The Shroud of A'Ranka (Brimstone Network Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the hand that he had just used to destroy their partner now resting fitfully upon his brow.
    “I need to leave this place,” he said. Vladek took his hand away to look at them with piercing yellow eyes. “And you will help me.”
    The vampire pointed to the multiple religious objects littering the floor around them.
    “Remove them,” he commanded.
    Not wanting to incur the monster’s wrath, Lewis and Mason did as they were told, clearing the path of everything that might have been offensive to the ancient vampire lord. Then, one on either side, they helped the weakened creature from the room and down the stone passage that led from the cave.
    It was still nighttime when they reached the mouth, coming out onto the ledge.
    Despite the fact that Vladek was mostly skin and bones, he was surprisingly heavy, and Lewis began to wonderhow they would manage to take him down the treacherous mountain.
    “I need to feed,” the vampire said, leaning heavily upon them.
    Lewis was about to suggest that he feed upon Mason when the vampire closed his eyes and sniffed the night air.
    “There is a village nearby?” Vladek asked.
    Mason nodded, and Lewis recalled that there was indeed a small village at the base of the mountain where they had spent the night before beginning their climb.
    “Yes, a small one,” Lewis answered.
    “Excellent,” the vampire lord said, opening his yellow, animal eyes. Thick streams of saliva had begun to run from the corners of his hungry mouth. “That will do nicely.”

3.
    B RAM STEPPED FROM THE DIMENSIONAL RIFT INTO the main chamber of the Lindesfarne location with Bogey right behind him.
    The Mauthe Dhoog was sucking on a straw stuck inside a big plastic cup with MEGA-GULP written in bright green letters on the side.
    “Why are you mad?” Bogey asked.
    “I’m not mad,” Bram answered, stopping as the little creature closed the rift behind them.
    “No, I think you’re mad,” the Mauthe Dhoog continued, pausing for a moment before continuing to drink his refreshment.
    “I’m not mad, I’m annoyed,” Bram added.
    “Okay, why are you annoyed?”
    “I’m annoyed because no matter where we go or when, you have to stop at a convenience store for a Slushie.”
    “I love Slushies,” Bogey said, his wide lips stained sky blue from his drink. “I can’t stop thinking about them. Do you know that last night I dreamed I was drinking a giant Slushie from inside a big, white bowl, and I woke up in the bathroom, where I—”
    Bram held up his hand. “Do you hear that?”
    Bogey stopped to listen while Bram walked to the door at the end of the room and pulled it open. The sound of an alarm from somewhere in the ancient structure wailed.
    Without a moment’s pause, he darted toward the sound.
    “Wait up!” Bogey screeched, still carrying his Slushie. “Don’t you want to hear how it ended up with me in the bathroom?”
    Bram didn’t; his entire focus was already directed toward the alarm. He reached the end of a twisting corridor and stopped.
    “What’s going on?” he asked from the doorway of the room containing the ghostly globe of the world.
    “You just scared the crap out of me,” Dez said, clutching a hand to his chest. “Next time couldn’t you whistle to let us know you’re around?”
    “Sorry.” Bram entered the room, his gaze fixed on the translucent version of Earth hovering in the air above the circular platform.
    “Maybe you should wear a bell around your neck,” Dez grumbled. His father chuckled beside his chair.
    “Boo!” Bogey screeched, jumping into the doorway behind Bram. “Did I scare ya?” he asked, sipping from his Slushie, dark eyes twinkling with mischief.
    “Nope,” Dez said and, using his psychokinetic abilities, yanked Bogey’s cup from his hand and levitated it above the creature’s head, just out of reach.
    “Hey, knock it off!” Bogey cried, jumping on short, stubby legs, trying to reach his floating cup.
    “Knock it off, Dez,” Bram