Read Online Alexander Death (The Paranormals, Book 3) by JL Bryan - Free Book Online

feet of anyone who tried to climb over.
    Manuel unlocked the sheet-metal gate and pushed both doors open on rusty, screeching hinges. He drove the Jeep through, then hopped out again to lock the gate behind them.
    They were on a paved path now, though many of the paving stones were missing, leaving empty sockets of water and mud. Ahead, Jenny saw a few buildings made of adobe, and a sprawling two-story main house made of stone, with balconies, staircases and chimneys jutting out here and there. The place looked almost medieval to Jenny. Candles burned all over the exterior of the house, outlining balconies, windows and doorways like strings of Christmas lights.
    A low one-story cottage sat beside the main house, and a barn, and then the remains of another adobe building with a collapsed roof and hollow doorways.
    “Welcome to Casa del Fuego ,” Alexander said. He jumped out of the Jeep and offered his hand, but she didn't take it as she climbed down. She was feeling numb from the long, fast, jarring drive, and maybe from the painkillers, too.
    “Is this where we're staying?” Jenny asked.
    “This is my place,” Alexander said. “Nice, secluded, with strong ocean air to invigorate the mind. Can you smell the salt in the air?” He closed his eyes, and she studied his face in the moonlight. He looked so much younger when his eyes were closed.
    “I think I can hear the ocean,” Jenny said. Waves crashed somewhere beyond the house.
    “You can hear it all night,” Alexander said. “There's no sound more peaceful. Let me show you around.” He led her toward the house, across an unkempt yard full of tropical wildflowers. Behind them, Manuel drove the Jeep into the barn.
    They walked up three steps to the front door, which was made of heavy hardwood and reinforced with thick metal bands. Jenny noticed that the windows on the first floor were all barred.
    “This is really your house?” Jenny asked. “Do you always keep candles burning everywhere?”
    “We might have dressed it up a little for you.” He grinned.
    The front door opened for them. A short, dark man in fatigues and a T-shirt stood inside. An AK-47 assault rifle was strapped to his back. He gave a huge smile and stood aside for them to enter.
    “Iztali,” Alexander said to the man, “This is Jenny.”
    “Jenny.” Iztali smiled again and nodded his head slightly. “ La bruja ?” he asked Alexander.
    “ Si, ” Alexander replied.
    Jenny smiled back at him as she passed. He closed the door behind them, then crossed his arms and remained beside it.
    Three more people, a young man who resembled Iztali, a gray-haired woman, and a young woman who might have been Jenny's age, stood in the front hall. The arched space was illuminated by more candlelight and glass lanterns set into wall niches. The house did have electric lights, but they were all turned off.
    “Yochi, Noonsa, Kisa,” Alexander said to them. He spoke a few words in a language Jenny didn't recognize—it didn't even sound like Spanish to her. Or French, which Jenny had taken in high school to avoid the risk of Spanish class with Ashleigh Goodling.
    “Jenny,” Alexander said, putting his arm around her. They nodded to her, and the young, darkhaired woman smiled.
    “Jenny, this is Yochi.” Alexander indicated the young man, and Jenny noticed the machine pistol holstered at his belt. “He helps with a few things around here. Like security.”
    “Nice to meet you,” Jenny said, but the man didn't respond.
    “And this is Yochi's aunt, Noonsa, and his sister Kisa,” Alexander said, introducing the two women. “They keep us from falling into barbarism. Kisa has your room prepared for you. And some clothes she bought for you.”
    “Wow, thanks!” Jenny said.
    “Hungry?” Kisa said to Jenny, and she pointed at Jenny's stomach.
    “No, I'm fine, but thanks,” Jenny said.
    “You sleep?” Kisa asked. “You bath?”
    “She's offering to run a bath for you,” Alexander said. “Kisa's