The Peregrine Omnibus Volume One by Barry Reese Read Free Book Online Page B

become my weapon against the kinds of men who killed me!”
    “You used me… just like this demon is using Trench.”
    Warren shook his head. “I gave you a purpose. Do you know how many men would give anything to have a real purpose ? But you’re growing careless… and soft. Don’t wait for the visions to force you into action. You know what needs doing.”
    “I’m not a murderer.”
    “You’ve killed dozens of men, Max.”
    The Peregrine turned away from his father, confusion making his thoughts difficult. He honestly wasn’t sure how he should feel at this moment. “You brought me here for what? To tell me that Trench is dangerous? I know that.”
    “You need someone you can trust. With Leopold and your friends so far away, you’ll need an aide. Someone who knows your secrets… and to whom you can confide all your troubles.”
    “I don’t need a sidekick.”
    Warren Davies smiled sadly. “I knew you would say that… so I took the liberty of taking a few precautions.”
    Max whirled on his father, anger making his face splotchy and red. Despite the cold air all around him, he felt like he was burning up. “Damn you! I loved you. I’ve tried to honor you. And this is what you do to me? Treat me a damned puppet?! Go back to Hell!”
    The snow began to blow harder than ever, blotting out all visions of his father. Max felt himself falling backwards, tumbling head over foot… and he wondered again: was this real? Or just some awful nightmare?
    He hoped for the latter.

CHAPTER XII
    The Peregrine’s Nest
    Max sat up with a start, recognizing his surroundings at once. He was in the storm cellar of his home, which he always kept locked up tight. It contained his equipment and papers, everything that would link him to the Peregrine…
    “You startled me,” someone said from the shadows and it only took a second for Max to place the pleasing feminine voice.
    “Evelyn?” he asked, all too aware that his mask was still in place and that his pistol remained tightly clutched in one hand. He looked down at it as Evelyn, lovely in a black dress and coat, moved into view.
    She followed his gaze, shrugging. “You wouldn’t let it go,” she said by way of explanation. “And I learned a long time ago not to argue with an armed man.” Evelyn followed with a small laugh that was a bit too shrill. She was nervous… and so was Max.
    He rose from the cot upon which he lay, reaching up to remove his mask. There was no point in hiding the truth now… and Max felt certain that his father, if he truly existed, was responsible for this. “How did we end up here? The last thing I remember was being downtown.”
    “I was out with friends—a producer and his wife—when I thought I heard you calling my name. It was strange, really… we were all alone on the street and they said they heard nothing but…” Evelyn chewed her lower lip, her gaze locked on some faraway place. Max thought she looked beautiful. “I excused myself from them and went looking for you. A couple of blocks away, I found you. You were lying in an alleyway, bleeding from your shoulder.”
    Max glanced over at his wound, which had been patched up rather clumsily. He peeled away the bandage and saw that there was a small bloody furrow where the bullet had grazed him.
    Evelyn moved to stand beside him, still looking uncertain. “You told me to bring you here… even walked me through how to fix your arm. But you never woke up. It was like you were… sleepwalking.” Evelyn reached out and took the Peregrine mask from Max. “Is this what you do at night?”
    “You must have heard the rumors about me…”
    “Of course. But who would really believe them? How many men dress up like a bird and shoot people?” Evelyn gazed into his face, seeking some sign of the cultured, funny man she’d been so attracted to. “Why do you do this?”
    Max contemplated coming up with a lie… but in the end, he decided to tell her the truth. Perhaps his father had