Lycan Fallout (Book 2): Fall of Man Read Free Page B

walk.”
    “What? I’m just cleaning my sword,” I said, turning my back to her.
    “Perhaps I will clean my rifle as well. I truly hope that I do not misfire.”
    “Not cool, Bailey.”
    She smiled as well, which was not a natural look for her. Looked something closer to a grimace but I wasn’t going to tell her that. It was an improvement over the stone-set expression she generally wore. In another time she could have been a world-class poker player.
    The third night of our respite had descended upon us. The meat was nearly gone, and we’d decided that Bailey’s feet looked good enough to travel. This time we were going to wrap them in some deer fur to prevent chafing. That was the theory anyway. I was looking up to the heavens wishing for a beer and a bag of potato chips when Bailey spoke.
    “I left my boots over by the pond. Could you get them for me, please?”
    “They’ll be alright there,” I said as I shifted, trying to get comfortable.
    “Someone has joined us, I would prefer to have my shoes on should battle be necessary.”
    I sat up fast. “Lycan? Where?”
    “My shoes, Michael.” Bailey had bent to her side to grab her rifle. She was pretending to clean off some debris, but she would be able to bring it to bear quickly.
    “Son of a bitch!” I yelled out. In my haste to get Bailey’s boots, I had left my own off and stubbed my toe on a good-sized rock.
    “As graceful as a swan.” Bailey never looked up from her weapon.
    “I think I broke my toe.” I grabbed Bailey’s boots and came back to the fire as quickly as I could. Oggie, his fur bristling, was now standing and looking up the side of the rock hill. Odds were good it was Lycan. Bailey was wincing as she put her shoes on. I stood next to Oggie, my sword in one hand, axe in the other.
    “Come out now!” I bellowed.
    “Your display of weaponry should convince them you wouldn’t immediately kill them.” Bailey stood.
    “They have less to fear from my sword than they do your rifle.”
    “This is true. I have seen you wield your sword.”
    “You’re on fire tonight, aren’t you?”
    Bailey looked down at her clothes as she took my words to be literal. “I indeed sat close to the fire for warmth, and I am warm but not on fire.”
    “Not from where I’m standing.”
    “Could you please make sense before we are to be confronted?”
    “I’ll give it a try.”
    “Has the Red Witch returned?”
    “I don’t think she would be so stealthy as to not show herself, or she would be so stealthy that we would never know she was here. No, this is something or someone different.”
    Oggie started barking, his lips pulled back savagely. He was altogether intimidating and terrifying.
    “Come to where we can see you or I will release my hound with instructions to bring you back in pieces if necessary.” Softly I spoke to Oggie, “I don’t really want you to go out there, it’s just a threat.”
    “Do you truly believe the beast can understand you?” Bailey asked.
    “Probably better than you,” I retorted.
    “What does that mean?” She turned on me.
    “Figure of speech, relax.” I thought I was going to have to defend my life for a second.
    “I’m coming! Please don’t kill me, I’m…I’m so hungry is all.” The voice was female or possibly a young male, it was difficult to tell.
    “How many of you are there?” Bailey asked.
    “Just…just me,” came the reply.
    “She’s lying, someone is behind us as well.”
    “Well, this got interesting fast.” I spun. I could just make out the terrain, and potentially a figure. I still had some serious night-blindness going on from the fire.
    “Come to where we can see you...quickly,” Bailey added with authority.
    “We...I just need some help.”
    “She’s as tactful as you,” Bailey whispered.
    “Did you really need to get personal right there?”
    “How many of you are there?” Bailey turned away from me.
    “Just my brother and me.” A figure arose and started