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

Breandan’s gaze was still fixed onTomas, but I felt him greet me with joy. Through the bond, I felthow scared he had been for me, and how glad he was now that I wasnear.

Turning my concentration from thedemons at my back, I focused on him and him alone. I took a hold ofmy nature and reached out. His hand was already there, and ourfingers laced together to clutch tightly. A pulse of light dancedacross our palms and lit the dark street briefly, but no more. Itwas nothing but a flash of harmless light. I breathed out. My eyesdrifted closed and peace swept over me. His presence was a balmthat revived and refreshed me. Sighing, I let my hand fall to myside and so did he.

Then his focus turned inward, and myperception of him completely winked out of existence.

I was so shocked by the unexpecteddisconnect I lost my sense of direction –since Breandan acted as mycentre of being – and I stumbled off the last step. He sidesteppedme and I had to use my tail to steady my faltering movement.Straightening, I looked between him and those who stood above us.Somewhere in the haze of my consciousness, I glimpsed aforewarning. The death of one of my loves was upon me, and it wasinescapable.

Lightning flashed above in a fork ofbright light highlighting the vampires from behind so they seemedmalevolent shadows gilded with a gloom darker than the night.Thunder boomed and the ground shook, yet the profound reverberationdid not cover Gwendolyn’s sudden and creepy giggles.

“No, fairy. It will nothappen,” Tomas said appose to nothing. “This is my territory. Onthis ground I decide how this will be resolved.”

“We have a score tosettle,” Breandan replied.

The vampire’s shoulders lifted in whatcould be passed as a shrug. “Your ways mean nothing tome.”

The rain fell so hard the water on theconcrete ran over the tops of my boots. My clothes were stuck to meuncomfortably, and I pushed my hair back off my face, wiping itroughly as I did. The clouds flashed with a myriad of colors, andbeneath my confusion, I felt a jolt of excitement at the weather.My nature buzzed, my skin goose pimpled, and I shivered.

“I see,” Breandan saidafter a pause, and a flash of irritation down the bond was abruptlyerased by the nothing. “Then only one thing can bedone.”

My fairy turned to face me and bowedlow at the hip, one hand pressed to his heart.

Tomas moved forward. “No,” hegrowled.

Gwendolyn blinked with a fakeddiffidence, and put a hand on his arm. “Stop.” Tomas’ snarl cut offand his head dipped in submission to his Queen. Gwendolyn leaned onthe rusted railings and snickered. “Priestess. We never got achance to fight like the warriors we are, but I live in hope youwill be victorious so we may yet meet on the battlefield.” Shepaused, her gaze briefly switching to her mate who stood stiffly ather side. “That is if I ever convince my consort to retract hisclaim on you as his plaything.” She giggled madly, ringletsbouncing, and gods didn’t I want to scratch her pouty faceoff.

Not that I ever did fully understandwhat was happening around me, but right then, I was completelylost. I looked at Breandan for answers as to what the hell wasgoing on.

He watched Tomas with a fierceconcentration like he was waiting for something. I tired readingthe vampires expressions and ended up more confused for Daphnelooked horrified, and Tomas anxious. Though I knew Gwendolyn wascrazy, the twinkle in her eye looked anticipatory rather thanmanic. What the hell was the Queen talking about? What was goingon? Breandan was here beside me, he had come to save me, and herlunatic subordinates were scattered across the city looking for thegrimoire. I was about to escape and so Tomas’ reaction kind of madesense, Daphne seemed weird anyway, but my main worry was Gwendolyn.She seemed happy, jovial, even.

I turned to Breandan to gauge hisreaction, and that was the only reason I saw his fist flying towardmy face. I ducked, more like my legs gave out in shock, and I hitthe ground with a frantic splash. His stamping foot came a momentlater, cracking the concrete when it landed between my legs. Iscrambled on all fours before I rolled backward, and gained myfeet.

I bent my knees and held out a hand,palm up. “Breandan!”

He paced; eyes measuringand stone cold. He took note of my movement – searched for aweakness. He was fightingme. He took a feinting step toward me, beautifulface etched with deadly intent, and I had no choice but to feintback.

Breandan came at me again, face blankof emotion.

I was terrified. Absolutely, heartstopping, terrified. It was all I could do to keep him fromsmashing into me. Whirling on my heel, I turned to dartaway.

Was I running away? Hell yes! I wasrunning away. I was no match for him physically, and magic was nogood to me here. I could grasp it, but nothing happened when Itried to use it.

Breandan dived over my head, spinningin an intricate tumble of flips to land with a soft splash ahead ofme, expression contemptuous.

I shot a wild look at the vampireswatching us. Tomas leaned forward apprehensively. The skin seemedoverly stretched on his face as he stared at me.

Breandan lunged for me again and thistime he clipped my arm as I shifted out of the way. I cried out, myarm wrenched in my socket, and crumpled.

I did not understand what washappening. What had I missed? Did he covertly signal to me or tryto transmit his plan to me through the bond, but I had missed it –too busy sneering at Gwendolyn?

Breandan slowly stalked over andpicked me up. My heart stuttered in relief. Then he heaved meoverhead, swung round, and tossed me. I hit the concrete steps witha loud thump, and it felt like my bones snapped, shuddered, andground together trying to escape through my flesh. I lay there fora few beats before rolling onto my side. Only once my body flaredwith heat and healed – my blood returning to my extremities ratherthan rushing around my ears and