Epoch by Timothy Carter Read Free Book Online

see … anything,” Max said, but his eyes told a different story. He saw something, all right. He just didn’t know what to make of it. Vincent knew that Max, like his parents, believed in supernatural creatures. For a Triumvirite, it was something of a prerequisite. There were angels above and demons below; what would his mind end up deciding?
    “All I see is your sin,” Max said, blinking and shaking his head. Clearly, he’d chosen to see nothing.
    “Max ... ” Vincent began, while Nod and Clara sighed.
    “You are making up stories about demonic creatures,” Max went on, “and daring to suggest that the Triumvirate sent you on a quest. You really think I’d believe you?”
    “It was a long shot,” Vincent said.
    “We don’t have time for this guy,” Nod said, and he flew at Max at high speed.
    “Stop!” Vincent cried, lunging after him. His brother wasn’t his favorite person, but he didn’t want Max hurt.
    “Hey!” said Nod as Vincent grabbed hold of his tiny legs.
    “Woah!” said Vincent as the little man dragged him forward.
    “What are you doing?” Max asked, his face awash in puzzlement.
    “Let go of him!” Clara said. She flew above Vincent, then drove both her feet down into his back.
    “Oof!” Vincent said as the wind was clobbered from his lungs.
    “Woah!” cried Nod as Vincent’s hands suddenly released him, and he sped out of control into Max’s chest.
    “Yunnng!” cried Max as he and Nod flew backward into the altar behind him, knocking it over with a loud crash.
    “Nod!” Clara cried, leaping off of Vincent and flying after her companion.
    “Oww … ” Vincent moaned, lying in a crumpled heap. He hurt all over, and didn’t want to move ever again. He’d been through enough today, and he prayed it wouldn’t get any worse.
    “What is going on in here?” said Vincent’s father, throwing open the chapel door.
    “Oh no,” Vincent muttered.
    Things had just gotten worse.

“What on God’s green pastures?” Vincent’s father said, staring around the chapel. Light from the basement illuminated the scene of chaos before him, but all his attention was focused on the two tiny winged people.
    He sees them, Vincent realized.
    “Back, foul beasts of the Devil!” Mr. Drear roared, grabbing the cross around his neck and thrusting it as far as its chain would allow. “In the name of the Triumvirate, I command you … ”
    “Shut up,” Nod said, and he flew right up to Mr. Drear and biffed him on the chin.
    “Stop!” Vincent cried, leaping up and catching his father as he fell. He was out cold; Vincent laid him gently down on the floor of the chapel, then rounded on the flying figure.
    “Stop hitting my family!” he said, poking a finger into Nod’s chest.
    “Touch me again,” Nod said dangerously, “and you’ll lose that finger, buddy.”
    “Oh really?” Vincent said, and he drove his other fist into the tiny man’s entire body. Nod flew back and bounced off the wall, then spiraled down to the floor.
    “Nod!” Clara cried, then she flew at Vincent. “You’ll pay, human!”
    Vincent was ready for her. He spun out of Clara’s way, and when she stopped to turn back he bopped her hard on her tiny head.
    “Ow!” Clara said, then she grabbed Vincent’s hand and twisted. Vincent flipped through the air, then landed upside down on his unconscious brother.
    “I’ll fix you up,” Clara said, grabbing Vincent by the leg and lifting him into the air. “I hope you like the wall, because you’re going to be a part of it!”
    She swung Vincent around in an arc, but when she let go something grabbed him and set him down.
    “Nod!” Clara cried. “What are you doing?”
    “I kinda like this kid,” Nod said, landing in front of Vincent. “He’s tough, stands up for himself. Gotta respect that. Plus, he can see us.” Nod turned and looked up at Vincent. “People like you are in short supply, kid. Sorry about your family. No hard feelings?”
    Vincent had