Unmasked by Kate Douglas Read Free Book Online Page A

about harming an avatar. That’s the real thing.
    I think you’re right. She concentrated on Ukopach. Who are the other demons? Are they inside humans?
    The little guy clung even tighter. Yes. Everyone is stuck in a human. They know I’m here. They want to know if you’re going to save them.
    Addie’s mind spun. How could she get them to help? Tell your friends we’ll do our best. What does it take to get them out of the humans without hurting anyone?
    Gamers use a big cannon.
    Addie sighed. That wouldn’t work. That would kill the humans, Ukopach. Can’t do that.
    Does water kill humans? The cannon in Trials of Moloch shoots water.
    Jett coasted near. Remember, this is a little kids’ video game. There are different levels of weapons, a water cannon and one that shoots water balloons.
    We have to get rid of Yush, first. Any ideas? I doubt a water balloon’s going to do the trick with him. Addie glanced at the big red demon in the corner. He was huge and scary—a regular demon. No human host for that guy—he was the real thing, while everyone else in the crowded trailer was possessed.
    I want to see what Locan’s discovered. I’ll be right back. Stay hidden. Jett slipped out through the partially open door. Addie stayed in the shadows, and listened to the odd snippets of conversation. It appeared the video game demons were attempting to talk like people, but they weren’t carrying it off very well.
    There wasn’t anything remotely human about any of them at all. If it looks like a demon, acts like a demon, and talks like a demon . . . damn. It was hard to remember they were victims every bit as much as their human avatars.
    A shiver raced along her spine. Addie glanced up. The red-skinned Yush stared directly at her. His eyes glowed red and his skin was the color of blood. He clenched and unclenched those odd, six-fingered hands, and Addie’s sense of dread grew stronger. She glanced about. Every demon in the room was looking at her.
    She should have been invisible. Obviously she wasn’t—at least not to demon eyes. Ukopach squeaked and pressed his misty form even closer against Addie’s shadowy body.
    Yush shouted something in a language Addie’d never heard. The other demons in the room moved to one side or the other, clearing a direct path between Addie and the red demon. She carefully peeled Ukopach off her side and set him on the counter beside her, hopefully out of danger. Shedding her cloaked appearance, Addie drew her swords and stepped out of the shadows, ready for battle.
    She’d worn knee-high leather boots and tight black jeans. Her black sweater hugged her body like a second skin that would give an attacker less to grab. Drawing her short sword with her right hand, clasping a longer one in her left, she waited, hoping like mad that Locan and Jett would arrive.
    What the hell was keeping them? Had they run into trouble with Moloch? Yush shouted what sounded like a command. No one moved. Ukopach? What’s he saying?
    He’s commanding them to attack.
    Her gaze leapt from one silent figure to the next. The demons watched her, but they’d not taken a step. They’re not attacking. Any idea what’s going on?
    We don’t like Yush. They saw me come in with you and figure you’re on our side.
    What? I was cloaked! How could they see me? She glanced about wildly. Obviously anyone could see her now, but how, when she was shadow?
    Does it matter? If I trust you, they will, too. But be careful—Yush is a powerful demon. He eats humans.
    She’d been trying not to think about that. Addie glanced at Ukopach. He was safely out of the way, but there was no sign of her guys. Yush raised his head, tilting it to one side as if he listened for something. Addie couldn’t hear a thing above the pounding of her heart and the rush of air in and out of her lungs. She really hadn’t expected to fight this thing on her own.
    Where the hell were Jett and Locan?
    An ear-splitting roar rent the air. Addie planted