Wystan by Allison Merritt Read Free Book Online Page A

but if any of them gets eaten, it’s on you.” Wystan hated giving in. There was a good chance he could avoid Rhia by hiding away in his office. The positions of mayor and sheriff didn’t have much to do with teaching.
    â€œThere’s one other thing you should know.” Worry lines creased Eban’s forehead.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œI don’t think Miss Brookshier is entirely human.”
    â€œWhat is she?” Wystan asked.
    A sheen of sweat stood out on Eban’s face. “She looks human, has all the correct parts, but she gives off an aura. I think you should meet her, and Tell too, if he comes back soon. He’d know better than any of us what she might be.”
    â€œWhen the hell did you plan to mention it?” This was why he didn’t want strangers in town. “Dammit, Eban. ‘Let’s take in strangers of questionable origin and put them up. Please, come right in. Start a school, make friends with our hellspawn neighbors, infect their young with whatever diseases you’re carrying’—which, for all we know, are parasite imps. We could be infected right now and neither of us would know it!”
    Eban cleared his throat and nodded behind Wystan. “Miss Brookshier doesn’t have parasite imps. I checked, but you might lower your voice. The Dukes are coming.”
    Wystan looked over his shoulder. Dirty smudges stained the girls’ faces and clothes. For all appearances, they were normal humans returning from a morning of hard labor.
    â€œDid you by chance check them?”
    â€œWhat was I supposed to say? ‘Let me check behind your ears for nodules, seemingly healthy human woman’?” All pretenses of a well-educated, charming young doctor faded from Eban’s manner. He mimicked Wystan’s tone. “‘You might have parasite imps, and if that’s the case, I’ll have to behead you. Hold still, it will only hurt for a second.’ Jesus, Wys.”
    â€œYou’re not a veterinarian taking in sick puppies. There’s nothing adorable about parasite imp–infected humans. These are lives we’re talking about. Zaïre and Mila, the Yues, Heng, Lois, Tell.” He grimaced. “Even Meacham.”
    â€œI know.” Eban’s jaw tightened. “What do I tell her?”
    â€œMake something up. Some disease. I don’t want to hear about you going soft either. If you find so much as a bump, you use that saber, do you understand?” Wystan jabbed his finger into Eban’s chest. “No matter how pretty you think she is.”
    Eban pushed him away. “I know.”
    â€œBecause, Eban, I swear to God, one of those wormy little bastards shows up in this town and I’m beheading you.” Wystan let the weight of his words sink in.
    â€œLike Sandra?”
    If those two words had been nails, they’d have pierced Wystan’s heart. He clenched his jaw so hard his teeth ached. “Go to hell.”
    â€œI’m about as close as anyone can get.” There wasn’t any anger in Eban’s voice. Pity, sorrow, even some regret.
    â€œGo join Astaroth. He’d probably love to have a Heckmaster in his hands.” Wystan’s vision was red, his body coiled so tightly that he wanted to hit his brother. The Dukes were drawing closer, walking slowly because they no doubt sensed the animosity in the air.
    â€œWys, I’m sorry. That was cruel.”
    Eban moved forward, reaching out, but Wystan jerked away. The saloon called, wooing him with whiskey and the promise of helping him forget the way he’d taken Sandra’s head off. Maybe tonight it would help him forget how her big blue eyes had reflected candlelight that burned until she fell asleep. The way she’d come at him in the dead of night with a parasite demon inside her head, determined to kill him or drag him back to Astaroth’s lair. Wystan choked on his next breath, staggered away from the