“I guess evil is as good a word as any,” Roy said, “since what they seem to be after is the opposite of what I consider good and right.”
“Or maybe it’s just a natural order of things,” Steven said. “Does an antelope consider a lion to be evil?”
“Of course not,” Roy said. “You’re taking this too far. An antelope considers a lion to be dangerous.”
“But not because it was taught that,” Steven said. “It just knows. Instinct. That’s what this is. It felt more powerful than any other instinct I’ve ever had.”
“So what are you saying?” Roy said. “You think there’s something dangerous in her house?”
“Yes, I do,” Steven said. “It may well be haunted. So was my home, here, before you helped me get rid of Lukas. I wouldn’t be surprised to find ghosts there. But there’s something that’s worse than Mason Manor, or the Unser House, in her home. I felt it.”
“I wish you had more to go on,” Roy said. “Since I didn’t feel it, I can’t really relate.”
“I think we should help her,” Steven said. “Even if it means a pause in our book deliveries. I think she’s worse off than she knows. I think her daughter and grandson are in danger, too.”
Roy looked at Steven, slightly skeptical. “You seem very sure of yourself,” Roy said. “I have no problem stopping to help her. But the thing I wonder is, are you ready? You’re far more impressionable by this ‘evil’ than I am, apparently. Are you sure you want to jump in, wherever it might lead?”
“I think so,” Steven said, seeing the last drips from the coffee pot and removing it to pour himself and his father a mug. “I think we have to. I’m not sure what else I’m supposed to do when I learn that someone’s life is at risk.”
“It’s as bad as that?” Roy asked.
“Yes, I think it is,” Steven said, sipping his coffee. “And I can’t shake it. The more I think about it, the more convinced I become. If we don’t help them, one or all of them could die.”
“Alright then,” Roy said, “we’ll do it. Let’s call her back.”
◊
This has been a complimentary first chapter of the next book in The River series,
The Suicide Forest
Enjoy the rest of the novel by downloading your complete copy from Amazon.com!
Eximere (The River Book 4) Page 23
