God Hammer: A novel of the Demon Accords Read Free Page A

just put this kid’s name in and the whole thing froze up,” Andrew said. “Says he’s here to see Miss Demidova and Mr. Gordon.”
     
    The other guard, Joe, looked me over, clearly not buying it.  “The guard in the garage booth found my name okay or I don’t think he would have let me park my car down there,” I offered, still getting an odd vibe from the computer.
     
    “I’ll call down to the garage and see what Morgan has to say,” Joe said, picking up a phone.  “Why don’t you have a seat near the interns while we sort this out?”
     
    The seating he was pointing me at was fairly close to the group of kids who were also, apparently, interning here this summer.  Chris hadn’t told me about other interns, although he had said the dress code was flexible depending on the situation and not to worry about it.   Of course, Aunt Ashling had decided that meant I needed to worry about it and hence my new, uncomfortable, off-the-rack suit.
     
    Ignore them. Show them no emotion, Sorrow offered, which was a big improvement, as a short time ago it would have suggested much more violent ideas.
     
    If they continue to disrespect you, crush their throats and let them suffocate where they stand.   And there we go—backsliding again.
     
    I sat as far from my fellow interns as possible and watched the rest of the room, taking the time to examine the feelings I had gotten about the Demidova computer system. Or maybe from the system.
     
    The guard was still trying to get it to unfreeze, growing more frustrated by the second.  I extended my senses in that direction, not expecting much at this distance.  Instead, I was shocked at the feeling of power I got—massive power.  Then it moved.  One second, it was like a dark cloud around the terminal, the next it was across the room, centered around the eight or nine open laptops and tablets the interns had out, spreading to their cell phones as well.  It was almost palpable to my other sense, which was either operating on a much higher level then it ever had before or the cloud was just that noticeable.
     
    “You an intern too?” a voice asked from the row of seats behind mine.  I turned to find a sharp-eyed older kid of mixed heritage looking at me curiously.  He wore jeans and a black tee that said May the Mass times Acceleration be with you with a Star Wars-themed logo around it.
     
    “I guess I am,” I said, instantly regretting my words.
     
    “You guess?  You don’t know?” he asked, incredulous and slightly amused, like I had just handed him a gift.
     
    “Well, I should have phrased that differently.  I know I’m an intern, I’m just not sure I’m in the same program you are,” I said.
     
    “You’re not a comp sci student then?” he asked, his amusement replaced by curiosity.  More than a few of the other kids were listening to our conversation.  Some of them seemed normally curious. Some seemed like they were waiting for a punchline.
     
    “Yeah, but I don’t think that’s why I’m here.”
     
    “Not that good a programmer?” he asked, expression innocent, eyes predatory.
     
    I studied him for a second, recognizing the type.  The smart kid who uses his brains, academic achievements, and IQ score the way a bully used their muscles.
     
    “What are you… a senior?  MIT?  RPI?  CalTech?” I asked back.
     
    “Graduate student at MIT.  Good guess.  Let me try—you’re a… sophomore?  At community tech?” he asked back, getting a laugh from a couple of the guys who were watching.  His glance back at them was directed more at the three girls sitting on one couch than the dudes, though.  And probably mostly at the pretty brunette in the middle.  Ah, trying to impress the ladies.
     
    So predictable,   Sorrow said.
     
    I found myself agreeing with the evil sentient book that lived inside me.
     
    “Wow.  Look at you.  So proud.  Mommy and Daddy’s little guy all grown up in the big city,” I shot