Shade of Destiny (The Foreseeing) Read Online Free

it was more of them .
         “ Shut it Crass,” another voice shouted back, “it’s not exactly a feast, Malice and Odium are lucky, they get to eat that Elina woman when Aerona is finished with her.”
         William froze; it took a few minutes for what the creature had said to sink in; he had completely forgotten about Elina and her baby, Wynn.
         “ Where are they anyway?” Crass asked. The voice was becoming louder, as though they were walking in William’s direction.
         “ Yeah they should have been here. If Aerona had chosen me there would be no foul ups.” The second voice was also becoming louder. They were going to turn around the corner any moment and find William standing in the middle of the square, sword in hand, mouth open in fear.
         “ You, you couldn’t even kill that dog properly, you’re pathetic Spite, Aerona only lets you tag along because you were the first one she turned. A reminder of how never to –” the voice was cut short as a scuffle broke out and the sound of windows breaking echoed around the streets.
         William couldn’t move, he was completely paralysed by fear, there were hardly any places to hide in the square, and even if he found one he knew that it would be any minute before they stopped fighting and found him. A breeze whipped up and his clothes flapped in the wind as his eyes darted around for any form of hiding place. In the last cottage before the forest, a candle burned. It had not been there before; William took a chance and ran towards the light. The front door was open; he ran through it just as the creatures stopped fighting and turned the corner.
         “ I could have sworn I heard footsteps,” one of the creatures remarked, “running.”
         William was pressed against the back of the door. The hallway in front of him was in darkness, he could just make out the walls and floor from the light of the moon shining through the windowpane on the door. The creatures continued to bicker amongst themselves, walking down the beaten path towards Oprend Manor. William let out a sigh of relief; slowly he felt his heart slow down. Looking around William saw the cottage he was in was the one opposite his tavern, Widow Mason’s. It was unusual for Widow Mason to leave her door open; William brushed himself off and walked cautiously down the hall, poking his head into every room. They were all pitch black. The last door on the right of the corridor was shut; he put his head to the wood and heard the sound of muffled voices. Straining he could just make out what the people inside were saying.
         “ What brings you to Woodstone mistress?” A man was asking, his voice quavered as though utterly terrified.
         “ Business. Where will I find Elina Fillamenth?” The woman sighed, not bothering to hide the irritation in her voice. William held his breath, wondering if the man would betray Elina to the woman.
         “ Her home, in the middle of Lumber Forest, I thought you would have Moved yourself there,” the man replied. William was not surprised that he had revealed Elina’s location, even though Elina was the kindest person alive it seemed some still wished her harm.
         “ Do not talk of Moving as though you understand it, carrying myself vast distances with magic is not foolproof. Elina has placed a protective spell around her and her little brat, therefore if I want to find her I must go to her in person, the knowledge of her location exact in my mind.”
         The woman’s voice was a question, but no answer came. A long silence stretched and was followed suddenly by the sound of metal clashing and a thump. No cry floated through the air but William was sure that the man was dead. He scrambled away as footsteps walked towards the door but before he could run a strong arm had grabbed him around the neck. He dropped his heavy iron sword to the floor with a clatter.
         “ Who are you?”