Rise From Darkness Read Online Free Page A

at his side, a hot flash ran through his body. If he tried to take them all, there could be collateral damage. Maybe even Gaby.
    “Alexander thinks he’s so much better than us. Who do you think you are, spoiling our fun this morning? Why don’t you just stay out of it and let us have her?”
    Alexander’s blood boiled, “Stay away from her, Forras !”
    “There, that’s better. I told my friends here that you are too pure and perfect to get involved with a human girl. I’m afraid the others don’t believe me though. They want to know what’s so special about her. What is it? Her bright blue eyes, her tight body—”
    “There is nothing between us.” Alexander lunged forward.
    Forras jumped in front of him. “You think you have some sort of higher purpose here on Earth? Wrong. You’re only one step away from becoming a demon.”
    “You’ll never turn me. I’m nothing like you.”
    “It’s not you I’m thinking about turning.” He smiled revealing his crooked yellowed teeth. The demon kind, not the straight ones he displayed to humans. He pivoted on his heels and jumped to a branch six feet overhead. The mangrove and oak trees swayed, producing a creaking sound that radiated through the woods.
    “I told you to stay away from Gaby.”
    “Gaby? Hmm, I like that name. It sounds… spunky.” Forras stared down at him with a wicked grin. “It was fun playing with her, but she isn’t the one I’m referring to.” He paused, jumping from the tree landing on all fours then standing erect before him. “Have you seen your little Sammy lately?”
    Rage surfaced with an explosive desire to attack. “Touch her and I’ll—”
    “It’s her choice, not yours. But I’m not the one that’s going to win her over. Boon is with her right now, on the beach outside your home, whispering sweet nothings to your little adopted sister,” Forras drawled.
    Alexander spread his wings but hesitated. He glanced back at Gaby’s house.
    Forras stepped back and leaned against a tree. “Torn are we?”
    It would only take a moment to reach the beach and return but that would still give Forras time to do some real damage.
    “I’ll make a deal with you.” Forras gave a derisive smile.
    “No deals.” Alexander snapped back.
    “Not so fast.” Forras looked at the other demons “Gaby’s off limits for tonight. We don’t want to miss Boon and Sammy getting it on at the beach.” Forras turned, removing his letter jacket. His shirt shredded into long strips of dark blue cloth when massive grey muscles exploded. Red eyes shone for a moment before Forras turned mid-transformation, saluted Alexander, and bolted into the woods. The others followed.
    Alexander took flight with such speed leaves shaved off the large oak tree and floated toward the ground. Racing near the tree line to avoid detection, he punched at the air, swearing under his breath. He grabbed a branch and tore the tree from the ground, roots and all. Dirt and dust erupted behind him and the tree crashed to the ground.
    A cyclone of sand rose when Alexander landed on the beach. Boon and Sammy tumbled around on a blanket, arms wrapped around each other kissing, Boon’s small pasty white frame on top, and his glasses resting on the edge of the blanket.
    Alexander’s jaw twitched. His hands wrapped around Boon’s throat, throttling him before they even knew of his presence.
    “Alex, don’t.” Sammy’s wings exploded in a spark of rose light and she took flight, landing beside them. “Alexander, I promise. Nothing happened. We were just talking.”
    “Talking is how they win you over. Don’t you know that? Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve said?” He bellowed.
    Sammy jumped at the sound of his voice echoing across the ocean. She moved slowly toward him with her wings still outstretched, obviously ready to fight in Boon’s defense if needed.
    “It’s my fault. I asked her to meet me here.” Boon snapped.
    His brow arched at the entreaty in