The Human Side (The Demon Side Series) Read Online Free PDF

girls. He had yet to learn not to talk with mouth full and sent chunks of potato flying my direction.
    “Then it’s settled. You fellas keep an eye on these young ladies.” John folded a few twenty-dollar bills and handed them to me. Not a word was spoken for the duration of the meal. Everyone helped clear the table as Etta washed the dishes. The way she banged them around in the sink and dish rack gave me the impression something had upset her. Seeing an opportunity to get close to her, I grabbed a towel and began wiping off the cleaned dishes.
    “I don’t need your help.”
    “I’m not doing it because I think you do.”
    “Now you have manners?”
    “Listen, I think we started off on the wrong foot.”
    “Yep. The same foot you stuck in your mouth.”
    “I’m trying to apologize.”
    “Don’t. I only accept apologies from people who matter.”
    Her snide remark cut me. I had every intention of responding, but held it when John stepped between us with his back to me. Over his shoulder, I noticed he handed her something with a glass of water. With a kiss to her forehead, he left the kitchen. I could hear him and Gabriel talking in the living room. Returning my attention to the dishes, I watched as Etta tossed four pills into the drain.
    “Shouldn’t you have taken those?” I asked.
    “Shouldn’t you keep your nose out of other people’s business?” she replied as she flipped a switch, turning on the garbage disposal.
    “You say a word to my dad, and I’ll kick your butt.” And with that she walked away. I finished up my chore and went into the living room.
    “Well, we’re going to go get ready,” Amy said, as Etta left without so much as a goodbye.
    “You girls need the car?” Rene asked.
    “No. We have my mom’s minivan, or better known as the Mormon mobile. We’ll stop by in an hour to pick up the guys.”
    John plopped down on the couch next to Gabriel and turned on the television to a show about how various products are made. Gabriel became enthralled as they showed the process of making surf boards. Only a few minutes into the program, Rene got up and disappeared upstairs.
    “Keep close tabs on Etta tonight. She didn’t take her medication. She’ll be vulnerable,” John whispered.
    “I thought she didn’t need them anymore? The veil closed.”
    “It would have closed if someone didn’t leave a feather behind or keep sneaking into her room.”
    “So she remembers?”
    “Not everything, but she knows she has a ‘Guardian Angel’ that watches her sleep, and when she’s awake, all she sees are Demons, thanks to you.”
    “Demons?”
    “What, you think just because you brought her back it all went away? With every one of your visits, the numbers of attempts on her life have multiplied, and with those, more memories flood in her head.”
    “And what if they attack tonight? What can we do? We’re only human,” Gabriel chimed in.
    “I’ll sense an attack, but I can only flash short distances. I can pull off multiple flashes, but it can be draining. Depending on where she is, it may take me a while to get to her, and even then, I won’t be at my full strength. Should you need to act, hold on to him for dear life. The physical contact should drain him enough to level the playing field by the time I arrive.”
    “What about her Guardians?” I asked.
    “They got pulled off her detail when you came down. The big man didn’t want them confusing you with a threat.”
    “She’s completely unprotected?”
    “I’m all she has right now.”
    The more I heard, the more I knew I had made a huge mistake in my choice to come to Earth. My being here had put her in danger. A strange series of beeps came from outside, interrupting the conversation.
    “Your ride is here. Remember what I said. Don’t let Etta out of your sight tonight.” A large white mini-van idled in the driveway. Etta hopped out of the front passenger seat and into the back as we approached.
    “Benjamin, you’re