Free Los Nefilim Book 4 by T. Frohock Page A

held out his stuffed horse to the golem. “I’m sorry you’re ugly and have to die for me. This is Aurelius. He is my friend. Hold him and he will comfort you.” He tucked the stuffed horse into the crook of the golem’s arm.
    The golem snuffled at the horse’s mane and rewarded Rafael with a grimace that Diago assumed was supposed to be a smile.
    Rafael reached into his pocket and withdrew Candela’s teardrop. He clenched it in his fist and glanced at the stairwell. “Did you mean it when you said I could live with you?”
    Diago didn’t have to think about his answer. “Yes. I promise.”
    Rafael nodded and twisted Diago’s finger until Diago got the hint. Rafael pressed the tear in the center of Diago’s palm. “Hold still,” he said.
    Miquel craned his neck to see what was happening.
    â€œMamá said, ‘ Gólpe, gólpe, vuelta .’ ”
    . . . strike, strike, turn. . .
    Rafael tapped the teardrop twice with his index finger before turning it clockwise. At first, nothing happened. Keenly aware of the time, Diago almost pulled away. Then the teardrop pulsed against his skin. Any thoughts of withdrawing from Rafael’s touch left him. Golden light swirled up from the depths of the stone and became the veins of color within an angel’s eye.
    The teardrop split neatly in half, like a pair of carmine eyes. Diago half expected them to magically twinkle with Candela’s mischief. Rafael hummed a mellow note. His aura passed through his lips in shades of green and amber. The breath of his magic swirled around the ruby eyes and became a small golden snake.
    Rafael kissed his finger and pressed it to the snake’s head. “Watch over my papa.”
    The snake slithered up Diago’s arm to encircle his throat before it tickled his neck and coiled behind his ear. He felt the soft scales against his skin and realized this tiny spell didn’t have the sophistication of Candela’s magic, but Rafael’s enchantment didn’t need that level of refinement. He wasn’t trying to deceive or lure Diago into acting against his will. This was a friend to carry, much like he had given up Aurelius to comfort the golem.
    Impulsively, Rafael threw his arms around Diago’s neck and kissed his cheek. Diago felt the warmth of a child he barely knew touch his soul, and that gave him the courage he needed to pick up the golem and stand.
    Rafael hugged Diago’s coat around him and returned to the far wall where he squatted with his back to the cold concrete. He gave Diago a small hesitant wave.
    If we survive this, I’ll do the best I can by you. I swear it. Diago returned Rafael’s shy wave with one of his own, before he and Miquel descended back down to the sewer.
    The thin slats that formed the golem’s legs bounced limply against Diago’s thigh. One of the shoes fell off. Miquel quickly reattached it and made sure the laces were knotted more firmly.
    The golem was heavier than the sticks and clothes made it appear. Miquel had given it weight in order to fool Moloch, but it also meant the thing would be a burden to carry.
    At the door, Miquel held the golem while Diago slipped through first. Miquel passed the creature back to Diago, who stood and gazed down the lit passageway again.
    Miquel joined him on the walkway. He scanned the filth and discarded toys with contempt. “Moloch must lure them somehow. Look.” He nudged a porcelain doll’s head with his foot; the painted face wept tears of mud. “I haven’t seen one of those since the sixteenth century.” He glared down the tunnel. “How long has he been down here?”
    â€œWant me to ask him?”
    â€œDon’t be an asshole.” Miquel turned back to Diago and caressed his ear where Rafael’s snake curled around his earlobe. “I’m not worried, you know.”
    â€œI’m glad one of us