Almost Demon (The Sigil Cycle) by AJ Salem Read Free Book Online Page A

imagination.”
    “And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” I asked.
    “Yes, because you want to know that all your faculties are intact when I tell you the rest.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “Brilliant! Let’s begin.” He got up and closed the door. When he sat back down, I understood why.
    “That,” he pointed to the black splotch on the wall, “is one of the Dybbuk.”
    “Of course,” I singsonged.
    “Cheeky, aren’t you? Go ahead, go on and touch it.”
    “I don’t think so.” I scrunched my nose up in distaste.
    “Miss Pope, let me explain to you how this is going to work. We are forming a relationship wherein you and I,” he motioned his hand in a give and take gesture, “are working to a mutually beneficial goal.” His eyebrows did a little dance as he said those words.
    “And?”
    “And in order for you to understand what this goal is in the scope of things, you need to do as I say.”
    “That doesn’t sound like much of a partnership.”
    “It isn’t. I’m the one holding most of the cards.”
    “Well, I may not know much,” I replied, “but if my hand didn’t trump yours, you wouldn’t have me sitting here.” 
    “Touché.” He stood up and walked back towards the Dybbuk, placing his hand over what I could imagine as its head. “See,” he continued. “Nothing. And this is why: the Dybbuk is a collective, a group of lost souls denied entrance to the Otherworld. Unable to find peace, they roam the Earth in search of a living thing, of their choosing, to attach themselves to. Once they have taken possession of this human, animal, or plant, they begin to alter that being’s behavior to suit their needs.”
    “So why am I seeing them?” I asked.
    “Usually, a trip to the Otherworld can make you a bit screwy. Crossing the veil can open your eyes just a bit wider.”
    “My accident.” I rubbed the back of neck.
    “Correct. But there is something else, which I can’t figure out, and that’s where you come in.” He went over to his desk, unlocked the bottom drawer, and lifted out the  gray leather- bound tome I had glimpsed the day before. He set the book in front of me, keeping it closed with his hands clenched on either side of the worn cover. 
    “I need to know you’re with me.” His eyes pleaded with me and I couldn’t help but stare at his beautiful lips while I thought of what to say next. How could I say no?
    “I’m in.”
    Relief smoothed the worry lines from his forehead. He flipped the cover open and then began to pace.
    “For some reason, this town has become a hotbed for these spirits. There is an abnormal amount of activity up until about a ten-mile radius beyond the city limits.”
    “Lucky us.” I laughed, nervously.
    “Indeed.” He pointed to the title page. “And this is where we arrive at the Lemegaton .”
    “The what?”
    “The Lesser Keys of Solomon. It contains the seventy-two true names of the demons that are said to have been bound to the king in servitude. Upon his death they were freed but this book is a legacy of his knowledge. Now all we need is to summon one and ask them why the Dybbuk have decided to come for the people of Harrisport.”
    I ran my hand over the pristine white parchment. “That easy, huh?”
    The light extinguished from his face. “Unfortunately, things get a little complicated.” He turned to the next page. “Let’s not dwell on the negatives. Look here.” He pointed to the large flower-shaped image. “The image on the top is some sort of cipher to break codes.” 
    I pointed to the alphabet listed with its corresponding numerical value. “What’s on the other pages?”
    “The summoning names of these demons,” he said, tapping on the list at the bottom. “Their position in the hierarchy, and their special talents.”
    “Demons?”
    “And angels. There are two facets to sigil magic.” He cleared his throat. “A sigil is a symbolic representation of a demon or an angel. One can draw upon the