Demons in My Driveway Read Online Free PDF Page B

checked the display.
    Sara had texted to ask if I was alright. That meant two things:
she was probably having insomnia problems again and Maurice had been with her
when he got my message. As usual, rather than worry about herself, Sara was more
concerned about me. I texted her back that I was fine and I’d explain later. No
need to add to her insomnia.
    But no, I was not alright.
    I wanted to bolt the minute nobody was watching. Unfortunately,
I didn’t think there would ever again be a minute when nobody was watching
me.
    I was a superstar. I was an anomaly. I was a painful reminder
of their losses.
    And I was probably putting everyone in danger by sitting there
with them. I glanced at the sky. Lightning could strike me down any second,
taking out anyone dumb enough to stand in my vicinity.
    Sorry
,
Bernice.
We both managed to stay alive against all the odds
,
and now you’ll
die a painful death because we sat at the same table.
We never should have left the safety of home.
    The noise died down, and Lord Chilford resumed his depressing
speech.
    “So far,” he said, his voice notably quieter, more worn, “the
Covenant has held. We still have a few Aegises, and
most
of them are
kept under close guard for their own safety.” He glared at Bernice. “I know my
people are out looking for new Aegises across the U.K., and I’m quite certain
you all have your own people doing the same. Our governing bodies have been
diminished, but here we stand, continuing to work for the good of both humans
and Hidden. We’re still doing our jobs, even under these difficult
circumstances. The Covenant remains in place.”
    Lord Chilford said something I missed, then smiled a weary
smile. “Before I turn the floor over to Australia’s Councilor Emily Brower, I
want to beseech you all, one last time. Put aside old enmities. Share your
stories with honesty, and listen to the stories of others without thinking of
ways to cash in on their misfortune. We’ve all suffered. It’s time to unite as
one.”
    Polite clapping showed they were at least willing to give it a
try.
    He smiled, a little less weary. “Thank you. And now, I present
to you—”
    A girl of about twenty, with mousy hair and watery eyes,
stepped from the shadows and hesitated before she tugged his sleeve. He frowned
in annoyance at the interruption. She stood on tiptoes, covering his ear with
her cupped hand and whispered something, then handed him a slip of paper. He
read it, and the color left his face.
    He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. When he
opened them, he didn’t look any calmer. “My friends.” His voice cracked and he
tried again. “My friends, it seems the stakes are already higher than we
believed.” He paused again to gulp water and pat his forehead with the limp
hanky. The man was a drama king if I’d ever seen one.
    For once, everyone sat still and quiet, waiting.
    Chilford blew out a breath and waved the piece of paper in the
air. “I have terrible news. It seems a portal has opened in South Wales. There’s
been a possible werewolf sighting.” He fixed several seemingly random
individuals with a dire stare, then rested his gaze on me, his expression
softer. “The Covenant is weakening.”
    The place erupted. Everyone spoke at once and chairs overturned
as people stood in haste.
    Before I could sort out what Chilford’s information could mean,
a gentle hand cupped my elbow. “Alright, poppit? Best come with me.”
    Confused, I glanced at Bernice, who nodded, then at the man
holding my arm as if it were a delicate work of art. Wiggy, the hotel
manager/bartender smiled down at me with his laughing eyes. The rest of his face
was solemn, but those eyes never stopped smiling.
    Marcus stood behind him, and he nodded too. The four of us
ducked out of the pavilion and trekked through the grass back to the hotel. I
tried to ask questions, but Wiggy pressed one finger to his lips to shush
me.
    Once we made it safely into the pub, Wiggy