Heroes (Eirik Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

someone to be trifled with. I’d never gotten that vibe from Rhys. As we got closer, Echo tapped his friend on the arm and the black dude with dreadlocks turned.
    Damn. I recognize that one, too.
    Four months ago, Dreadlocks had chatted with Echo outside Grimnirs Hall. Since then, he’d grown a nice moustache and a beard. Looked nice on him. When I got closer to them, I noticed the jagged scar across his right eyebrow. It only added to the dark aura of controlled menace Dreadlocks exuded.
    He smiled, and I was surprised at how his features softened. I didn’t return his smile. I had my orders. Forget my stay in Hel. Too bad if they recognized me. I ignored them as Wes handed the bouncer our tickets. He waved us in, and we got our hands stamped. I could feel the Girmnirs’ eyes drilling holes in my back. I clung to Wes’ hand.
    The crowd tonight was larger than usual. Windfall was the second largest city on the northeast shores of Lake Pontchartrain. Red Barn was the nightclub for most teens, even though we had two other clubs in town. The place had a stage with perfect lighting for bands, a dance floor, and seating areas downstairs and upstairs. It was a favorite venue for the local dance and gymnastic schools.
    We weaved our way past giggling girls and their pretending-to-be-cool boyfriends. Zack high-fived some and pointed and nodded at the others, until we reached our table. Winning the state championships and MVP had made my cousin even more popular around town.
    Zack’s friends and their cheerleader girlfriends were already seated. The table was to the right of the stage and perfectly set for watching performers without dancers blocking us. Three seats awaited us, and since no one had thought about poor Wes, I let him take my seat and sat on his lap, which earned me a scowl from Zack.
    Yeah, deal with it.
    “We’ll get you guys drinks,” Zack said and looked pointedly at Wes.
    “We just sat, Zack,” I griped. I knew what he was doing. If Wes left with him, I couldn’t sit on his lap.
    “Dude,” he said, ignoring me. He didn’t have to say, “Get up.”
    Wes lifted me off his lap and stood. Zack clamped a hand on his shoulder and nudged him toward the bar.
    “So you and Wes are knocking booties now, Pint?” Alejandro asked.
    Shocked silence filled the table. Even Hayden stayed quiet. She wasn’t used to Alejandro and his bluntness. I was. Alejandro Sanches and Zack had been buddies since elementary school. He used to attend Windfall High until last summer when his parents moved to New Orleans. He might be visiting his grandparents, who were prominent Witches of Windfall.
    “None of your business, Giant,” I retorted.
    “Nice comeback. I expected a kick on the shin.”
    “You might still get it,” I retorted. I searched for Echo and Dreadlocks among the faces in the club, but I couldn’t see them. They must not have come inside.
    “Pint?” Hayden asked, and my attention returned to our group.
    Alejandro smirked. “Celestia’s nickname. She’s puny.”
    “Yet I can still kick your ass.” He grinned, showing a chipped tooth. He knew what I meant. Magic. Alejandro had embraced his family’s gift much more easily than Zack had. “Incoming.” I punched his arm. “Too slow. Told you.”
    “I don’t have to be fast. I just need to knock people down. I leave chasing animal skin to your cousin and Liam.” He bumped fists with Ken Laroche. Alejandro and Ken used to be on the wrestling team while Liam and Zack played football.
    This was the first time Alejandro was meeting Hayden. So while he charmed her, I searched for the reapers. I couldn’t see or feel them. Techno music thrummed in the air and some people were already dancing. The stage was empty, but soon the four members of S2P would take to the stage and pull more people to the dance floor.
    Zack and Wes were on their way back when the two Grimnirs entered the club. They approached a table to our right, and for one brief moment,