The Massacre Mechanism (The Downwinders Book 5) Read Online Free Page A

be, considering where she’s at, Lyman replied, removing his hand from Winn’s shoulder
and drifting to the other side of the table.
    Tell me
again why you have to leave her in that horrible place? Winn said. I know you’ve told me
before. I guess I’m hoping that the story will be different.
    It’s not, Lyman replied. The weapon you
used to capture Willard Bingham was the same weapon I used many times in the
past to round up a large number of evil, degenerate entities. When you misfired
and hit Deem with it, she was transferred to the soul cage with the others.
    Didn’t
misfire, Winn
muttered. She stepped in front of me. Of it.
    Yes, Lyman replied. However it
happened, she’s in there with hundreds of malevolent people. When I open the
soul cage, they’ll all come out, including Deem. I can’t release them until I’m
ready to use them. I’d be wasting decades of work.
    You
wouldn’t do that for her? Winn asked. I know she’s important to you.
    Winn watched
as Lyman looked down at Deem. He could see the man’s face soften; he knew Deem
reminded him of a former love, someone from a hundred and fifty years ago that
he’d cared about very much. Then he saw Lyman’s face slowly harden. She’s
important, Lyman said. But she’s fine, for now. I can’t discard all of
the work I’ve labored so hard to complete.
    And what
is that? Winn asked. What’s the plan?
    Lyman turned
to look at him. He didn’t reply.
    I know
you have a plan, Winn
said. Why won’t you tell me?
    Some of
the worst setbacks I’ve suffered came from people I trusted, Lyman answered, looking down at
Deem. I’ve found it’s best to share knowledge when there’s a reason to, not
before. I’m asking both you and Deem to be patient.
    Winn felt
himself sigh. It was probably the fourth or fifth time he’d approached Lyman,
hoping the man would let him in on things and give him some idea of how Deem
would finally be freed, but to no avail. Lyman kept his cards close to his
chest and never let anyone see them until the last moment. It was frustrating,
but what could he do? Deem’s body was alive for now, thanks to the creature Lyman
had slathered over her face; without it, Winn suspected her physical body would
have died long ago. He had no choice but to trust Lyman and wait.
    I have to
go, Winn said,
turning.
    Winn? Lyman said, stopping him. Winn
turned to face the ghost of the young man, staring at his features, waiting.
Although it was unwrinkled, it showed signs of maturity and weariness. It
will be soon, Lyman said.
    Winn tried
to force a smile in return, but between the irritation with David and the stonewalling
from Lyman, he wasn’t feeling capable of delivering a false emotion, and it
resulted in a half-hearted smirk that looked anything but appreciative.
     
    ▪ ▪ ▪
     
    Awan
instructed Winn where to park his Jeep behind the abandoned brick building, a
spot where it wouldn’t be noticed by passersby. The young Paiute hopped out of
the passenger seat, and the warm desert air lifted his long black hair as he
walked to the building.
    “Looks
deserted,” Winn said.
    “It usually
is,” Awan replied. “The owner renovated it several years ago. I guess he
thought the town was going to pick up again, but as you can see, it hasn’t.”
    Awan led him
to a fire escape that hung ten feet in the air above them. “How’s your upper
body strength?” Awan asked.
    Winn rolled
his shoulders, wondering what Awan had in mind. “OK, I guess.”
    “If I hang
from there, can you pull yourself up over me?”
    Winn looked
up at the metal bar overhead. “Not sure.”
    Awan knelt
down. “Then I’ll do it. Here, let me boost you up. Just hang from the bar until
I climb over you, then I’ll pull you up.”
    Winn placed
the toe of his boot into Awan’s hands and stepped. He felt himself thrown
upward remarkably fast, and within seconds he had his hands wrapped around the
metal bar.
    Before he
knew it, Awan had jumped to his legs and was