Demon Lord 5: Silver Crown King Read Online Free PDF Page A

offering, so I didn’t get my hopes up.  Instead, I poured us both another shot.  I wasn’t worried about Angie getting bombed outta her skull.  Werewolves—even in human form—have an incredible tolerance for liquor.  Nearly as good as mine.
    Angie finished her third drink and held onto the empty glass while pointing at me.  “You know what I hate about you.”
    “Probably a long list.  What specifically?”
    “That you’re not only right, but a fucking insufferable bastard about it.”
    I smiled.  “You’re welcome.” 
    Sarah looked at Angie.  “You’re crazy.”
    Angie shook her head.  “Nah, don’t let him fool you.  He knew I’d break apart if he was nice to me, so he acted normal instead.  And he’s right.  I knew that something inside had gone sour.  His spirit had seemed to be fine after his resurrection, but over time, a shadow crept in.  He started losing himself a little at a time.  Then the blue star bitch attacked the city, and William made a decision he knew was wrong.  I think he knew he was destroying himself.  Maybe he wanted someone to put him down and return him to the grave before his real self was totally swallowed.” 
    Sarah looked at me.  “It was suicide by asshole.”
    “Next comment you make,” I told her, “I’m rolling you into a ball and sticking your head up your ass so you can see what dark really looks like.  Or better yet, I can just bitch slap you with my cock.”
    Sarah’s eyes smoldered.  “I’ll tell Gloria on you.”
    I laughed.  “Gloria would just be miffed about missing the action.  She might insist on an instant replay.” 
    I refilled Angie’s glass.  This one she drank slowly. 
    She said, “I should have stepped up and defended the pack, challenging for the lead spot.  I might not have won, but I’d sure feel a lot better about myself.”
    “Look,” I said, “If it’s punishment you want, it’s punishment you already got.  Why not shake it off and be the alpha now that your pack needs.”
    Angie shook her head.  “I can’t do that.  With William gone, it’s the Fenris’ call.  If I just take over, he might think I’m acting presumptuous.  It’s asking for a slap down.”
    Angie had apparently not left next door without her precious phone; I heard an Abba ringtone: “Money, money, money…”
    I stared at her.  “For a high priced attorney, that’s strangely appropriate.”
    “Shush.”  She waved me into silence.  “Hello, this is Angie—”
    I heard a deep, growly voice over the phone, interrupting her.
    “Yes, sir,” she said.  “No, I understand.  The pack, honestly, it needs a lot of work.  I—”
    Growly voice, interrupting again.  No nonsense phone call apparently.
    “Yes, sir.  I’ll tell him.”  The call ended.  She put her phone away.
    “Tell me what?” I asked. Damn, cheap-assed, were-wolf phones; can’t overhear shit, even this close
    Sarah said, “What makes you think the call was about you?”
    I just stared at Angie.  “That was the Fenris, right?”
    She nodded.  “He’s appointed me alpha.  It’s a probationary position.  If I prove myself, I get to keep it, if not,” she shrugged, “I’ll be sent to Chicago or Detroit, some place that heavily benefits from excessively liberal policies.”
    “That’s cruel and merciless,” I said.  “Any of a thousand hell-dimensions would be better.”
    She squared her shoulders, slipped on a mask of confidence, and slid off the barstool.  “I have to go.  There’s a lot of work to do.  I gotta round up my wolves, and I think we need a new place to live.”
    “So that means you’re not going to be available for my coronation and kegger?” I asked.
    Angie headed for the door.  “Sorry, no.  Later.”  She crossed to the door and went out.
    “I’m free,” Sarah said.
    I looked at her.  “I can use some hired help to get things ready and help serve the guests.”
    Her eyes narrowed.  “I don’t come