Free Shadow Light (Beautiful Beings #3) by Kailin Gow Page A

his head toward us.
    As he stood, the fair-haired man seemed intent on avoiding my gaze.  I swallowed the sudden sense of self consciousness that came over me.  I'd often felt uncomfortable under intense scrutiny and detested having anyone stare boldly at me, but something in the way he avoided me... it touched an odd chord inside.
    "My name is John," he said.  His full height was impressive and I could now see that he wasn't portly, but built like a bulldozer.  His arms were thick and muscular, even through the tight button up shirt.  His massive chest stretched the shirt taunt.
    "I sent an email to one of you," Brax said.  "Which one of you is Shadowlight?"
    Markus went to stand beside John and Gordon.  "We are," they said in unison.
    Brax glanced back at us, a frown of frustration and confusion on his brow.  "What?" he said as he turned back to the threesome.  Shadowlight isn't just one person?"
    "No," Markus said.  "It's all of us.  We form Shadow Light, along with your uncle, Dr. Kingsley."
    "And what, exactly, is Shadow Light?" I asked as I stepped forward.  We'd wasted enough time and I was anxious to get to the point.  For the past few hours we’d heard nothing but the idle ramblings of an older Englishman and I now wanted answers; real answers.
    Gordon and John exchanged annoyed glances then looked at Asher and me.
    "If anyone should know, it would be the two of you," Gordon said.
    "So I assume it has something to do with angels, then," Asher said.
    Gordon nodded.  "Yes. Shadow Light is the light and energy source of angels.  The light takes away the shadows.  Or, if you prefer, it's an allegory for demon slayers blessed by sight and aided by angels who take away the darkness... the shadows."
    I glanced at Asher and could see he'd never heard of such a thing.  Turning back to the men, I said, "So, does that mean that you're demon slayers and not angel?"
    "That's right," Gordon said.  He clasped his hands in front of him, giving him a more academic look than he'd already had.
    "And can you help us find what we need to do to close the gates that have been opened in San Francisco?"
    Gordon looked to John and Markus before answering.  "Yes."
    "And what about the curse that's been put on Moore and Braxton?"
    "There are as many curses as there are lost souls.  It depends on the nature of the curse.  Do you know what curse it is that they live with?"
    "They're both turning into demons.  It was a slow transformation at first, but since the portal's been opened, the change has been coming surprisingly fast.  That's why we came out to find you guys.  Do you think you can help them?"
     All three men looked at each other, as though a silence conference was quickly being held between them.  Eyes narrowed, lips tensed and all three gave a barely perceptible nod.  Without more warning than that, Markus and Gordon charged Brax, while John turned his attention to Moore.  All brandished their crucifixes and for a frightening moment, I froze.
    "Hey," Asher shouted, springing me into action.
    I hurried to step between John and Moore, while Asher quickly moved in to block Gordon and Markus from Braxton.
    "What are you guys doing?" I blurted out.  "I thought you said you could help rid them of the curse."
    "We can," John said, his crucifix still held up and ready to slay.  "By slaying them."
    "Are you crazy?" I shouted.  "That's not what we came here for."  Maintaining my fighting stance, I turned my angry gaze to Markus.  "I thought you were bringing us here to help us, not slay my friends."
     
     

 
     
    Chapter 10
     
    Drop of Truth
     
     
    T he determination in their eyes was intimidating.  Despite my years of experience, despite the hundreds of situations I’d been in over the years and the thousands of demons I’d slain, I felt small and out of my league before these demon-slaying men of age and wisdom.
    How long had these guys been at it?  How many slain demons did they have under their