Sinister Seraphim of Mine (Overworld Chronicles Book 8) Read Online Free Page B

shield into a mirror surface, but the second orb demolished the barrier. Elyssa dove away. I tried to channel a new shield, but wasn't fast enough.
    The orb hit the ground at my feet and the concussive wave flung me against a tree.
    I staggered to my feet as a fresh volley of orbs exploded all around us. I managed another shield, but it cracked like the last one.
    "Run!" I shouted.
    We ran for our lives. Explosions blasted trees from the ground. Dirt rained down on us. The ground shook from each impact.
    "Justin!" Elyssa grabbed my arm, jerked me sideways. We ducked into the thick foliage bordering the fence, dodging Daelissa's attacks. I stumbled over a still form.
    Jeremiah .
    He was either unconscious or dead. I didn't have time to check. I slung him over a shoulder and ran for the road.
    "Shelton, we need a portal ASAP!" Elyssa yelled into her arcphone.
    A solid beam of white raked across the treetops, slicing them off. We dodged falling trunks and raced for the road. The front yard was huge and the landscaping was designed to block the view from the road. If we'd been racing across open ground, Daelissa would have cut us down.
    Pulsating white light burned a furrow in the ground to our left. We found the winding driveway and ran down it, finally reaching the sturdy main gates. Elyssa snapped a picture.
    "Now, Shelton, now!" she yelled.
    Deadly lightning fell from the sky leaving black pockmarks where it hit. I looked up and saw Daelissa levitating overhead. Her eyes flashed as she spotted her quarry. Mustering every ounce of energy I had, I punched a fist skyward and sent a beam of Murk slamming into the angel's midriff.
    Her mouth opened in a hoarse scream as she spun backwards. Elyssa grabbed my arm and jerked me forward. I stumbled into the cellar of the mansion, disoriented for a second since I hadn't realized the gateway was open. The portal flashed shut behind us. My knees turned to jelly, and I dropped to the floor. Jeremiah's body rolled off my shoulder.
    "Holy Moses," Shelton said, jumping back from the body.
    "You don't know how right you are," Elyssa said, leaning over and panting.
    I touched Jeremiah's neck. He felt warm. "I think he's still alive."
    "Who the hell is that?" Shelton said.
    "Jeremiah Conroy," I replied.
    His forehead scrunched. "But he looks so young. His skin and hair are darker, his face looks different—"
    "Because the old man look was all an act," I said.
    Reality seemed to slap Shelton upside the head. He staggered back. "You kidnapped old man Conroy? You two are out of your ever-loving minds. How the hell did you pull it off?"
    "We didn't kidnap him," I said, struggling to my feet. "We rescued him from Daelissa."
    "You what?" Shelton's mouth hung open. "Why didn't you let them finish each other off?"
    "Because," Elyssa said, through deep breaths. "His real name isn't Jeremiah Conroy. It's Moses."
    For once in his life, Harry Shelton didn't seem to have a response. His mouth moved a couple of times. Instead of speaking, he simply turned around and walked up the stairs. Elyssa and I exchanged confused looks. I slung Jeremiah over my shoulder and climbed up the stairs after Shelton with Elyssa close behind me.
    Once upstairs, I laid Jeremiah on the couch in the den.
    "Maybe we should call Meghan," Shelton said.
    I shook my head. "I don't think he's seriously injured."
    Shelton leaned over the man. "I still don't see the resemblance to Jeremiah. You sure this is him?"
    "We saw him change before our eyes," Elyssa said. "And it's not the first time."
    "Impossible." Shelton shook his head. "Arcanes can't reshape their faces or change the color of their skin. They can use illusion, but it's not solid."
    "Elyssa and I saw him change." I knelt next to Jeremiah and pressed fingers against his neck. The pulse felt strong. "Maybe it was all illusion."
    "Well, he is the first Arcane," Shelton said. "For all I know he can whistle Dixie out of his butthole." He released a long breath. "Wow. I'm in the