Bad Apple (The Warner Grimoire) Read Online Free Page A

be back on its feet soon. “Zoey! Answer me!”
    Zoey lifted her head and looked right into Simon’s eyes. Her eyes were puffy and red--she had been crying into Simon’s jacket.
    “It’s okay,” he said, desperately watching the dog, who was starting to kick its legs and thrash its head. “It’s okay.” He scooped up Zoey and checked the street, completely empty of any cars, then bolted towards the tavern. He didn’t care if the dog took off again, it was stunned, for now at least, so if he could make it to the door, they could get inside and lock it. The motions of his plan burned in his mind as he reached the front door of tavern, set Zoey down, and yanked hard on the handle.
    The door held shut. Locked.
    “Simon!” Zoey shouted. “He’s up!”
    Simon snapped his head around at the dog. It had just worked its way to its feet and was shaking its head violently.
    “The back door!” Simon grabbed Zoey’s hand. “There’s a hidden key! Hurry!” They took off running. The dog was alert now, pursuing them again as they rounded the corner to the back alley. They dodged around the dumpster for the video store next door and bolted straight for the back door. Simon hoped maybe it would be unlocked, but no such luck. He pounded on the door in frustration and fumbled for the key hidden behind the loose brick. Where was everybody? Why was the Paw all locked up in the middle of the day?
    The dog had reached the alley, running faster than before. Simon wasn’t sure what had blown the creature back, but he had no time to wonder. There was no time to guess. He needed to get them inside.
    The dog had cleared the dumpster and was coming straight at them. They had run out of time. The dog was going to get them.
    Simon jumped to his feet, pushing Zoey behind him. He braced his legs and prepared for the dog’s teeth to sink into his arm. Desperation crept over him as he searched in vain for an alternative. His knees and stomach still ached from the attack at the firehouse.
    “ Your family motto,” the Other Voice whispered in his mind. “You know the words. Use them .”
    The hound closed in, jumping high in the air, coming fast. Simon flashed on Sam’s motto. Ex luce vita , those very words Sam had spoken so many times, always in times of trouble. Sam had never shared what it meant, and Simon had never bothered to learn. It was always just Sam’s weird little thing, nothing more. Really what harm was left in it, especially now? Ex luce vita. The notion blossomed in an instant, and Simon was lifting his hand to protect himself. He gazed along the top of his finger directly at the dog, and he shouted the words which now seemed to boil on his tongue. Ex luce vita. Ex luce vita. Ex luce vita.
    He took a deep breath. “ Ex vita luce! ”
    A sizzling, burning, crackling sensation tore across his hands. Everything went white.
    Then, all was dark.
    * * *
    Simon spasmed and sat up on the big orange couch. His last memory overtook him and he looked at his hands, expecting to see burns, but remarkably he was unscathed. He stared in disbelief.
    “Sam!” Molly was approaching. “Sam, he’s up.” She placed her hand on Simon’s chest, pushing him back down onto the couch. “Oh, Simon,” she said. She pushed a few stray hairs out of his face, kissed him lightly on the forehead. “Thank you,” she whispered. “Thank you for protecting my baby.”
    Simon tried to talk but his voice wouldn’t cooperate. He tried to sit up but Molly put her hand on his chest, stilling him. His eyes found the window over the couch. It was night already. How long had he been out?
    “Rest for now, sweetheart.” She turned towards the door. “Sam?” She called downstairs. “Did you hear me? I said Simon’s awake.”
    Sam’s voice floated up from the tavern below. “I’ll be up in a minute,” he said. He sounded funny.
    Molly furrowed her brow “That man,” she said to herself. She looked back to Simon. “Are you feeling okay, Simon?