Free Fallen Death (The Trihune Series Book 3) by RB Austin Page B

knives with poison. Victims who managed to escape and receive treatment for blood loss, died from poisoning a few days later.
    The poison was also lethal to Trihune members, though faster acting. Lucas had been hit with one and would’ve died in thirty minutes if Gabe hadn’t acted as fast as he did. Even then it was touch and go. Elias had to drain Lucas completely, then give him his own blood. Lucas made a full recovery, but would always have a scar.
    Sarid glanced once more at the pile of dust that used to be the Fallen. “We’re done here.”
    They walked a block before Gabe called in the ‘mugging’. “So,” he said after tucking his phone away. “What was that?”
    Sarid stilled, then sighed. It was best to get it out in the open, wasn’t it?
    In the past he’d been afraid of his Sept’s reaction. Afraid they might boot him out. Or try to kill him, thus getting injured in the process when the demon retaliated. But his end was near and his brothers deserved to know the truth. It might make things easier if his achs started to hate him. “The Fallen recognized the Other.”
    Gabe’s forehead creased. “Recognized?”
    “Yes.” Sarid had never really spoken about the Other to his achs . Just stated the bare minimum. He’d been cursed. A skull-headed, scaled-body, gorilla-armed monster lived inside him. Sometimes it came out. Liked to kill things. Be careful.
    In his life, less was always more.
    Gabe still looked confused.
    TSTL, remember?
    “Apollyon turns the Followers into Fallen, right?” Sarid said.
    “Yes.”
    “The Fallen would’ve seen Apollyon’s eyes turn red.” Pause. “Just like the Other’s.”
    “How do you know Apollyon’s eyes are red?” Gabe stopped, raised his arm like he was going to reach out to Sarid.
    He twisted out of reach, paused a few feet away.
    Gabe let his hand fall. “Sorry.”
    Sarid dipped his head. His brothers respected Sarid’s—the demon’s—need to keep distant. Touching, even in a non-harsh, family-friendly way wasn’t a good idea.
    “So you,” Gabe continued. “I mean the Other . . . and the Fallen . . .” He trailed off, frowned.
    “The,” Sarid swallowed, “demon—”
    “Demon?” Gabe’s voice rose.
    “Yes. The Other is a demon.”
    “A demon?” Gabe said again. “Like the one who attacked me a few months back? Like the one who kidnapped Emma?” Emma was Cade’s female.
    “Yes. The demon, the one inside me,” Sarid clarified. “Has always recognized the Fallen. Though this was the first time a Fallen identified him back.”
    Gabe’s forehead wrinkled. “And what does your demon want?”
    It was the one question Sarid hoped his brother wouldn’t ask. “In the moment, it wanted to kill the Fallen as much as you or I.” Pause. “Not in the moment, to join them. Hurt Followers. Hurt you and the others.” Another pause. Longer this time. “And to find Apollyon. To work for him.”
    His brother let out a breath. “That is some fucked up shit, ach .” Another sigh. “Has it always been this way?”
    “Yes.”
    He glanced down the darkened street. Began to walk.
    Sarid followed a few steps behind.
    Gabe stopped, spun, eyes narrowed. “Has your demon known where Apollyon was hiding this whole time?”
    “No. It knew no more than we did.”
    “Okay . . . okay,” he said again a few seconds later, then continued walking. A block and a half later, he paused at the curb, motioned for Sarid to draw closer. Once Sarid fell into step with him he spoke, “Cade’s in a holding pattern.”
    Sarid blinked, glanced at his ach out of the corner of his eye.
    “The boss wants to observe and wait. See what Apollyon’s next move will be. Right now, the guy’s done nothing but walk on water. I think he likes the adoration. People are falling to their knees, kissing his feet. The ebheds have been digging for information. There isn’t much. If we attack now, we’d be going in blind. Lucas only recognized the bastard enemy king because