Alan Price and the Statue of Zeus (The Nephilim Chronicles Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

and continued down the steep trail towards the beach’s rhythmic crashing of waves. They had been walking for hours: Alan and Raphael in the lead and Ardat trailing behind. “And the demon?” Raphael asked. “The demon shares your same thoughts?”
    Alan almost laughed out loud. Then he did. It felt good. Raphael gave him a sideways glance past his thick grey hair. “Sorry,” Alan said taking in a big breath of air. “It’s just that I have more control over what you do than I do over her . I’m supposed to lead and be getting us ready to stop Gabriel from evoking the apocalypse but no one will listen to me. So I guess we’re all just going to burn together.”
    The two men traveled side-by-side for the rest of the day. As the sun began to set, they finally crested a large hill and gained access to the sea. The ocean was magnificent. Adding to the never-ending plain of rolling water was the scent of sea salt in the air. A slight breeze played across Alan’s shoulders and sent his blonde hair stirring behind him.
    The stillness the view afforded was mesmerizing. Birds continued to flap in the air and squawked over discovered or captured meals but the quiet from the lack of human presence brought was calming. Alan felt his stomach groan in protest as they made their way to the beach. “I’m guessing we’re going back to your house? Do you have food there?”
    Raphael ignored him at first then thought better of his action and spoke. “I don’t know if I’ve made myself clear or not. I do not want your company.”
    Alan shrugged off the rude remark that he had been expecting over the course of their entire trip. “I forgot: you and Ardat are supernatural beings so you don’t need food or sleep, right? They’re just comforts rather than necessities. That’s fine, I’ll find something to eat myself once we get to your place.”
    The next moment, Alan’s feet hit sand. Raphael chose to ignore him again. It burned Alan to remain so cheerful and optimistic when he felt like screaming at the Archangel. However, Alan kept reminding himself if he was to have any chance of redeeming, Raphael this was how it was going to be done. Not through force or a sense of duty but through time and understanding.
    The sky was a blaze of pinks and purples giving way to night when the trio finally reached Raphael’s house. Alan was surprised to see that what Raphael called a home was nothing more than pieces of driftwood erected on an outcropping of rocks spanning a dozen yards past the shoreline into the ocean.
    As they crossed the beach, crabs burrowed from their sandy caves and snapped their claws towards Raphael. Birds swooped down low and twirled in the air just overhead. If Alan didn’t know better, he would think they were welcoming the Archangel back home.
    As they reached the outcropping of dark-shaped rocks and made their way the last few yards to the shack, Raphael threw a brooding glance over his shoulder. Alan could tell it had something to do with Ardat. What exactly he didn’t know, but there was an internal struggle raging within his traveling companion.
    Finally, they reached Raphael’s home. What had appeared to be a pile of driftwood before was actually an eight-foot tall structure made of various shapes of wooden panels. A soft glow showed through two windows and promised a warm stay inside.
    Raphael reached a tentative hand towards the door, then stopped as though he was experiencing physical pain. He turned around to address Ardat. The entire trip she had not spoken a word remaining content to travel behind them by herself. “Demon, you are far from welcome into my house. However, I will not turn away someone who professes to aid in the wellbeing of a man I once called a friend.”
    Even through the growing darkness Alan could see Ardat roll her eyes. Her voice traveled towards them above the gentle wash of waves with a dismissive ring, “Save your words. Since you will not answer the call, there are