare for war.” I jerked, stared at himanxiously. “The humans will not stop nor will they show mercy. Itis us or them.” His hands briefly brushed over the scars on myshoulders and arms. “And I chose us.”

My brow crumpled, I was upset. “Thiscan’t be. You won’t erase one species but two. The vampires willdie out because … they need human blood don’t they? I rememberreading that human blood is their natural food source. So if thehuman population becomes extinct….”

The collective silence told me all Ineeded to know about what they thought of that potentialrisk.

“Many are in danger,”Conall said to cover the awkwardness. “Lochlann needs to know aboutthis. With Devlin gone he is High Lord.”

“He is not gone,” Wasp saidangrily. “He is captured and all we must do is save him. Your underlord does not hold the throne yet.”

Wasp walked over to me, a steely glintin her eye. I kept my back straight and showed no fear though myheart was pounding. I knew she could hear it, they could all hearit but I locked my joints and stiffened to stop myselftrembling.

Her eyes flicked over me curiously.“Nice scars. Almost puts my work to shame. Who knew humans could beso skilled and inventive.”

I wrapped my arms around my torso,holding myself together. There was a low rumble from Breandan, buthe did not move. I knew he was giving me space to stand my ownground, but right then I wouldn’t mind him smashing her face in,because from the churning and lurching in my stomach I was notgoing to be fit for much more than bending over in a cornersomewhere.

“So,” Wasp continuedcasually, “did they use pincers on your wings or a brandingiron?”

My stomach clenched painfully.Spinning around, I fell to my knees and retched.

The atmosphere shifteddramatically.

There was a small hand at my head,running a soothing hand down my back. Peering at me in concern,Maeve stroked my back. I looked away, nodded that I wasokay.

A wave of embarrassment had me duckingdown and tears stinging my eyes. So not only was I clueless, amisfit, and scarred. I was weak bellied and considered a coward forwanting us to find a non-violent way to end the feud between humanand demon. I scrunched my fingers together in the hard packed dirt.I did not feel strong anymore. Everything was so screwed up. I waslooked to for guidance and strength and I could barely keep myselffrom jumping at my own shadow.

But no matter how bad I felt, or howashamed or self-conscious I was, I had a job to do. One I had to besuccessful at. I would be brave until I felt brave. At the least, Icould show courage even if I felt hideous inside.

“Quiet,” I saidaloud.

The snarling ruckus behind me stoppeddead. Heaving myself up I brushed dirt off my knees andhands.

“Ah, the delicate onespeaks,” Wasp spat.

“Hag,” Lex shrieked andswiped at her with clawed fingers but Ro quickly grabbed her wristand yanked her back.

Amelia snarled and got in Wasps face.Most surprising was Nimah was there too – in-between her twin andAna – looking the fiercest of the three.

Conall and Breandan seemed about tocome to blows, as usual. My brother made calming gestures,cautioning Breandan to use restraint as he eyeballed Waspbalefully.

Alec looked pretty mad too, but washeld back by Maeve, her slender green hand clasping his tightly. Ihad less than a moment to recognize the surprise in his expressionand the longing in hers.

Runt was positively animated – dartingaround between their legs – not sure who to scratch or bite, butthe way his eyes kept landing on Wasp told me he had a good idea ofwhere to start.

These demons stood for me, were readyto fight for me. Rae the oddball, who was indecisive, scared ofmaking the wrong move or saying the wrong thing. None of themlooked at me any differently when they had seen my scars, themutilation to my skin.

Breandan called mebeautiful.

Yeah, I got picked on big time when Imade a mistake, but they were always there to help pick me back up.To help save me so I could save others. And I couldn’t grow up andsuck up my insecurities?

“I know at times I seem,weak, or afraid. And you’re right. I’m scared nearly all the timeand I know I make mistakes.” I cringed and rubbed my nose. “Lots ofmistakes … but I promise I am trying, and I’ll get better.”Gathering confidence, I blew out a breath. “What’s happening hereisn’t all about me, so let’s not make it all about me. There issomething huge and world changing about to go off. What we decidehere will shape our future, and that of all species, human anddemon. Both are important.” The entire group seemed stumped. Eyesgot wide; breaths came harder as they widened their perspectives.They were listening to me. With all the attention, I blushed, andwound my hands into my tunic. “So, uh, we’d better … um … I mean….”I straightened and lifted my chin. “We need to make the right damndecisions the first time round.” Silence. “Don’t you agree?” Ifinished in a small voice.

“I could go get Kalcifer,”Nimah offered. “We could use some muscle if we’re seriously goingto consider meeting up with the vampires.”

Grateful for some of the attention tobe shifted off me, I nodded enthusiastically then asked curiously,“Kalcifer is who?”

“A were-wolf,” sheclarified. “Though they’ll only be useful for a couple of days. Themoon cycle does mess them up big time. Damn witches and theircurses. Just imagine it, being tied to the lunar cycle, unable tocontrol your shift.” Her head shook in sympathy. “Kal’s pack is atwo day run to the South. They hibernate at the tip of the regionbefore the sea. Apparently there are fairies up there too that hisPack has been having troubles with. He’ll be grumpy, but he’llforgive us.”

Ro made a sound of confusion. “Wolvesare solitary.”

“Full wolf’s maybe, but forshifters the motto is safety in numbers. I