Epoch by Timothy Carter Page B

the elf’s legs. It swayed like a branch in the wind, but nothing more.
    “Check his breathing,” Nod said. “Bet you anything he’s faking it.”
    Vincent licked his finger and held it in front of Grimbowl’s nose. He felt air on his finger, and then he felt teeth.
    “Ow!” he cried, yanking his finger out of Grimbowl’s mouth.
    “You are all in big trouble now,” the elf said. “I just went and got help. My entire tribe will be here in five minutes to rescue me.”
    “You didn’t go anywhere,” Vincent pointed out as he rubbed his finger. “You’ve been right here the whole time.”
    “Ever hear of astral projection?” Grimbowl said. “We elves are experts.”
    “Really?” Vincent said, raising an eyebrow.
    “Is that so?” Nod said as he climbed out of the pocket. “Well, when I’m done with you, your astral body’ll be all that’s left of … ”
    “Nod! Stay in my pocket,” Chanteuse said, grabbing him and pushing him back. “You won’t be cloaked if you come out.”
    “Cloaked from what?” Grimbowl asked.
    “None of your business,” Vincent shot back.
    “Because if that’s a magical cloak,” Grimbowl went on, “then it won’t work in a ward-protected house, will it?”
    Vincent, Chanteuse, and Nod stared at the elf and said, “What?”
    Then Vincent and Chanteuse looked at each other, then down at Nod.
    “Oh, no,” the pixie said.
    “So what was it supposed to cloak him from?” Grimbowl asked.
    A moment later, he found out.

With a loud crash, the three demons burst through the living room window into Chanteuse’s house. Bix led them, and he looked very pleased.
    “Well, well, what a feast we have here!” he said, looking from Nod to Grimbowl.
    “Ulp,” said Nod.
    “Demons!” screamed Grimbowl. “Letmegoletmegoletmego!”
    “Demons?” said Max. “But all of you are ... ”
    “Not now, Max,” Vincent said.
    Miss Sloam dropped the elf and sized up the new intruders. Vincent guessed that she, like her daughter, had seen a lot of strange creatures in her time. Judging from the look on her face, however, these winged, round monsters were something new.
    “Get out of my house,” she said.
    The demons ignored her and charged. Two of them made a beeline for Nod, who scrambled out of Chanteuse’s apron and took flight. The third demon veered off and followed the fleeing Grimbowl.
    Chanteuse’s mother swung a fist and pounded the demon full in the face. Vincent kicked up with his left leg and nailed Bix under the chin. The last demon pushed past Max and lunged at Nod.
    “Stop!” Chanteuse cried, throwing herself in its path. The demon shoved her aside, scratching her with its claws as it did so. Chanteuse yelped and fell back, blood seeping from cuts on her arm and shoulder.
    “What the … ” the demon said, looking from its claws to Chanteuse’s wounds.
    “What the … ” Vincent said as he stood up. “Shouldn’t you be howling in pain?”
    Bix, who had bounced off the ceiling, took in the situation and smiled.
    “My magic wards … ” Chanteuse said.
    Vincent felt a sick feeling of doom. He looked at Bix, and realized the demon knew it, too.
    “Open season, boys!” Bix said, and charged. He slammed into Vincent’s chest, knocking him backward into the kitchen.
    Vincent gasped, out of breath and drowning in pain. His chest had just started to heal, but now it felt like he’d been smashed open. He lay helplessly on the kitchen floor as Bix exposed his teeth and dropped onto him.
    “No!” cried Max, leaping forward and knocking the demon away. He landed squarely on his brother’s chest, and Vincent wished he could die right then.
    Chanteuse screamed. Max and Vincent looked up and saw her mother grabbing hold of one demon while holding another under her foot.
    “Those are demons?” Max asked as he climbed off his brother.
    “Uuugh … ” Vincent replied.
    “Then what are the others?” Max asked.
    “Uunng … ” Vincent replied.
    Bix recovered