Read Online Younger Gods 1: The Younger Gods by Michael R. Underwood - Free Book Online
Authors: Michael R. Underwood
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know why I hate being your roommate? Because I had to be. A Greene moves to New York and changes his name, and you thought no one would notice? I should thank you, though. You’re the only reason I got to leave home for school. Except then your psycho sister had to come knocking.”
“You’re still not explaining,” I said.
Carter sighed. “My family serves the true gods: we fight the creatures of the Bold, minions of the Pit. They assigned me to you, to make sure you didn’t go berserk and murder your way across the borough, like Greenes have been known to do.
“Except now your sister is beating you to the punch, so I have to go try to kill her. And it’ll probably get me killed. So either I kill you to get to her, or you get out of my way and let me do what I have to.” Carter passed a hand through his hair. “And I was really liking this whole college life thing, so thanks a bunch for fucking that up.”
“Are you a hunter, then? Do you expect ancient armor and weapons to prevail against eldritch sorcery?”
Carter smiled. I couldn’t tell what kind of smile. Was he glad that I understood the severity of the situation, or happy to have my compassion? “I’ll be fine, Jake. So what’s it going to be?”
“Strangely, I believe that in contrast to our difficulties as roommates, we’re on the same side in this matter. My family are monsters. I broke from the fold. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I have nightmares every night and disturb your sleep.
“I’ve been tracking my sister since I saw notice of the murder in Central Park. I’m working with a woman named Antoinette; she’s the proprietor of Threshold Books in Brooklyn Heights.”
“What, Madame Laroux’s daughter?” Carter asked.
“Good, then you do know her. If you don’t mind waiting, I’ll put some clothes on and we can be on our way.”
“This can still be a trap. So don’t think for a minute that I trust you, Greene.” Carter kept an eye on me as he finished rustling through the closet.
Uninterested in another protracted conversation to prove my loyalty, I dressed quickly, then picked up the supplies I’d acquired from Antoinette and stuffed them in the borrowed satchel.
“I’m ready. Do you think you won’t get stopped walking around with weaponry like that?” I asked, gesturing to his bow, spear, and sword.
“Family secret,” he said, that same grin back again. He looked like a cross between a painting of the Ramayana and a J.Crew subway poster. We were in New York, but surely people’s cultivated disinterest in the lives of their neighbors only went so far.
“Suit yourself.” I double-checked my gemstones and the books. “Shall we?”
Carter chuffed and proceeded out the door. As I turned to follow, the room phone rang.
I took a sidestep and answered, wondering if it was an automated university weather advisory or the like.
“Ahoy ahoy?” I said.
“Jake?” asked the voice.
“Is this Antoinette?”
“Yes. And why did I even bother asking. You’re the only person alive who answers a phone like that.”
“You’ve not met the rest of my family,” I said.
“And I’d prefer to keep it that way, but I don’t think I’ll be so lucky. We need to get into the Theater District of Manhattan by six thirty for a breakfast meeting.”
“Meeting with whom?”
“Someone important. Just get moving.”
“I’ll have someone with me. Apparently you know my roommate, Carter Gadhavi?”
Antoinette coughed. “He’s your roommate?”
“Indeed. It appears my family’s reputation preceded me more extensively than I’d imagined. May he join us?”
She sputtered. “Of course. We could use the muscle.”
“Very well. What is the address?”
Antoinette gave me an address, which I filed away, then hung up.
“We’re to meet Antoinette in the Theater District. What subway should we use?”
“The F to the 7 will be fine.” Carter shook his head. “Are we going to meet the
“You’re still not explaining,” I said.
Carter sighed. “My family serves the true gods: we fight the creatures of the Bold, minions of the Pit. They assigned me to you, to make sure you didn’t go berserk and murder your way across the borough, like Greenes have been known to do.
“Except now your sister is beating you to the punch, so I have to go try to kill her. And it’ll probably get me killed. So either I kill you to get to her, or you get out of my way and let me do what I have to.” Carter passed a hand through his hair. “And I was really liking this whole college life thing, so thanks a bunch for fucking that up.”
“Are you a hunter, then? Do you expect ancient armor and weapons to prevail against eldritch sorcery?”
Carter smiled. I couldn’t tell what kind of smile. Was he glad that I understood the severity of the situation, or happy to have my compassion? “I’ll be fine, Jake. So what’s it going to be?”
“Strangely, I believe that in contrast to our difficulties as roommates, we’re on the same side in this matter. My family are monsters. I broke from the fold. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I have nightmares every night and disturb your sleep.
“I’ve been tracking my sister since I saw notice of the murder in Central Park. I’m working with a woman named Antoinette; she’s the proprietor of Threshold Books in Brooklyn Heights.”
“What, Madame Laroux’s daughter?” Carter asked.
“Good, then you do know her. If you don’t mind waiting, I’ll put some clothes on and we can be on our way.”
“This can still be a trap. So don’t think for a minute that I trust you, Greene.” Carter kept an eye on me as he finished rustling through the closet.
Uninterested in another protracted conversation to prove my loyalty, I dressed quickly, then picked up the supplies I’d acquired from Antoinette and stuffed them in the borrowed satchel.
“I’m ready. Do you think you won’t get stopped walking around with weaponry like that?” I asked, gesturing to his bow, spear, and sword.
“Family secret,” he said, that same grin back again. He looked like a cross between a painting of the Ramayana and a J.Crew subway poster. We were in New York, but surely people’s cultivated disinterest in the lives of their neighbors only went so far.
“Suit yourself.” I double-checked my gemstones and the books. “Shall we?”
Carter chuffed and proceeded out the door. As I turned to follow, the room phone rang.
I took a sidestep and answered, wondering if it was an automated university weather advisory or the like.
“Ahoy ahoy?” I said.
“Jake?” asked the voice.
“Is this Antoinette?”
“Yes. And why did I even bother asking. You’re the only person alive who answers a phone like that.”
“You’ve not met the rest of my family,” I said.
“And I’d prefer to keep it that way, but I don’t think I’ll be so lucky. We need to get into the Theater District of Manhattan by six thirty for a breakfast meeting.”
“Meeting with whom?”
“Someone important. Just get moving.”
“I’ll have someone with me. Apparently you know my roommate, Carter Gadhavi?”
Antoinette coughed. “He’s your roommate?”
“Indeed. It appears my family’s reputation preceded me more extensively than I’d imagined. May he join us?”
She sputtered. “Of course. We could use the muscle.”
“Very well. What is the address?”
Antoinette gave me an address, which I filed away, then hung up.
“We’re to meet Antoinette in the Theater District. What subway should we use?”
“The F to the 7 will be fine.” Carter shook his head. “Are we going to meet the
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