Crimson Christmas Read Free Page A

.
    “Like I said, I already called someone,” Hon said.
“He’ll be here when the plane lands tomorrow and if he finds anything, we’ll
let you know.”
    “You do that. If she feels sick at all, bring her
back in immediately. If she has any weird marks, if she feels numb anywhere, if
she starts talking in Latin, anything odd at all, bring her in.”
     
    *          *          *
     
    When Dylan got home, Mordon was the only one there.
“The boys are spending the night at Stacy’s, Divina said her work was taking
longer than she had expected, and Edward is busy with something on Duran.”
    “I thought we were going to have a family night,”
Dylan said, a little disappointed. He tried to keep in mind that they two more
days left until Christmas. “Why are the boys spending the night over there? I
thought Stacy would want some time off what with the mountain in her belly.”
    “I think the boys are getting their gang together
tomorrow to solve a mystery. Something’s been extra-odd around here.”
    “Such as?”
    “Mostly thefts. A lot of toys have gone missing.
Taylor thinks some weirdo can’t afford presents for his children and has been
stealing toys, but I couldn’t find a scent. Xul is watching the boys from a
distance to make sure they don’t get into trouble. Get some sleep.”
    “I think that’s a good idea. I have the early shift
tomorrow.” He did soon find himself enjoying a few quiet hours of reading
without the boys yelling about something or his wife… Well, he probably would
have been having more fun if she was there.
     
    *          *          *
     
    The fact that Dylan was on a flat rock in the middle
of the ocean on a bright day with no visible sun told him he was in the
presence of one of his wife’s brothers. None of his real dreams were so
farfetched. “I’m not giving you my son,” he told the unseen god. This was the
preferred visual of Azenoth; Divina’s most temperamental brother.
    After Azenoth’s third Guardian betrayed him, the god
requested for Samhail to be his next Guardian. Although Hail was born to be the
Guardian of Lore, Vretial wanted Hail as his Guardian instead. Dylan didn’t
want Hail to be the Guardian for Avoli or Vretial, but he would let Hail choose
his own path when the time came to it. Dylan refused to let his son even
consider being Azenoth’s Guardian.
    “ I know that. You already told me ,” Azenoth
said. His words were more in Dylan’s head than out loud.
    That was one of the reasons for Dylan’s refusal.
Azenoth wasn’t the greediest of Divina’s brothers, but he was the one Dylan
trusted the least. He distrusted the god’s motives in particular. Whereas
Vretial would fight, manipulate, and bribe for Hail, Azenoth didn’t really care
who his Guardian was. Avoli relied on Dylan’s wariness of Vretial, which was
actually a good strategy.
    “ I decided to find an appropriate replacement for
Rasik instead of making one, but I need someone to train him. I want Kiro to do
it .”
    “And why are you telling me this instead of asking
his god?”
    “He listens to you over Erono . ”
    The god had a good point. “I’ll ask him if he’s
willing the next time I see him.”
    “Good. You should know that some dark force is
coming your way.”
    “When isn’t there?” It didn’t escape his notice that
Azenoth was showing appreciation for his help by giving him a warning. This was
quite a change from the god he knew. “What kind of dark force?”
     
    *          *          *
     
    “Don’t touch your presents!”
    The six-year-old boy moped. His mother was in the
kitchen, but she kept watch over the breakfast bar. Lesley didn’t know why he
had to wait to play with his presents. He played with his Legos in front of the
tree. The Christmas music was too quiet, so he turned the knob on the radio.
    The phone rang and his mother yelled at him to turn
the radio down. He didn’t, so she stepped