Daniel Taylor Between Two Worlds Read Free Page A

provided a wealth of information: for example, the fact that Kitana had had a child with a human, a certain James Carpenter, who knew where the scepter was located. Unfortunately, Marla hadn’t been present when Kitana and Carpenter had hidden the scepter; otherwise, Xandros would have long since known where he could find the artifact he needed so badly. The lower demons, who supplied the lords with the souls that nourished them, were increasingly prone to rebellion.
    In the end, Marla had managed to find Silvan. Xandros owed her some kind of favor for that.
    He smiled inwardly. He would have been foolish to kill the little creature; her mother had wrapped her in a protective charm. Anyone who tried to kill Marla would themselves die. For this reason, Xandros had ensured that the girl’s powers would not be allowed to fully develop. She was harmless — and perhaps still useful.
    Now he devoted his full attention to Silvan. As a watcher, Carpenter would not wish any harm to come to his son. Silvan could be taught to penetrate his father’s mind. Then he, Xandros, would finally know where to find the scepter.
    “My son,” Xandros said cajolingly, “I know that you will not disappoint me. You’ll think of a way to change Silvan’s mind.”
    Antheus smiled slyly. “I’ve set Sirina on him, lord. It’s only a matter of time before he returns to you.”
    “Hurry, my son. I’m getting old, and my reign is nearing its end.” Xandros smirked to himself as he looked into Antheus’ sparkling eyes. He would make good use of his son, and the idiot would never realize it. How shocked they would all be when Xandros’ reign lasted for another thousand years!
    Yet another thought had been troubling him for some time, namely the real reason he had thus far spared Silvan’s life. Silvan was a hybrid, a mix of watcher and demon. If Silvan came to power — under his direction, naturally! — with the help of the scepter, he might have the ability to rule over not only the underworld, but also the world of men. It could be as it was before, when the mighty Pharaohs — under the guidance of the demons — had subjugated the masses, guaranteeing a stable source of souls. Xandros pictured himself living in a magnificent palace built for him by human slaves. Silvan’s abilities might prove to be far more useful than I first thought …

A FEW WEEKS LATER …
    Vacation, at last! Daniel thought when the rays of sunlight streaming through his bedroom window woke him. They only had Thursday and Friday off for Thanksgiving, but it was better than nothing.
    Daniel stretched out his tired limbs and buried his head in his pillow. No hurry, you can sleep in , he told himself as the events of the last few weeks played themselves over in his head. Daniel still couldn’t quite get a grip on the idea that he was supposedly a half demon. He had tried to practice his demonic powers; unfortunately, he hadn’t had much success. There had been far too many distractions. His classes required all his attention, since he had no desire to repeat another year. However, his attitude toward school had changed a little — he didn’t hate it quite so much. Kuwalski still had it in for him, but a number of his classmates had rallied around him. They admired his courage for entering Edna’s haunted house on Halloween.
    Daniel was happier than he had been for a long time. He had Vanessa, and the demons had been leaving him alone. Only Marla dropped in once in a while to pay him a “sisterly” visit, as she put it.
    Yawning, he looked over at his alarm clock. So late already? Suddenly, he was wide awake, and he tossed his blankets aside. He had a date with Vanessa — or rather, she was supposed to be tutoring him in history this morning. He had almost forgotten!
    Daniel walked across his room and pulled up the blinds covering the window over his desk, allowing sunlight to flood the room unrestrained. Eyes squinting, he felt around for his sunglasses; he