Read Online The Firstborn by Conlan Brown - Free Book Online

paranoid. He’s one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood. Privilege leads to the fear of loss—”
    “And that leads to paranoia?”
    “Exactly.”
    John looked around at the balcony, resting his hand on the marbled railing. “Of course you wouldn’t know anything about possession.”
    “You don’t have to be sarcastic,” Vincent groaned. “How many of your mission trips have I funded now?”
    John furrowed his brow skeptically. “What are you getting at, V?”
    “I’m just saying you haven’t held a real job in, what? Six years? You’re in a new country every eight weeks or so.”
    “Making the world a better place,” John interjected, trying not to sound defensive.
    “Whatever,” Vincent shrugged. “I’m just saying that you owe me.”
    “I’m sure that statement earns you treasure in heaven.”
    Vincent groaned again.
    “I guess you’re right,” John said. “What do you want?”
    “San Antonio,” he replied flatly. “We want you to go to San Antonio to help represent the Ora.”
    John blinked. “You and I both know that I have a really bad reputation through the entire Firstborn, ever since Trista—”
    “That doesn’t matter.”
    “Clay doesn’t even like me. Why would he send me as a representative of the Ora?”
    Vincent spread his hands calmingly. “Don’t ask me, but pretty much everybody else is afraid to go.”
    “Why?”
    “Something scary is going on.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Did you hear about that imam who was murdered?”
    John shook his head. “I just got back from Central America this morning.”
    “Somebody murdered an Islamic holy man, and Clay thinks it was one of the Firstborn who did it.”
    “What?” John asked, confused. “Why would any of the Firstborn do something like that?”
    “Don’t ask me, but he’s scared,” Vincent said intently. “That’s why we need strong, centralized leadership. Lone gunmen are dangerous for everybody—especially the Ora. The Firstborn have got to come together.”
    “Do you mean Overseer?”
    “Yes,” Vincent said with a nod. “Overseer will bring an end to the factions and to murder.”
    “That’s still speculation.”
    “Either way, we’re pretty sure it’s the only way to ensure the continued safety of the Ora.”
    John sighed. “So he needs somebody to show up because Clay’s paranoid?”
    “Pretty much.”
    John fumed inwardly. “OK,” he said after a moment. “When do I go?”
    “Next week.”
    John considered. “Do you think Trista will be there?”
    “Get over her, John,” Vincent rebuked. “She belongs to the Domani. It was never meant to be.”
    John took another sip of his drink. “I guess you’re right.”

    The guest bedroom was bigger than any John had ever stayed in. It was also nicer than what most Americans were used to, and a monumental leap over the conditions he’d grown accustomed to in Central America for the last six weeks.
    He sat on the edge of the bed and felt his body sink into the soft cushion. A wave of comfort moved up his body. John lay back, the tense muscles feeling as if they were popping as they released against the soft fabric.
    John lay for a moment, staring at the ceiling. He needed to call his mother.
    “Hey, Vince?” he called down the hall.
    “Yeah?” a voice called back.
    “Can I make a long-distance phone call?”
    “Sure. There’s a phone next to the bed in there,” Vincent called back.
    “Thanks.”
    John sat up, his softening back protesting as it lifted from the comfortable mattress. He lifted the receiver from the cradle and dialed the number by heart. His mother always wanted to hear from him when he got back into the country. Sometimes it was to hear about his trip; other times it was simply to make sure he was safe.
    John had resented the thought that he was a mama’s boy for a long time, but now that he was older, he seemed to understand her more.
    She had grown up in a small California town, a small-town beauty queen. The