Shimmer: The Rephaim Book 3 Read Online Free

a black woollen jumper. The Outcasts rejected many things when they walked away from the Sanctuary, but not the Rephaim penchant for black on black. He glances at me—the last time I saw him I was outside the club in LA with a knife sticking out of my leg—and then his eyes snap to Jude. First time since finding out my brother’s alive. His face crumples a little.
    ‘You are guests,’ Calista says. ‘Show some respect.’
    ‘Or what?’ Mya says.
    ‘Or we’re going to see if you’ve got any better at swinging that sword.’
    I look to Nathaniel. Why isn’t he stepping in? But then I understand: he’s too busy counting. He’s looking the Outcasts over, checking they’re all there. My stomach drops again. The Outcasts as one reposition their weight and lift their weapons.
    A small army stands behind Nathaniel and the Five. At least thirty Rephaim. Some I recognise from my first trip up the mountain last week. Most I don’t. They’re lined up with military precision, armed with swords and poleaxes. That night on the mountain—the night we got Maggie back after Taya took her to get to me—Rafa, Ez and Zak fought against a handful of Sanctuary Rephaim. At least until the Gatekeeper demons arrived. Then they put aside their grudges and fought shoulder to shoulder. Now, without an immediate threat from a third party, the tension between the two groups has snapped back.
    Malachi is front and centre. Eyes only for me. Glaring. Does he blame me for what’s happening to Taya? Or does he blame himself? If he’d been there, his battle partner wouldn’t be imprisoned with Rafa, horribly injured and fighting off demons while we…
    No.
    I’m not game to move, anyway, the slightest gesture could set off either group. Eyes on both sides flick to Jude and me. We’re unarmed. Jude raises his eyebrows and I have no idea what to do. What was I thinking, bringing the Outcasts here?
    I search for red hair, find Daisy in the crowd of Rephaim. She’s eyeballing the Outcasts, but a tear tracks down her freckled cheek. She’s seen Jude. They might have been enemies for the past decade but there’s no doubt how much it means to her that he’s alive. Micah is there too, tall and blond, absently spinning the hilt of his katana. He catches my eye, nods a quick greeting, and then fixes his attention back on Mya. I’m glad he and Daisy are in the room: they’re the only Sanctuary Rephaim who haven’t treated me like a sworn enemy over the past week.
    ‘Everyone needs to calm down,’ Daniel says. He accepts the sword Malachi offers. Calista and Uri are armed now too.
    ‘You want us to stay calm?’ Mya points her katana at Calista. ‘You just called in two squads.’
    Calista knocks the blade away. ‘Watch your tone.’
    Three blades whip up to replace Mya’s—Jones, Ez and Zak, their swords all trained on Calista’s throat.
    ‘Lower your weapons.’
    Nathaniel. Finally.
    ‘Them first.’ Mya gestures to the Rephaim behind Nathaniel.
    ‘Lower your weapons,’ he repeats.
    Nobody moves. Nathaniel shouldn’t be surprised the Outcasts don’t obey: they’ve been in open rebellion against him for a decade.
    ‘Don’t think we won’t take you on,’ Calista says. ‘This is long overdue.’
    God, there’s no way this is ending without carnage. Blood pounds at my temples. ‘What is wrong with you people?’
    The coiled rage in the room shifts, winds around me. I feel blurred, smudged, as if I don’t quite fit in my skin. I jump up on the pew, stare them down. ‘While you’re busy with your pissing contest, Zarael has Rafa and Taya in that farmhouse.’ My voice is too loud, I can’t help it. I’m buzzing with fear and anger and panic. ‘You should be falling over yourselves to save them. Or is this crap so important you’ll let Gatekeepers do what they like to them?’
    ‘You’re not in a position to make demands anymore, Gabe,’ Calista says.
    ‘Those demons killed a sixteen-year-old girl and her mother. I