Read Online The Belial Origins by R. D. Brady - Free Book Online Page B

just like she remembered.
    “Well, Kati, Max, and I are heading back to the cottage. Max said he wants to take a nap,” Maddox said.
    “Really? He usually fights tooth and nail to avoid a nap. Is he getting sick?”
    Maddox shrugged. “I’m not sure. He’s been having some trouble sleeping at night.”
    “Why?”
    “Nightmares.”
    Laney felt pressure in her chest. Damn it.
    Pain crossed Maddox’s face as well. Laney knew that Maddox would do whatever he could to protect Max. But he couldn’t protect him from his own subconscious. And Max had been through more trauma than any little boy should ever have to bear.
    Maddox shook off his concern. “But we’ll put him down for a nap and see how he’s doing when he gets up. See you later?”
    “Yeah. See you later,” Laney echoed as Maddox turned to leave.
    Goodbye, Laney. Max’s words floated through her mind, and a chill ran down her spine. She shrugged it off. Max was fine. He was with Kati and Maddox and on the estate. No one would be able to get to Max, because everyone on the estate would fight to the death to keep him safe.
    Laney turned back to the books. So why do I feel so worried?
    She lined up the journals on the desk. She had about four more to read, but she was pretty sure her uncle had already read those. She thought back on their conversation from this morning.
    It wasn’t possible, was it? Her mind twisted the information they had learned, pulling it this way and that, looking for an alternative. But nothing came.
    Her stomach growled, and she shook her head, clearing it. Okay. Food—then back to work.
    She stood up and stretched. She’d been at it since yesterday, only taking time off to sleep, and even that had been more just resting her eyelids than actually sleeping.
    Guilt at her inability to find Victoria weighed her down. They had yet to find even a single lead. They had traced the SUVs that had been used in Maine, but they had all been stolen just before the abduction. There had been no ransom demands. No sign of either Ralph or Victoria. Jen had even paid the head of the Council another visit. But they all agreed he wasn’t behind this; he was too scared of Henry and Jen to do anything this gutsy.
    And of course they’d tried to find Jorgen Fuld—but he’d dropped off the grid again. They knew Jorgen had taken Victoria.
    Laney frowned. Which makes no sense . Jorgen seemed to be very good at hiding himself. So why had he stuck his head out so blatantly to get Victoria? It’s almost like he wants us to find him. Or at least wants us to know he has her.
    Laney shook her head and picked up one of the journals, then headed to Dom’s kitchen. She didn’t feel hungry, but she knew she needed to keep her strength up. Lord knows I’ll probably be sprinting across a parking lot soon, avoiding gunfire in some town I’ve never heard of.
    Laney had just finished warming up some meatloaf when the bomb shelter blast door beeped. She pulled the hot plate out of the microwave and had just placed it on the counter when Henry and Jake appeared.
    They made their way over to Laney and eyed her plate.
    “Any chance there’s more of that?” Henry asked.
    Laney noted that a little color had returned to Henry’s cheeks. She nodded. “I think I could rustle up a couple more plates.”
    Jake hugged her. “I’ve got a woman who cooks. I’m a lucky man.”
    She hugged him back. “You’ve got a woman who microwaves. Be content.”
    Henry and Jake got the drinks and silverware together, and Laney warmed up three more servings, just in case anyone else showed up. Sure enough, as soon as they sat down, Dom appeared. And for a few moments, everything was normal. Just a family having a meal together. By unwritten agreement, no one mentioned Victoria.
    Finally, the dishes were cleared away and Dom disappeared back into his lab. “Anything new?” Laney asked.
    Henry shook his head. “No, not really. Both the Fallen and Jorgen have gone to ground. Of