Demonicus (Overworld Underground Book 2) by John Corwin Read Free Book Online Page B

together. "I might just sit back and let him do that while I watch."
    It took all my willpower not to shoot him in the head.
    "Who else is back?"
    "All of us, Grimmy." Barboar licked blood from his fingers and groaned with pleasure. "I'd like to possess a vampire again. They're so carnal." He groaned and shivered. "Xasha, Vatna, and Eyja will be so happy and surprised to know I've found you."
    A gust of wind blew past as the sliding glass door opened. George Walker stepped inside. "I got your message, Miss Glass." He looked at the wounded man. "Is this the demon?"
    "An Exorcist?" Barboar climbed to his feet rather nimbly for a man with a gunshot wound to his lower thigh.
    "I'm a Custodian." George aimed a wrist-mounted lancer at the demon. "But I'll be happy to get you to the proper authorities."
    "Sorry, not interested." Barboar burst into insane laughter and reached into his pants. Grinning lewdly, he fondled his privates then withdrew his hand.
    I saw something green and round in his hand. In an instant, I knew what it was. A grenade! His finger reached for the pin. Without thinking I pulled the trigger on the gun. A shot rang out and blood splashed from the other side of his head. Barboar's host thudded to the ground. The grenade rolled from his limp grasp and bumped against George's shoe. Sullen yellow mist filtered from the dead man's eyes and vanished into the floor.
    Tyler stared at the unarmed grenade, fury burning in his eyes. "He came here just to kill me for the fun of it."
    George turned his gaze to me. "Quick thinking, Miss Glass, though I'd already hit him with a lancer dart."
    I looked at a silver dart protruding from the dead man's chest. With trembling hands, I placed the gun on the counter. "It was a reflex. I couldn't let him kill us."
    Tyler wrapped me in his warm embrace. "It's okay, baby. I'm proud of you."
    I felt no shame pressing my face to his chest and wishing the dreadful scene to go away.
    George intruded on my fantasy. "Unfortunately, without a proper exorcism, the demon will be able to return in a matter of weeks, perhaps days."
    "Getting rid of him wouldn't solve my problem," Tyler said. "All four of my former acquaintances are back." He looked at the corpse. "Well, three of them are still here."
    "Judging from what he said earlier, I don't think they know he located you." I sucked in a breath and pulled away from him. "We need to track down each and every one of them."
    "I can deliver them to the Exorcists," George said. "That should remove them from Eden for quite some time."
    "But not permanently." Tyler slammed a fist on the counter. "There's only one way to get rid of them for good."
    "Devouring their souls?" I said.
    He waggled his hand in a so-so motion. "I don't know for sure if that works." Tyler made a face. "The other way is just as impossible. I'd have to find someone who knows a ritual of Abyssal banishment."
    "I'm certain one of our Arcanes could do that," George said. "But wouldn't you need the demon's true name?"
    Tyler ran a hand through his hair. "Banishment is one thing, but I want them sent into the Abyss. That's the only way to guarantee they'll never escape."
    "Unfortunately, demons are not my specialty." George picked up the grenade and examined it. "I certainly hope your other acquaintances don't attack you with explosives."
    "Something happened when I touched Barboar."
    Tyler and George flicked their eyes my way.
    "I saw a pattern and heard a name." Though I couldn't remember the pattern, I did remember the name and the precise pronunciation. "Barboarklistlsvang."
    Tyler's mouth dropped open. "You sensed his true name?"
    "I believe so." I tilted my head slightly. "If you ask me how, I won't be able to answer. I've never sensed any such thing from you."
    George's eyebrows rose. "Impressive, Miss Glass. Your talent goes deeper than I could have imagined." He held up a finger. "We must use utmost caution, however. If people were to discover your unique abilities, you could