Chasing Evil by Adam Blade Read Free Book Online Page A

massive face. “For myself, I prefer a Beast that can actually fight .” As he spoke the last word, Nera sent out a claw toward Tanner where he was sprawled on the ground, placing its point against his chest. He didn’t dare move. Firepos cried out with an angry caw, and Nera slid her claws back into the pads of her feet and pulled her paw away from Tanner.
    Don’t be fooled. Nera is a friend. Tanner heard Firepos’s message rumble through him. So why is his Chosen Rider acting like an enemy? he thought.
    Gwen ran toward Tanner as he got to his feet. “Are you all right?” she asked.
    Before Tanner could respond, Castor threw back his head and laughed. “This isn’t over. Get on your Beast, and let’s see who deserves to win!”
    â€œWhatever you want,” Tanner shouted back. “I’m ready!”
    Stop now, Firepos pleaded with him. End this. Tanner wouldn’t listen, pushed Firepos’s message out of his head.
    Gwen grabbed his arm. “Stop it! This is stupid — you don’t have to fight! And have you forgotten — we have more important things to do.”
    Castor laughed again on Nera’s back as she leaped from spot to spot, covering the entire length of the square, then back again. Tanner had never seen a Beast move so fast, her golden coat shining.
    Tanner struggled to contain his anger. As Castor’s Beast paused, he stepped up.
    The other boy raised his sword. “Well, Tanner, get on your bird, so I can fight you properly. Beast against Beast! Or are you too much of a coward?”
    Tanner’s anger flared again, and he found himself climbing onto Firepos, disturbing her feathers as he scrambled. Let’s end this now! Tanner silently told his Beast.
    â€œWhat about the mask?” Gwen cried. “What about defeating Derthsin?”
    â€œI need to wipe the grin from Castor’s face first,” Tanner insisted, refusing to look at her. He drew his sword.
    â€œYou’re a fool,” Castor yelled. “This is going to be fun!”
    The crowd was watching again from the nearby buildings, and when Nera bounded up to Firepos, the villagers scrambled onto the broken rooftops and nearby trees to get a better look.
    â€œLet’s show him, Firepos,” Tanner said. “Fly!”
    Firepos shrieked and took off, surging high above the square. As Tanner and Firepos rose, Nera circled the ground below them, raking the air with extended talons. It almost looked as though the huge cat was smiling. Tanner realized that Castor’s Beast was thinking the same as Firepos: that this was a silly skirmish they needed to get out of the way. For a moment, he felt foolish — then he spotted Castor’s mocking grin, and red spots of anger danced before Tanner’s eyes. Nera sent out a teasing paw toward Firepos’s tail feathers, and Tanner’s Beast jerked awkwardly to one side. That was all the excuse Tanner needed….
    I twist in the air. Nera fights well, but so do I. We understand each other — this is not so much a fight as a game. We shall not harm each other, but these boys have so much anger running through them. They need to work it off. But I must control myself. I trust Nera to do the same. My Chosen Rider whispers into my ear, “We will win. Help me, Firepos.”
    I don’t want to break Nera, and I won’t. But Tanner’s anger must run its course.
    â€œThis is your last chance!” Castor yelled. “Come down and give up, or they’ll be picking your pieces off the square in the morning!”
    Tanner glanced beneath him. “You’re all talk, Castor!” he called down.
    Castor laughed and raised his sword. “You coward. Taking to the air, far out of reach. What kind of a fighter does that make you?”
    Tanner dug his knees into Firepos’s sides and directed her down. His Beast landed in the dust. Tanner and Castor locked eyes.
    Castor leaned on