Broken (28 page)

He reserved his opinion, yet his lips formed a smug
curve.

“I am a politician, and have attained this position by
learning how to read people and their motives. I am sure you have
heard otherwise, but give me more credit than that. I am the second
woman to sit in this position since the Shift ripped the world
apart. It has not been an easy road. Now,” she said, sizing
him up. “I want your truth.”

“Why have you come all this way? Cardinal Aloysius, in
all his wisdom, saw fit to have me removed to this place where only
some patient brethren would ignore my words. Then, when he knew you
were coming to the very place he banished me, he had me placed in
the furthest depths of the monastery.”

She held her hand aloft and mouthed an incantation he did not
hear. The doors and shutters swung closed. Scars were made visible
as her sleeve slithered down her pale arm. They were old
wounds.

Bloodcraft.

The Pope lowered her arm and adjusted her sleeve with a curt
tug. For the briefest hint of a moment, he caught fear flitting
across her eyes.

She leaned in to whisper. “He is coming.”

John swallowed. “Who?”

“Do not play coy with me. I did not come this far to
bandy words with an idiot. The Second Coming is upon
us.”

“I suppose you know who I am.” He shifted where
he stood, and the cherry floor groaned under his weight.

She smiled. There was no mirth there. “I know what lies
within that darkened heart of yours. I also know what will happen
to the person that orders your death. Your soul is cursed. That’s
why I’ve let you live.”

He stared, offering her nothing, yet he smiled
inwardly.

Cursed indeed.

Anyone who had anything to do with his death would suffer for
all eternity.

“I knew of your blasphemy and did not contest the
cardinal’s decision to put you away. There is too much at risk to
let you run around spouting your so-called truth. I come here now
to ask what you know. And when you are finished, I have an errand
for you.”

He masked his intrigue. “An errand?”

“Hoofed and horned, we believe he is loose upon the
world once more, maybe even in physical form.” She paused.
“You’re going to find him.”

“How?”

“Beings of great power are being summoned, but to where
we do not yet know. My sources have been unable to penetrate this
secret calling. They’ve all gone mad in the attempt. We know only
that it is being called by someone high in the echelons of the
Fallen.”

“And what am I supposed to do when I learn of this
summoning?”

“You will attend.” She paused, and lowered her
voice to a near whisper, “And you will kill
him.”

He refrained from commenting on the futility of the request.
John’s command of the dead was limited at best, although there were
other powers in this world, and ways to negotiate with the
unliving.

“You must know by now that my gifts are
inadequate.”

She nodded. “But your blackened soul is the only one
that may be able to get close enough without
suspicion.”

“And how will this deed be done?”

From the pulpit she pulled out a shroud-wrapped object. It
was about the length of his forearm. She peeled back the layers of
delicate cloth to reveal a sharp metal object. John knew it the
moment he saw it.

“The Spear of Destiny,” he muttered.

“It will be the only thing that can draw his soul from
his body. Once it is done we can imprison his spirit and keep the
world safe for a thousand years. You will have only one
chance.” She studied him as he ran his fingers along the
length of the spearhead.

He nodded as her logic revealed itself to him. “And if
I cannot kill him, then my own death will be a blight upon his
soul.”

There was cunning acknowledgement in her eye. “Now,
what will it be, assassin? I want to know what you
know.”

John pondered his options. Go on a treacherous hunt that
would likely result in his own death or remain under the cardinal’s
watchful eye. His decision was quick and concise, so he motioned
her closer, opened his mouth, and spouted truth from the
sacrilegious fountain of his soul.

More information at
davidhburton.com

Acknowledgements

The biggest thank you in the world goes out to my beta readers:
Maurice Alvarez
, Caleb Blake, Nikki Beland, Roger Benslay, Kim Cornell, Milene Ferreira,
Kiki Howell
,
Gina Marie Jenkins,
Julie Kearns
,
Scott Nicholson
,
Julie Titus
, Vickie Vonn, Jan Wells, Audrey Wilson, Avram Woroch
And, as always, I cannot thank my partner, Humberto, enough for his undying support and love.
This is a journey I would not be able to take without you.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my parents, for instilling in me the love of reading:
one of the greatest gifts you ever gave me.

Published by: Stonehenge Press
Copyright © 2011 by David H. Burton
Cover art and design by David H. Burton
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and
incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or
persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
License Notes
This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. If you would
like to share this book with another person, feel free to do so, or
purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If
you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not
purchased for your use only, then feel free to purchase your own
copy.
Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.