Assassin of Curses: (The Coren Hart Chronicles Book 3) Jessie Eaker (best reads txt) 📖

He waved a dismissive hand toward us. “Can’t say I blame her. That group is pretty powerful.” He shook his head. “I wish I’d just killed her when I had the chance.”

He stepped to the center of the room.

Yonge looked up. A look of concern on his face. He pointed to his collapsed guards. “My charms aren’t working. I thought you said I’d be able to use my myst.”

Wynn sighed impatiently. “I did. But if you will remember, I said you would be able to use your body’s myst.” He grinned. “Your current one. Myst abilities are dependent on the body, not the soul. So none of your charms work now.” He shrugged. “Sorry, just one of those things.” He turned but then looked back for a moment. “Of course, you could always go back to your old one.”

Yonge glanced nervously at his former unmoving body.

Wynn grinned. “I thought not.”

A long-range portal opened in the center of the room. I couldn’t help but wonder who was creating the portals. The wayfarer behind them must be extremely powerful to do two in one day.

Yonge went to squat beside a fallen guard and flipped him over. He began fiddling with the charm the unconscious man wore.

Wynn stepped toward the portal and glanced our way. “Sorry I can’t stay longer, but I must be moving on.” He patted his pouch. “I need to get this someplace safe. I have great plans for it.”

Suddenly a myst barrier sprang up in front of Wynn. A really thick one. From its shape and color, I knew it was Cabrina’s.

The young man turned to glare at the youth in annoyance. “Really? You dare attack someone of higher cothe? I was going to let you live, but no, you had to poke the bear. Your new directive...” He turned away. “...is to kill your host. Now!”

Cabrina sucked breath like she had been struck. “No!” she wailed, falling to her knees. The knife she had used to cut off our charms sprang into her hand and inched toward her throat.

Fumiko grabbed her hand and struggled to pull the knife away.

I sprinted after Wynn. He turned just as he was stepping inside. I reached in to grab him but missed, only managing to catch him by the pouch holding the nexus. He grabbed it and tried to pull it away from me. But I hauled on the strap as hard as I could, leaving him half out of the portal. He glared at me.

A harsh cold emanated from the portal, and its edges began to fluctuate. We only had a few moments before it closed. One didn’t want to be caught in it when it did.

“Let go!” he screamed. He kicked at me.

Behind me, I heard Fumiko yelling. “Don’t do this No-name!”

“I can’t stop,” the youth wailed. “I have no choice. I must do what I was made to do.”

Zofie ran over and grabbed me about my middle and added her strength to pulling me out.

Wynn and I glared at each other. “Release her,” I shouted.

He just snorted.

That really pissed me off.

But not as bad as it did to the woman at my back.

Zofie punched him.

His nose sprouted blood. “I’ll kill you!” he screamed. “Both of you!”

She punched him again. “Not if I can help it.” I made a mental note to never, ever piss her off.

Wynn’s head rocked back.

The portal’s fluctuations became more erratic, and I knew we only had seconds left. I felt his fingers slipping and thought he was going to let go—

Suddenly, a pair of female hands came out from the darkness of the portal behind him, and while I couldn’t see her face, I could make out two dark eyes peering over his shoulder. They reached around his waist and grabbed my wrists. I was dragged forward with my arms just inside the gate’s darkness.

The portal began to close, and I had time to wonder what life would be like without hands.

“Now!” Zofie screamed, and we both jerked back hard. At the same time, the woman holding my hands let go, and the purse’s straps slipped through my fingers.

Zofie and I fell, landing on our backs. I felt one more puff of icy air, and the portal immediately closed. I cursed. Wynn had gotten away.

Zofie and I scrambled up and tried to help Fumiko with Cabrina. Fumiko was wrestling with her and nearly had her pinned. A sudden burst of myst flung Fumiko away, where she lay for a moment clearly stunned. Zofie and I immediately took her place.

“Please let go!” pleaded the youth. “I don’t want to hurt you. But I must do what I was made to do.”

Fumiko shook off her daze and joined us. I couldn’t help but be struck by the irony. Only a few days ago, Fumiko would have gladly killed Cabrina. But now, she was trying to prevent her from dying.

“Abe,” I yelled. “Is there anything I can do?”

Are you sure you want to? He said calmly. She is on the path to becoming a Dark Avenyts. She is an enemy of humanity.

“I don’t believe that. She would choose light if she had a choice.”

Then give her one.

I felt her myst building, and suddenly all of us were flung away. Fortunately, she lost the knife in the process but quickly scrambled to retrieve it. Zofie and Fumiko rushed to stop her.

I picked myself up. “How...?” I asked Abe. But I knew. “You can name her, can’t you? You’re a Creator blasted Avenyts.”

I am, but I’m not. I’m something different. But for this, I am close enough to fill the role. Just be warned, if I name her, then we are taking responsibility for her not going dark. It will not be easy.

I didn’t hesitate. “How do I