The Bleed: Book 2: RAPTURE David Moody (the red fox clan txt) 📖

we all might be missing it, I mean, except for me, because I’m about to say it,” Sam started. “If the forces of what we’re hoping are ‘good’ are getting us together, doesn’t it make sense that the other side would be doing the same?” She did her best to point at Rollo as nonchalantly as possible. It was as obvious as a three-year-old with chocolate on their face, shaking their head that they had not eaten part of the newly baked cake made specifically for their sibling’s birthday.

“Hey, didn’t you hear the part where I said I was going to become a clergyman?”

“That’s exactly what a double agent would say.” Sam was all in.

“There could be truth to her words,” Thistle stiffly stood in preparation for a battle. “I’ve seen it.”

“That doesn’t make sense; him being here is completely random,” Maddie replied.

“How did you meet him?” Thistle asked, never taking her eyes off of Rollo, who was beginning to squirm under the intense scrutiny.

“I, um, wanted to go check things out, I walked out of the hotel…he was there…waiting.” Her speech was halting as she thought about the events.

“Hold up, I wasn’t waiting, I was just there. You’re the one that appeared out of thin air right in front of me. You started it.”

“He followed me when the ticks came; he helped me to get back. I’m not sure I could have done it without him.”

“See, that’s what I’m talking about. I’m a helper.”

“That doesn’t necessarily mean he was helping you. You could have just been a means to an end,” Sam said.

“To do what? You’re all starting to feed into a paranoia of your own making. I’m not even armed,” Rollo said.

“None of us are either,” Thistle said. “Doesn’t prove anything.”

“Maddie, I saved you.”

“Multiple times,” she added.

“Doesn’t that count for something?” he asked.

“This isn’t a lynching,” she said.

“Yet,” Thistle replied.

“We can’t just go around killing everyone we’re suspicious of. What’s the point of saving anything?”

“Maybe we can just make him go outside,” Sam said.

“You’d send me out into that shit? I’d just as soon take my chances inside here,” he replied.

“You might regret that decision.”

“Thistle!” Maddie shouted.

“I just lost my father, my brother is gods know where, and I barely know either of you. As for Rollo, I don’t know him at all, and I trust him even less. He goes or I do.”

“I don’t think we should do anything rash.” Maddie had her hands out in a placating manner, Thistle’s fists were clenched and down by her side. Sam was watching the whole thing unfold, her eyes as wide as her mouth from astonishment.

“I’m not the enemy. I could help—I have helped. I’m staying, and gods or not, I don’t think the three of you can make me leave.”

A ripple of fear traveled up Maddie’s spine and cascaded over her head. He’d just moments before borne witness to what they had achieved, and that didn’t concern him? She was aware that surfers tended to smoke weed, but even that could not justify such a significant short-term memory loss.

“Enough of this charade!” Rollo’s body quickly began to change color and shape. He was growing taller and broader, massive, even. Huge muscles stretched his hairy red skin taut. His pushed-in face gave him an underbite, the better to reveal his large counter canines. “I am Kalandar!” he bellowed. “Breaker of dimensions, destroyer of worlds, third conqueror of Aradinia, and soul-eater of ghouls! The right-hand demon to the possessor, first of my kind to go forth into the wilds and return. I am the bringer of chaos into order, the slaughterer of Bazzaros, second kin to Denderia (she of the famed raid on the heavens), and fabled defender of the Red Witch. My exploits so legendary as to span multiple tomes. I have borne witness to the descent and will be there leading the ascent. My might so feared, my skill so dreaded, my knowledge so vast that entire prison realms have been erected to keep me trapped; all have failed. I am the chain breaker, a gargantuan among gods, the one so feared I was removed from Hades. All that stand before me quake in awe. My name alone strikes foreboding into the hearts of my enemies. There are none alive, now nor ever, who could stand before me. Those who would oppose me are impotent in their challenge! You would dare now to defy me?”

Thistle was the quickest to react, she pushed her hands toward him; an invisible energy field crashed along his side, shoving him toward the wall.

“I hope, for your sake, that isn’t the best you can offer, little girl.” His voice thundered as he squared to face her. “I would prefer this to be an epic battle as opposed to a crushing of leverets underfoot. A satisfying enough experience, but one hardly worth calling out about.”

“Maddie?” Sam was petrified, unable to think clearly enough to do anything other than ask what she should do.

“What are you?” Maddie was shuffling toward Sam, hoping to be able to shield the girl from whatever might come next.

“I think I have made that abundantly clear.” Kalandar took great strides toward her, flinging Maddie out of the way. She crashed against the wall, the wind knocked out of her sails and her lungs. She lay with her head against the cool floor, trying to breathe. “Hmm, you do have power.” The demon had picked Thistle up, his massive hand completely around her neck and upper chest. She struggled to be free from him, but it felt like iron chains had been bound around her. He laughed when he pulled her in close and sniffed her head. “You have let your mana drain dangerously low; that was not a wise decision on your part. It has always amazed me, the fragility of these little bodies you inhabit, and yet your kind have thwarted our efforts for so long. Strange. Do you prefer to be crushed or snapped in half?”

Sam came up