Untouchable Darkness by Rachel van Dyken Read Free Book Online Page A

keep them as pets…”
    “Still talking a big game for being one of them.” Alex grinned. “And sister.” He peered up at me with loving eyes. “I think the best thing for you right now would be to get Cassius caught up on pop culture.”
    Cassius groaned. “I’m not stupid. I know about the Backstreet Boys.”
    Alex burst out laughing. “Oh this may be my favorite moment—of my entire existence. Right up there with the time I watched Ethan take his first bite of pizza thinking the sauce was blood.”
    A giant scowl formed on Ethan’s face, and he gripped the edge of the table where he was seated. “Well, if you hadn’t lied about it…”
    “Best. Day. Ever.” Alex winked.
    Genesis finished setting the table by folding white napkins beneath the forks; it was cute that she did it, even though the only people who ate were her and sometimes Mason.
    At least now Cassius could join the ranks.
    “Sorry, Cassius.” Mason tossed a plate at Genesis, she caught it midair and placed it at the head of the table. “Backstreet Boys aren’t really the in thing anymore.”
    “Fine.” Cassius rolled his eyes. “I’ll just go to the store and grab a few CD’s and why is everyone looking at me like I’ve lost my mind?”
    Ethan shook his head. “You’ve been that busy? Unable to even turn on a TV? Do an Internet search? You have more money than the very country you live in, and you can’t afford cable?”
    Cassius walked away from me and sat at the head of the table. Funny that he’d take his usual seat. I guessed he was still our King even if he was a bit under the weather. “When would I have time? With the Vampires fighting, the Werewolves hiding, the Demons whining…”
    “I’d like to know who’s doing your job while you’re…” Mason tilted his head, and his lips pulled into a sneer. “Indisposed.”
    Cassius flashed his teeth.
    I’m not sure what he was trying to accomplish considering the minute he poked the bear—or in this case Werewolf—Mason flashed his fangs. Then Ethan felt the need to flash his, followed by my brother nearly glowing. Was it wrong that their reactions at least made things feel more normal?
    I sat down and crossed my arms. “Let’s all just agree that Cassius needs this much-needed break to train me and learn the wonder that is the internet… and iTunes.”
    “Yes he needs this much-needed break because he needs to fulfill his basic human needs.” Alex said in a smug tone.
    “I know what iTunes is.” Cassius glowered in my direction, immediately changing the subject.
    I tilted my head. “Oh, yeah?”
    “Songs.”
    “You’ll have to do better than that.”
    “Songs that people…” He gulped. “Sing.”
    Alex burst out laughing.
    Cassius rolled his eyes and glanced out the window. The bird, the same damn bird appeared.
    “Food!” He jumped out of his seat.
    I quickly got to my feet and pushed him back down. “Sit.”
    “But—”
    “Uh…?” Alex raised his hand. “Why is Cassius bird watching?”
    “He’s watching because he wants to eat it,” I explained.
    Mason placed a salad in front of Cassius.
    You’d think he’d just asked Cassius to tend to the garden and eat raw tomatoes. “What’s this?”
    “Salad.” I scooted the dressing toward him.
    “It’s green.”
    “Hey, at least you’ve got your eyesight,” Ethan remarked.
    “But the bird?” Cassius pointed behind him, “Why aren’t we eating meat?”
    Mason looked heavenward. “I must have done something seriously awful to be cursed with a Dark One who suddenly wants food. He’ll eat everything!”
    “He’s starving!” I pointed at Cassius. “Come on, fix him something good Mason. Salads are for girls.”
    Genesis laughed and reached across the table to grab Cassius’s plate, but he was busy poking the tomato with a fork or trying to.
    “It’s like watching a baby learn how to walk. Come on Cassius, you can do it!” Alex clapped behind him.
    And earned a fork in the