The Red Rider: Book 1 of the Red Rider Saga by D. A. Randall

Author:D. A. Randall [Randall, D. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Character Entertainment
Published: 2020-06-15T00:00:00+00:00

8.

That night I watched the Denues’ house, a comfortable cottage nearly twice the size of my parents’ home, its spacious yard well-lit by the low-hanging moon. I couldn’t help feeling envious, that these people seemed to have so much more than my family ever did, and yet they raised a bully.

I shook off my childish thoughts. No matter who they were or who their son was, they didn’t deserve to die at the hands of the Lycanthru. No one did.

I sat perched in a tree beyond their yard, with a clear view of the front door. I had led Crimson to a quiet spot farther back, hidden behind a cluster of bushes. I could see his position as well, if the wolves found him and caused him any trouble.

I waited for over an hour, watching Monsieur Denue step onto the front porch to relax with a pipe, the way Papa had always done in our front room. I heard Madame Denue cleaning up their supper inside with a clatter of dishes, complaining loudly about something. Perhaps Monsieur Denue smoked less to relax and more to retreat.

Finally I saw Jacque Denue himself shuffle toward his door, his tunic rumpled and dirty, his blond hair unkempt, his marching stride arrogant as he cast long shadows on the yard. Seeing him approach, Monsieur Denue snuffed out his pipe quickly and went inside. Another apparent retreat.

Madame Denue appeared on the porch to lay into Jacque. “Get in here, boy! What do you mean, coming home this time of night?”

“Quit worrying. I was out,” Jacque replied with a dismissive air.

“Out with who?”

“Porthos and Gobin.”

“Those lowlife good-for-nothings! We give you fine clothes and you go brawling in the mud! Look at yourself! And – heavens, where did you get that knife?”

“Found it. Need some extra protection.”

She snorted. “Stole it, you mean! What’ll you do when the owner comes looking for it? You can’t fight off everyone, you know. Jacque! Come back here and look at your mother when she’s speaking to you!”

She followed him inside, then stomped back to shut the front door.

Perhaps the Denues weren’t to blame for Jacque’s cruelty. Perhaps it was just him.

Madame Denue continued to bawl him out inside, seeming to call Monsieur Denue for assistance. I never heard Monsieur Denue’s voice as the angry exchange continued.

At least the Denues weren’t encouraging their son to be cruel. They just weren’t stopping it.

No matter. I had not come for Jacque.

I had come for Grenault.

Two hours later, the last candle went out inside the house and every window went dark beneath the moon and stars.

I expected to wait much longer, but in less than an hour, I saw something dark crawling steadily across the lawn. Joined by another dark form, and another. Stalking toward the house like tigers in the grass.

The Lycanthru.

Four wolves, including a gigantic one that was clearly Grenault. They had only waited long enough to ensure the family had gone to sleep. Grenault was hungry for Madame Leóne’s address.

I waited over a minute, then climbed down.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.