The Human Side (The Demon Side Series) Read Online Free Page B

to cross that line.” His threat fired me up. His holier-than-thou attitude became perturbing. Kicking my chair back, I stood, ready to send my fist crashing into his face. John’s chest met with mine as Gabriel tried squeezing his body between us.
    “Boys! We are on the same team. Least we can do is be civil toward each other. I do believe I outrank the both of you, and if I must, I will pull that rank,” Gabriel said, pushing John and me apart.
    “I think this game is over. Down the street is a store that can offer better clothing than I can. Take my card and buy a few things to get by with.” John pulled a piece of plastic from his wallet and handed it to Gabriel.
    My brother had a blast trying on different shirts, pants, and shoes. He settled on a black T-shirt under a dark blue silken shirt with the print of a fire breathing dragon, a pair of tan boots and black Dickies pants. Happy with his choices, he grabbed a few of each color and style.
    I, on the other hand, kept it simple with just a few pairs of blue jeans, white T-shirts and black boots. Against his wishes, I made sure I grabbed a few packages of underwear for him and socks for the both of us.
    “Oh, hey guys.” Amy greeted us as we walked out of the store.
    “Hello, girls,” Gabriel replied, with an ear-to-ear smile as he laid eyes on Amy. I knew that smile all too well. It’s how I imagined my face lit up when I saw Etta walking next to her friend. I let my brother do the talking as we trailed behind them. “And where are you two off to?”
    “My dad’s house,” Etta replied.
    “What a coincidence. That is where we are heading. Mind if we walk with you ladies?”
    “Not at all.” Amy giggled as Etta lightly shoved her with a roll of her eyes. Being braver than me, Gabriel took a few rapid strides to catch up with the girls, taking his place next to Amy.
    She fell for a Demon once, but the question remains; will she do it again ? I held back, allowing the trio space as Father’s words rattled through my head. How can I do what I’m required to do ? How far can I push without breaking ?
    “Oh, how cute.” Amy stopped and pointed at a window displaying stuffed English bulldogs clad in camouflage and the dress blue uniform Marines wore.
    “Oh, those are way cute. We should get one for my dad,” Etta added. There’d be no better time to get the ball rolling.
    “Why in the world would you buy a full grown man a stuffed animal?” I asked, sardonically.
    “Because it’s adorable, and he’s my father,” Etta retorted.
    “Only a child would think such a thing. It’s ridiculous if you ask me.”
    “Well, good thing no one asked you.” She stormed into the shop and returned, stuffed animal in hand.
    “I think your father will love it,” Gabriel said, shooting me a shut-the-hell-up glance.
    “How much did that stupid thing just cost you?”
    “None of your business.”
    “Too much I bet. I wouldn’t be surprised if you found it in the morning’s trash bin.”
    “What is your malfunction, dude?” Etta snapped around and faced me on the porch of John’s house.
    “I just hate seeing people waste their money on pointless crap.”
    “What I do with my money is my choice.”
    “You’re right. It is your choice. You’re lucky it isn’t mine, or I’d tear that ugly thing’s head off and put it where it belongs…in the dumpster.” She clenched her jaw; the sight twisted my stomach into knots.
    “Dick.” Amy placed her arm around Etta and led her into the house, slamming the door behind them. Relieved they were out of sight, I practically collapsed on the steps of the porch.
    “Well, if you were going for asshole, I think you accomplished it.” Gabriel sat next to me as I cradle my head in my hands.
    “I don’t know if I can do this.”
    “You haven’t the choice anymore, Brother.”
    “There has to be some other way.”
    “Afraid not. The deal has been made. You’re bound to it.”
    John stormed out onto the porch and