Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

“Sir?” he inquires to speak. There is no anger in him right now. His search for the knowledge of who he is overtakes his hatred for me. I nod. “I know of all those terms, sir. But I am not one of them.”

“No, you are not. Are you? You’re something different. In time.” I have him. “Ellia will find you. She will help you control your talent, Stone. Now…” I rise to my feet. “Go. Enjoy your Ironball match this evening.” I wink. His brow wrinkles as he rises to his feet, but he accepts the fact I have knowledge of what is happening within this city. He exits my chamber to where Sasha waits to escort him.

“Okay, dear. You can flee your reconnaissance position now.” For once, her immaturity puts a smile on my face.

Jaymes rises and steps in through the balcony door. “Whatever your plans are with Stone, I don’t care. Just don’t murder him.”

“I don’t believe you, but that is beyond what we need to discuss.” I stroll through the door to the balcony. “Come, I could use some fresh air.”

She follows behind me and stands attentively near the railing. She is a power to reckon with, certainly, and I could easily destroy her with a simple shove. Push her right over the edge to her death. Power is a fabrication of man, just as everything else we perceive. This world is as we see it.

“You were early. But I suppose I didn’t set the expectation, did I?” I place my hands on the rail and look out to the gardens of gloom. “What are you thinking? Why did you not greet your brother? He’s been searching for you for nearly an entire season now. And you hid from him.”

“But has he? I’ve seen him with Astor. I’ve seen him laughing, learning, and enjoying his time here. And now an Ironball match. He has time for an Ironball match while his sister is held captive? He doesn’t care for me anymore.”

“Captive? Hardly. But I see you’ve been sneaking outside the estate walls.” Jaymes tenses. A smile presses into my cheeks. “No surprise, really. I would expect worse with Ellia’s influence. And it’s not as bad as eavesdropping on my conversations.” I turn to face her and narrow my gaze.

“My apologies, sir.”

“It’s not the first time. I doubt it’ll be the last.”

Jaymes won’t make eye contact. Instead, she stares straight forward off into the distance.

“But this isn’t why I summoned you here this evening. I have a task for you. Knowing your level of maturity, it will be more challenging than taking out one of your targets. But you are capable. And you’ll be better off for it. You have a disliking for Astor, no?” I give her a sidelong glance.

She shrugs. “I wouldn’t wish death upon her, sir. But, yes, you could say I dislike her.”

“Find Astor tonight. After their little outing. Take some time to reacquaint if you must, but bring her to Ellia’s chambers around midnight. I have a task for the three of you. Ellia has the details.”

Looking back on the day we arrived, we knew nothing of life. I knew nothing of life. I do not understand why I have remained faithful to this challenge. Obligation maybe. But I am now witness to the gaps that were once invisible. Because they have been backfilled and sowed with new growth I didn’t realize possible.

42 Goose

I  sit quietly at the table within my dark hollow. The sun has yet to rise, but I cannot sleep. Nor can I bare to rise and greet the day. My face is buried in my arms. This is all so surreal. Zoie is gone. Is it my fault? I didn’t strike her, but I led her there. She’s gone.

I have been given the pleasure of solitude to mourn and to comprehend the events that took place only days ago. Surprisingly, even Graytu, whom I would’ve expected to be chumming me the following sunrise, has also given me space. I presume all the villagers are mourning the loss of Zoie, themselves. Or are they shunning me? Am I to blame? Her death means more to me than I ever would have anticipated.

What now? Will I ever reach Greybark to find Old Lady Windblown? My entire purpose for coming here is shattered. I may never cross that crossing to gain the knowledge I seek, and I will never be able to confront the Taoiseach. I’m only worse off than when I arrived.

But that is beyond what matters. I disrupted the balance of Redcliffe Village, and more death follows in my wake. I made yet another new family, and now, I’ve destroyed that one too. First, my father. Then, Stone and Jaymes. Now Zoie and Graytu. Goose the Home Slayer.

I bury my head deeper into my arms until my forehead plants flat on the table.

“Great morning for a hunt,” a chipper voice calls out.

Flesh sticks to flesh as I peel my face from my arms. There’s a petite shadow leaning against the rounded frame of the opening. It’s difficult to see who it is in a room consumed by darkness.

“C’mon, Sheela. Sun ain’t up yet. But you are. Let’s do this.”

“Zoie?”

“Are you…crying?”

“What? No!” I knock my chair over as I rise to my feet. A passing embarrassment before the reality of who I’m looking at sets in. “How?”

She moves from the doorway and jabs at my gut when she gets close enough. Anticipating her uncouth hello, I brush her jab to the side and wrap my arms around her. I hold her for a long moment with her arms awkwardly bunched tight against her body. Not willing to let go. I hold her until she squirms free.

“What?” Her face is