Read Online Barcode: Cavern of Youth by Kashif Ross - Free Book Online Page B

clutches my throat and draws me out of the water. With one swift motion, the shadow throws me against a stone on the shore.
    Though I’m free of the burning water that wanted to stop me from ever having kids, I now face a bigger threat.
    Even if I weren’t bite-sized, the fearsome man would still stand two heads above me. He probably weighs five hundred pounds and should definitely lay off the fried shark, because his belly is massive.
    Removing me from the wall, he scrutinizes my face. I’m still trying to stop the ringing in my ears and breathe through the hand wrapped around my neck. I’d open my eyes, if I weren’t in this unbearable pain.
    The brute smashes me into the ground and the back of my head explodes. I feel blood pouring from it. My spine is severed and exposed, but I’m not dying, yet. For some reason, I can’t.
    “Who the hell are you?” The words feel like a thousand fists smashing into my face, one after another. I cough up a heap of blood, and he mumbles, “Black?”
    Blue-Skin dashes from the dark with a woman as attractive as him—meaning ugly. “Hades. That’s Kode.”
    “Okodemah? Oh, I’m sorry little one. They didn’t tell me we’d have such an honorable guest. Come here buddy.” Hades grabs my boot and flings me into the water. I smash against the surface, hard. “Stop doing that to him sweetheart. Let him have a sip. I’ve told you about Okodemah a million times.”
    The water flashes a bright gold. I assume that’s her way of saying, No.
    “Now you listen clearly,” he continues, “he has as much right to be here as any. Open up your arms or deal with The Writer yourself.”
    The water glows blue then drowns me. Within seconds, she pulls me down thousands of feet, and I hear Hades’ powerful voice yell, “You know who he is, so spit him out. Now!”
    She complies. Instantly, I’m pushed and pulled through the water with incredible force. Once she rejects me, I fly to the cavern’s roof and fall towards Hades.
    I release a vehement shock wave that knocks the others into the walls. As they recover, I observe my arms and legs. I’ve grown an inch or two, and my wounds are healed.
    “It seems she was playing a practical joke on you,” Hades laughs with his vicious voice. It doesn’t bother me as much anymore. Why not? “She liked you more than I assumed. I’ve never seen her heal anyone that much.”
    “Who is she?” I ask so clearly that I shock myself. My voice no longer sounds weak or broken.
    “Well, I treat them as one, but they’re the Daughters of Danaus. Crazy with practical jokes. Should see what they did to their husbands. I have all fifty on video, if you want to take a peep.”
    “I’m good.”
    “What are you doing here? And is that the Seal of Solomon?” Hades rushes to me and binds both of my arms to my torso. This time, I have the strength to push him off. “Look at that. So you were actually able to release the Hysminai. They will train you well. Believe me.”
    Blue-Skin interrupts by timidly saying, “Master.”
    “You,” Hades growls. “I was prepared to drag him to the shadows. Why didn’t you tell me you were bringing Okodemah?”
    “I was on my way, but the girls grabbed his foot. I went to retrieve a Charon.”
    “Your girlfriend?” I ask.
    Both of their skin colors turn red.
    “No. Nothing like that.”
    “Stop being a wimp and ask her out. I don’t have any advice on how to get it done, but you can’t be scared forever.” I slap Hades on the arm. He doesn’t even notice, but my hand throbs horribly. “Now, where’s the fog I need to breathe?”
    “Is that why you’re here? To learn how to use the fog?” Hades asks.
    The Charon and Blue-Skin turn yellow and smile at each other. Then Blue-Skin says, “Yes. The bandages are sapping too much of his strength. I want him to know how to breathe the mist.”
    “So he can protect you?”
    “Essentially.”
    “That’s a bit boring. I thought you were here to see