Ripper (The Morphid Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free

time, it had all seemed so complicated, but now she couldn’t think of a simpler existence.
    The discarded zombie mask ogled her from the ground, its bloody grin mocking her. She picked it up.
    Smartie pants zombie, she thought with a sad smile.
    She unfocused her eyes and looked up. She did her best to ignore the severed link and zeroed in on the one that connected her to Greg. It floated above her, glowing brightly, and disappeared somewhere above Brooke’s house. Tears prickled in the corners of her eyes, as she wondered where Greg would be right now if he wasn’t tethered to her.
    Probably ten thousand miles away .
    If only she could figure out how to break through this barrier that stood between them .

Chapter 4 - Veridan
    With each step, the soles of patent leather shoes against stone floors announced Veridan’s presence. He squinted against the sunlight that shafted downward from small, round windows high on the walls.
    He passed Xasdia, who stood atop a small ladder, running a dusting wand over a large tapestry. The girl gave him a quick, dirty look before doing an awkward curtsy.
    Veridan ignored her. She was nothing but a servant girl, who thought herself more because she slept with that stupid young apprentice, Perry Hambleton. Once more, Veridan made a mental note to have her fired. She was so inconsequential, he kept forgetting. Too bad the girl was a Singular, else he would have had Danata take care of her. The more, the merrier.
    After traveling through several corridors and encountering a few servants who actually knew their place, he stopped in front of the large wooden door leading to Ashby’s bedroom. He rapped three times, then, knowing he was expected, entered without further preamble.
    Regent Danata stood by the window, looking out onto the south gardens, her angular nose made more prominent by a trick of the light. He went to stand by her side. They watched the topiary below in silence.
    The early afternoon sun hid behind a thick blanket of gray clouds, marking the last day of Danata’s disregard for her duties. What he held in his amulet would set things right and would make the Regent turn back into her old self.
    She needed to refocus on the important issues, if she was to remain in control. The Regency was slipping away, but she was so caught up in this uncharacteristic bout of motherly affection that she barely seemed to notice. Veridan hoped that what he’d brought to her today would set her straight. He couldn’t have her rights to the Regency challenged. She was too important.
    “I believe the incantation is ready,” he finally announced.
    For the last two months, while he’d searched the inner reaches of the nebula, he’d lied to the Regent, saying a spell was needed in order to accomplish this. She need not be aware of the exact details. That she was the source of his ever-growing power was something only he needed to know.
    Danata’s breathing halted, then resumed with an ill-concealed sigh of relief.
    “If it is so, Veridan, then I am in your debt.”
    He nodded, eyes fixed on the perfectly round shape of one of the shrubs below.
    Danata turned with determination. Her long hair was loose and hung down her back in wavy locks. Her skirt rustled as she moved with the same grace that had once captured Mateo’s attention, as well as his own. Veridan shook his head, displeased at the way these memories of his old friend kept resurfacing. He pushed them away.
    The Regent moved toward the large four-poster bed that dominated the room. A shape lay under heavy covers, looking small and wasted. Danata’s grieved expression still looked out of place on her face. Veridan would have never thought it possible, not after all he had seen her do this past fifteen years.
    On the bed, the boy looked gaunt and sallow-faced.
    “Will it work?” Danata asked. “Or will he be like that fool, Bernard ? Will he be a Void?”
    Her tone as she pronounced her brother-in-law’s name held even more