Blood of the Earth Read Online Free

needed to find his voice.
    “For myself, I’m proud of our service to you and your cause,” Wyatt finally said. “I believe my men are, as well.”
    “I have no doubt of that, but you’ve borne more of this burden than most. I know it’s a small consideration but I’d like to offer you and your men any posting you want: Glen Morillian, Southport, Blackstone Keep, wherever you’d like.”
    “That isn’t necessary, Lord Reishi,” Wyatt said. “We all understand, better than most, what we’re fighting for. For myself, I want to be on the leading edge of this war and that means standing right next to you, come what may.”
    Alexander smiled sadly and nodded. “Well, think about it, talk it over with your men. The offer stands for each of them. Let me know what you decide.”
    “Thank you, I will,” Wyatt said.
    Alexander clapped him on the shoulder and left him to grieve the loss of his men. He walked with Isabel and Mage Gamaliel to the tent where the prisoner was being held. Jack and Boaberous trailed along behind.
    Anatoly was heading toward Blackstone Keep with Lucky. His injury during the battle with the scourgling wasn’t life-threatening because of Isabel’s healing light, but he still needed time to recuperate. Abigail had flown with Mistress Constance and a wing of Sky Knights to the aerie in Blackstone Keep to help them get settled in. Isabel’s wyvern, Asteroth, had gone with her. The rest of the Sky Knights had returned to the fortress island to apprise the triumvirs of the battle.
    Before Alexander entered the tent where the prisoner was being kept, he drew Mindbender and shifted his mindset. This interrogation was a battle that he had to win. Information was power and he needed to find out everything he could about the new threat Phane had sent against him. He felt the weight of the sword in his hand and the familiar calm of battle settled over him. He stepped into the tent and locked eyes with his opponent. He was in a fight and he had a sword in his hand. Everything else faded away.
    Alexander reached out with Mindbender and listened to the thoughts of the man mixed with darkness. He heard the prisoner think of where he wanted to appear. He flickered in place for just an instant, wisps of darkness surrounded him briefly, but nothing happened. The collar he wore flared with the colors of active magic.
    Alexander smiled, “Looks like your collar is working, Kelvin. He just tried to blink behind me but couldn’t.”
    The Guild Mage nodded with satisfaction.
    Alexander stepped closer, but not too close. “What are you?”
    The man smiled with malice. “I am wraithkin. Master made me more than I ever was when I was just a man.” His voice was raspy and ever-so-slightly unhuman.
    “I take it Phane is your master.”
    “Prince Phane is everybody’s master, even yours, usurper.”
    “That remains to be determined,” Alexander said. “How many wraithkin did Phane make?”
    He shrugged. “There were almost a hundred of my brethren when we were dispatched to kill everyone that you love.”
    The wraithkin smiled as his statement settled into Alexander. He felt a little chill race up his spine.
    “How many of your kind are on Ruatha?” he asked.
    The wraithkin smiled but said nothing.
    Alexander stared at him, waiting for an answer. “One way or another I’ll get an answer to my question.”
    The wraithkin shrugged again. “I doubt it. I will answer many questions but none that will help you.”
    “Perhaps another line of questioning is in order,” Jack suggested, “if I may?”
    Alexander nodded.
    “How were you made?” Jack asked.
    Kelvin leaned in with greater interest.
    “I was once just a man,” the wraithkin said, “but then Master asked for volunteers to become much more than we once were. He called forth a creature from the netherworld and blended it into my being.” He shuddered with pleasure. “You have no idea the power Master gave me.”
    “Not enough to get you out of