Vesik 3 Winter's Demon by Eric Asher Read Free Book Online

out and hug her, but that would get me nothing but cold and wet. I rubbed my hand over my face. “So, when you coming back?”
    “You miss me?”
    “No, not at all.”
    “You’re a terrible liar, Damian.”
    I flashed her a smile of my own. “You look all clothed and stuff. Seems awkward.”
    She looked around. “It’s daylight.”
    “And?” I asked.
    “You’ll be embarrassed long before me,” she said as her watery hand slipped into one of my jean pockets.
    I yelped and hopped backwards as she started laughing. Now it was me who looked around, mortified my friends and family might walk up behind us. “Okay, okay. You’re right, dammit.”
    She giggled and pulled back, briefly allowing the waters to solidify, giving me a peek at a translucent, completely nude Nixie.
    “You are so evil.”
    “You love it.”
    I groaned as she let her sending sink back into the water.
    “Mike told me some of what’s happening there,” she said. “Do you need me to come?”
    I shook my head, but not without hesitation. “How’s the Queen?”
    Her smile faded. “Talks are breaking down. I don’t think she’s willing to accept the change that’s coming. She’s not willing to step down either.”
    I frowned and crossed my arms. “She can’t force you all to kill. It’s wrong. What happens when neither side can agree?”
    “War, though I fear to say it. War is what will happen. And all war is …”
    “Is more killing,” I said.
    She nodded and looked behind me. “A friend is coming.”
    “Alright, stay safe. You know if you need help the fairies will be there in a flash.”
    “And you?”
    I grinned. “Maybe, guess you’ll just have to see.”
    “You need their help more than I right now,” she said as her image rippled in the wake of a small bass boat.
    “Damian,” said a voice from behind me and a little to the left. I had a good idea what angle I’d need to point my pepperbox to bring any conflict to an abrupt end, but I recognized the voice and let my arms unfold.
    I glanced behind me and found Ashley. “Damn, are you following Frank’s exercise regimen? You look great!” She usually came into the shop with her cloak on, but today she wore a tight-fitting green leather vest and dark brown leather slacks. Her compact frame was slim, but even with the weight loss she bore an impressive chest. A series of pouches hung from a white rope belt at her waist along with a wicked-looking nine tails capped with intricately etched silver gray blades of Magrasnetto crowned each flail. Ashley sniffed and rubbed her slightly upturned nose before running a hand through her blonde hair to push it back over her right ear. It showed off dark leather vambraces that matched the greaves on her legs, all bearing a tree of life. She flashed a short smile. It didn’t reach her blazing green eyes.
    “Thank you. I was followed.”
    I glanced at Nixie. “You didn’t mention that part.”
    “Call the others,” she said. “They must be masked. I still don’t sense them.”
    “Necromancers,” I said with a grumble. Nixie snickered at the negative use of my own title as I nodded and reached for the phone in my pocket. I casually texted Sam and Frank to fill them in. “We’re coming,” came back almost immediately.
    “Gotta run Nix,” I said as I blew her a two-fingered kiss.
    “We’ll meet again soon.” She smiled and her image vanished.
    I heard the van’s doors first as I pocketed the Wasser-Münzen. One, two, and then the hiss of a hydraulic door. I glanced up and my eyes widened. One of those carpool vans was unloading less than a quarter mile away, and I was pretty damn sure every single thing getting off was a zombie. The last man off was human, and obviously a necromancer, dressed in a passé solid black cloak and hood.
    It was his turn to stare in shock as Bubbles trotted down Adams Street and crossed a parking lot, carrying my staff in her jaws. I started to laugh until I saw the tourists. They were