Read Online Demons in My Driveway by R.L. Naquin - Free Book Online

her eyelashes and trying to get Maurice to notice her.
    Despite Stacy’s best efforts, Maurice remained oblivious.
    I didn’t want to get involved, but the Stacy/Maurice/Sara triangle was looking pretty firm from where I stood.
    I returned my attention to the portal hanging in midair a few yards away from my front door.
    “What do we do about that?” I asked.
    Darius squatted on the porch steps. “We keep someone on guard at all times until we figure out where it goes. I’ll take the first watch.”
    “The O.G.R.E.s are on their way,” Kam said. “I know the religious nuts are gone, but it seems like we probably should have help with this thing too.” She gestured at the portal. “Somebody should know about it, anyway.”
    I sighed. “I’ll let Bernice know. If Wales has one of these things and so do we, I’m guessing there are others. We’d better find out.”
    * * *
    The Oversight and General Rule Enforcement (O.G.R.E.) squad showed up about a half hour later, led by a blond, blue-eyed pretty boy I disliked instantly. Not a problem. Kam liked him plenty for both of us.
    He introduced himself as Lionel, and bowed low over my hand as if we were at a ball in a royal court. His hand was clammy, and I resisted the urge to wipe mine on my shirt once he let go. I was wearing my Smurf shirt, and I didn’t want Smurfette polluted with new guy’s sweat.
    “It’s an honor to meet you.” His voice flowed thick and sweet, like dripping honey. “Word of your deeds has spread across the country.”
    For no reason at all, Kam giggled and tossed her ponytail over her shoulder. I gave her the stink-eye.
    There was absolutely nothing wrong with this guy—not that I could put my finger on, anyway. But he felt wrong. Dishonest, somehow.
    Artificial.
    Dimples flashed in his cheeks as he spoke, and his hair feathered forward around his face in that fussy, Justin Bieber look that used to be popular.
    “So, here’s what we’re going to do,” he said, gesturing to a tree sprite and two dwarfs. “My people will be watching this thing at all times. If you want one of your guys on it too, I won’t object. For now, though, I think that would be a waste of manpower. If something comes out, we want everyone to be as rested as possible, in case we have to take it down. Don’t you agree?”
    Kam nodded so fast and hard, she looked like a bobblehead.
    The skin on Lionel’s face fascinated me. It shifted as he spoke—not a lot, but enough for me to notice, as if the muscles weren’t attached to the skin or rippling fluids ran beneath the surface in tiny waves.
    “Aegis?” he said. “Ma’am?”
    At twenty-nine, no woman wants to be called ma’am. My attention refocused. “I’m sorry, what?”
    He restated his plan to have his team keep watch until something happened. I’d heard him the first time, but I couldn’t stop trying to figure out his face—his oddly beautiful, yet disturbing face.
    The folks in the Hidden world took for granted that they, in general, recognized each other for what they were. As a human, I often found myself in the awkward position of not knowing what sort of creature I was dealing with. Sometimes it didn’t matter. Other times—like this—I had to know or I wouldn’t be able to function until I figured it out.
    I opened my mouth to ask, but one of the dwarfs approached, grumbling into his beard.
    “Boss, we’ve got too many people standing around. If something dangerous comes charging out, there’s no room to maneuver.”
    Lionel nodded. “You’re right. Ma’am, could you have your people clear out, please? Leave one, if you like, but Salgo’s right. We need to keep a clear perimeter.”
    Darius and I exchanged a look, then he nodded. I tugged Kam’s sleeve and led her up the porch steps and into the house, with Riley following.
    Once we got inside, I turned on Kam. “What do you know about that guy?”
    She shrugged. “I met him a few months ago when I was passing through