Monster Madness by Dean Lorey Read Free Book Online Page A

okay,” Theodore replied. “Neither have we.”
    William stepped up to the front of the dais and coolly surveyed the assembled Banishers and Nethermancers in front of him.
    “If all four Named escape to Earth, there is only one way to prevent them from using their artifacts together to summon the Fifth.”
    He gazed at them stonily.
    “One of the Named must die.”
    The room was as still and quiet as a tomb. Even Charlie wasn’t quite sure he’d heard right.
    “How is that even possible?” someone finally shouted.
    “We don’t stand a chance against a Named!” another said.
    And then the floodgates opened. All the Banishers and Nethermancers began talking rapidly, loudly debating what most of them seemed to consider a clearly suicidal plan.
    As they argued, a long, loud whistle pierced the clamor, and one by one the voices grew silent. To Charlie’s astonishment, he realized that the whistle had come from Rex.
    “I know what y’all are thinkin’,” the cowboy said, standing. “Killing a Named is like staring down the barrel of a gun and hopin’ to catch the bullet with your teeth. It’s a tall gulp of water—no question about it—but we gotta drink it eventually, and I don’t see our chances getting any better by puttin’ it off. Heck, thanks to Charlie Benjamin here”—he tilted his hat in Charlie’s direction, and Charlie flushed with embarrassment—“Barakkas and Verminion were wounded pretty bad a while back.”
    Charlie’s mind flashed to the last time he’d seen the two Named. As a result of his trickery, the giant beasts fought furiously with each other in their lair underneath Krakatoa. They tore each other apart so completely that Charlie wasn’t even sure they could have survived.
    “Who knows?” Rex continued. “Maybe one of those bad boys is already dead and our job’s done for us. Point is, we gotta make sure, and we gotta do it now while we still got the upper hand.” He turned to William. “You know I can’t stand you, Big Bill—but on this one, I’m with you.”
    “Thank you, Banisher Henderson,” the General replied. “Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for combat.”

    Just over an hour later, forty Banishers and Nethermancers were assembled on the barren plains of the 1st Ring of the Nether. Never before had there been such a collection of skill and ability focused on a single purpose. As William walked among them, surveying their preparations, he noticed Charlie, Violet, and Theodore.
    “What are the children doing here? This is no place for them.”
    “I asked Charlie to join us,” Rex said, walking up. “He’s portaled to the lair of the Named more than anyone else here, which means he’s got the best chance of portaling us back there cleanly.”
    “Fine. But that doesn’t explain why the other two are here,” He nodded to Theodore and Violet. “The boy and the girl.”
    The boy, Charlie thought wryly. Don’t you mean “my son”?
    “Someone’s got to protect Charlie!” Theodore exclaimed. “And that someone is me! If Charlie goes, so do I—that’s TNN, Totally non-negotiable!”
    “Really?” William allowed a hint of a smile to escape. “But you’re just a Nethermancer. Wouldn’t he be better off under the protection of a Banisher?”
    “That’s why I’m here,” Violet said, stepping forward. “Theodore and I will keep Charlie safe while the rest of you fight.”
    “I see. The Three Musketeers, is it?”
    Charlie, Violet, and Theodore nodded.
    “So be it.” William turned to Rex. “You’ve had some experience with Barakkas and Verminion before. What do you expect we’ll find when Charlie opens the portal?”
    “Well, I can’t tell you which Named is gonna be closest, but if we’re facing off against Verminion, I’d say go for the neck—you’ll never get through his shell. If we’re looking at Barakkas, aim for the heart and, for the love of God, watch those horns of his unless you feel like bein’ a shish kebab.”
    There was