Curse Of The Dark Wind (Book 6) (46 page)
Read Curse Of The Dark Wind (Book 6) Online
Authors: Charles E Yallowitz
Gabriel strokes his chin and focuses his gaze on the flash of sunlight bouncing off drawn sabers. “You make a good point. He rejected his power and managed to cut Stephen, a creature beyond the reach of my plans. I prepared the drite to keep my old friend at bay until a champion found a way to defeat him. I never expected it to be that child with his mortal blades. To be honest, and this stays between us, I do not know what happened. Maybe I am overreacting and Luke Callindor has gained a power that I simply cannot see. It would not be the first time one of my prophecies left me wondering about events. Still, I have worries.”
“What are you planning?” Isaiah asks, a chill running from the tip of his tail to the base of his neck. “He did nothing wrong.”
“Of course he did something wrong. He said no,” Gabriel answers with a friendly smile. He pats the reptilian caster on the shoulder and sighs. “The perfect weapon wishes to speak with you and I am about to reintroduce the sixth champion to the game. I believe it is time for you to be scarce and let the champions handle the next challenge without your guidance.”
“How does this concern Luke Callindor?
“It means you will only watch while Stephen sets out to bring our wild hero to his knees.”
Gabriel rises into the air and transforms into a murder of silent crows that soar over the horizon. Isaiah rubs his neck and takes a final look at Luke Callindor, who is swinging his sabers and flipping around the pristine wall. The fireskin swallows the lump in his throat and licks his lips, fighting the urge to warn the young warrior about the darkness hunting him. Before he loses his resolve, Isaiah raises his staff above his head and wills it to carry him as far away from the champions as possible.
*****
The Baron sits on his elegant throne and rubs his eyes as the ranting voice of Stephen echoes throughout the castle. His son’s fury has been continuing for so long that he does not hear the individual words any more. Sipping at a goblet of wine, the Baron watches Raksha tackle the little girl and playfully gnaw on her shoulder. The child now resembles a doll of smooth metal, her face trapped in a permanent smile. The only sign that she used to be made of living flesh is her happy laugh that erupts whenever she wrestles with the demonic feline.
“Melanie! Raksha!” the Baron booms when he sees a ghostly image coming into focus in his drink. “Please take your fun outside. I have business to attend to.”
“Yes, master,” the girl says without her lips moving. With booming footsteps and innocent giggles, she chases the playful cat out of the room.
“Did I do well?”
asks a faint voice from the wine goblet. A distorted face appears in the liquid and stares at the Baron.
“Your actions were satisfactory,” he replies, taking a sip from the goblet. He can sense the frown on the face of his guest even though he cannot see it. “Now I request that you never contact me of your own accord again.”
“But-”
“Do not push your luck.”
“This is why I despise you.”
“I know.”
The goblet quivers and the red wine bubbles as the hazy face appears to scream. With a tired sigh, the Baron places his drink down and patiently waits for the tantrum to end. The wine erupts in a geyser that splatters on the ceiling and the cup melts into a molten puddle.
“Foolish child is too much like her mother.”
The adventure continues in
Sleeper of the Wildwood Fugue
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