Read Online Mammon by J. B. Thomas - Free Book Online

Something moved in the corner of his eyes; glancing sideways, he saw the truck bearing down on him. His feet felt glued to the ground.
    â€˜Joe!’ Grace’s heartbeat tore through her chest as she watched the truck rush towards him. She broke into a run – but tripped as her foot slid into a deep, uneven dip in the grass. She shrieked as pain exploded in her ankle.
    Through droopy eyelids the truck driver peered at the boy on the road. Recognition came too late. ‘Oh, no!’
    Clouds of grey smoke plumed as brakes locked, the trailer swinging sideways. All Joe could see was a black sheet of metal coming at him, the jackknifing trailer spanning the entire width of road. Even if he moved now . . .
    Mammon took a step forward and raised his arm.
    Joe watched, stunned as the truck slowed . . . like a giant, shadowy hand had slammed against it; shockwaves rippled through the trailer – folding steel as easily as a paper fan. He ducked but twisted his neck to stare up into the underbelly of the trailer as it spun and soared; a terrified, sweaty face stared down at him from the cabin. Then the whole rig tumbled to the ground, smashing into shards of metal and glass that spilled across the road.

‘WELL DONE, MASTER ,’ said Andras.
    Sparks of residual energy filled the room as Mammon lowered his arm and watched the boy stumbling around on the road, his face white with shock. He could taste it now – the nearness of the boy, this new Ferryman. ‘You were too slow there, Zagan.’
    The young demon swallowed hard. ‘I’m sorry, Master.’
    Joe stood up slowly, the tremble in his fingers too strong to even grasp the handlebars of Serena’s bike. He could only stare at the destroyed truck, watch the neighbours emerge in a flurry of voices. And Serena – where had she gone?
    He turned to see his father’s grim face. Silently, Dad seized Joe’s arm and hurried the staggering boy across the road. He shoved Joe towards the door. ‘Inside! Now!’ He waited until Joe was safely inside and then looked down at his daughter. ‘Get up, Grace.’
    â€˜I’ve sprained my ankle.’ She was rocking back and forth, holding her foot.
    Dad reached down and slid his hands under Grace’s armpits, lifting her.
    Blinking back tears, Grace let Dad guide her through the front door, where Mum stood wrapped in a robe, the blood drained from her face. She had Joe in a tight hug. Joe drew away and turned to look at his father.
    Dad reached out and grabbed Joe, pulling him into a swift, crushing embrace and then held him at arm’s length. ‘What did I tell you about going outside, son?’ His eyes were harsh.
    â€˜But there was an accident . . .’
    â€˜I don’t care! You don’t leave the property!’ Dad shook Joe. ‘Out there – on the road – you weren’t protected. Anyone could’ve got you.’
    Joe gasped, wrenching himself away. ‘But no-one did.’
    Dad shook his head. With a hiss, he jerked forward, pulling Joe to the window. ‘You don’t get it. The EMF only runs so far.’ Deep below, a series of electromagnetic cables formed a protective barrier around the house. ‘I told you this last night.’
    Joe stared out at the yard. ‘I didn’t think, Dad.’
    â€˜No, you didn’t.’
    Grace felt herself sway. The shock – the near miss with the truck and the pain in her ankle was overwhelming. ‘Mum,’ she whimpered.
    Her mother glanced down at the injured ankle, then she turned and headed into the kitchen.
    Joe stood at the window, arms folded. ‘I don’t even know if the driver is alive.’ He watched the crowd gather, tried to ignore the creeping chill that was clinging to the back of his neck; the cold sweat lining his back. What just happened? Against all laws of gravity . . . who or what could do that? He tensed his fingers, still