The Diablo Horror (The River Book 7) Read Free Page A

said, strolling in like
he was bored. “Didn’t want you lying in a coma on the floor needing help
because you’d stuck yourself with a crazy contraption or something.”
    “I’m fine,” Steven said, letting the list drop to his side
and taking a moment to rub his eyes.
    “You look tired,” Roy said. “By the way, I found two more
books that look promising. We can see about returning them once you’re done
with your demon.”
    “What time is it?”
    “Just after eight. I was falling asleep in the library,
probably from getting no sleep last night.”
    “Do you want to rest until we leave?” Steven asked. “I’m nearly
done, maybe another hour or so, then we can go.”
    “No, I’m up now, I’ll stay up,” Roy said, looking down into
the boxes that held the objects Steven had removed from the shelves. “I want to
make sure you survive this room. Lots of deadly stuff in here. It looks like we
won’t have too much to carry out, if this is most of it.”
    “Unless I come across something big,” Steven said, continuing
with his search.
    Roy turned and walked out of the room, leaving Steven to his
business. He went back into the library, but he didn’t want to sit down and
fall asleep again.
    Instead, he walked to the back doors and down the wide steps
into the yard. In the distance was the banyan tree that had first captured his
imagination when they’d found Eximere. He thought he’d visit with Thomas for a
while. He grabbed the handle of a five gallon bucket of dirt that was sitting
at the bottom of the steps and walked toward the tree.
    The branches of the tree were wide and covered dozens of
graves that Unser used to trap gifteds he killed. Roy sat next to Thomas’ grave
and slowly spread several handfuls of dirt from the bucket onto the spongy
surface. He watched as the material gradually cleared. It was dark outside, but
lights from the house and yard were enough for him to see the faint outline of
Thomas, suspended six feet down in the grave.
    He found it easier to communicate with Thomas when he was
trancing, so he dropped into the River. He’d communicated with Thomas many
times since he’d found him; talking with his great-great grandfather was comforting.
    You’re troubled tonight, Thomas said. Something bad has happened.
    Two policemen, Roy thought. Killed because of a mistake I made.
    Yes, that is bad.
    Roy waited for Thomas to say “it wasn’t your fault,” as
Steven had said so many times, but Thomas didn’t.
    You’re in deep, Thomas said. Almost deeper than me in the ground here.
    Yes, Roy replied, it feels that way.
    It bothers you that you don’t have control of it.
    Yes, I don’t like it. This demon has Steven by the balls and
it’s pissing me off. He can’t talk to me about it, and there’s nothing I can do
about it. So I’m frustrated that I can’t do more to help. And a little angry
that I’m frustrated.
    You must change the balance. Gain some kind of leverage.
    I don’t see how, Roy thought. Everything with this demon seems very
one-sided.
    Something will come along. When it does, don’t hesitate.
    If we’re lucky, he’ll complete this deal with the demon and
it’ll be over, Roy
thought.
    It won’t be over. Once the demon knows he can get something
from you, he’ll keep coming back. It’ll never be over. You’ll have to do
something to put the demon off permanently, or you’ll both wind up doing its
bidding for the rest of your lives.
    Roy pondered this. It made sense to him. Thomas’ advice was usually
sound. There was no reason not to believe him this time.
    When it seems like you have no options left, Thomas said, and the others
around you have given up, that’s when you need to act. They will think it’s
over, but it’s not. Remember that.
    Alright, Roy answered. I’ll remember.
    And you may have to let your son go his own way, if it comes
to it.
    You mean part ways with him? Roy asked. I can’t do that.
    No, I mean defer to his judgment. You’ll