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

word ‘athenaeum’ while in my presence. I know it holds secrets from his past, and it will likely help you with…” I pause for a moment unexpectedly. I find myself a bit…troubled. I have spoken of Harris’ death before. I have even thought of doing it myself at times, but for reasons unknown, I find myself choking on my own words while discussing it with Stone. Is it because I think he’s truly capable of carrying it out? Whatever. It will gain his trust even more so. “Sorry. I don’t mean to get upset about it. It’s just…Harris has been the only father I know.” I press closer to him. “I understand your troubles with him, and I understand the tyrant that he is, but…” A real tear wells up in my eye and streaks down my cheek. What the fuck is wrong with me? “…it’s hard for me. It is hard to admit his end must come.”

Stone runs his rough hand across my cheek, wiping away the tear. Dammit. Weakness. I let him pull me closer. He kisses me on the forehead and holds me tight to his body. I feel comfortable while in his arms. I’ve taken this too far. I must stop it.

I slide my leg between his, delicately brushing against his manhood. I can feel he understands my invitation instantly. Stone’s hands gently massage me, and it quickly turns more carnal. He handles me with a tender force I wouldn’t be able to resist if I wanted to. He moves on top of me, and I welcome him.

Just as the pleasure commences, the door to our room creaks open. Stone doesn’t hear it. I let out an exaggerated moan to instigate the confrontation that is about to take place. He thrusts, and now my ecstasy is genuine. My claws dig into his shoulders, drawing blood. He winces and presses into me harder.

Then a woman’s voice interrupts us.

“Stone?” she calls out disconcertedly. “Stone, is that you?”

Stone looks over his shoulder and quickly shuffles off me, taking cover in the silk linens.

“Jaymes!” Stone returns the shocked expression. “Jay, I…uh…I’m sorry. I can’t believe you had to witness this.” His gaze shifts. “Astor!”

He doesn’t even give her an apology. His guilt is splattered all over the walls. It’s disgusting.

Without a word, Astor turns and storms out the door without the decency to even shut it behind her.

“Jay—cover your eyes!” Stone demands.

I cannot resist smiling. “That bitch has annoyed me since the day I met her.” I can feel the lacerations from Stone’s eyes while he regretfully lies next to me. Jaymes, on the other hand, appears to have the same satisfaction from watching Astor flee the scene. But then her gaze aims at me and turns dark. She opens her mouth to speak and I see that snake-like tongue I’ve shaped for her. Fierce, yet repulsive. So, she has chosen to side with the Taoiseach. Then it dawns on me why Harris had me seduce Stone. He wants him all for himself. And I am helping spread the gap between all who are close to him.

The Taoiseach has claimed the remaining Advocates for himself, and the religion is in upheaval yet again. My efforts have declined this realm to every man for himself. I am a prisoner of my own creation. What have I become? It is apparent I am no good for this land. It is time for me to leave.

45 Elder

Four seasons earlier…

T hum-thump, thum-thump, thum-thump.

“Ugh…” Pain. Pain everywhere. What is that constant thumping? There is a soft texture against my cheek.

“Halt, Helios!”

I faintly hear Stone.

“Let’s stop to rest.”

I can sense him sluggishly dismounting, unwilling to open my eyes.

I’m draped over Helios like a butchered sow curing in a meat locker. Except this meat locker is also an oven. I move my arm the slightest, and a sharp jolt rushes through my spine like one of those rhinoceros stepped on it. Too much pain. The last thing I remember is leaping from the rooftop of the McLarin Mansion. I guess I didn’t survive that too well. I scrunch my eyes tight and let my head fall limp against the tiger.

“Go check the area,” Stone demands.

He must be speaking to Jaymes.

“Look for anything you can find. Berries, roots, grubs, anything is better than nothing. We’ll need some water too. We’ve been traveling parallel to a creek not too far off, so you should be able to fetch some there. Helios won’t be able to trek much farther without refueling himself as well. You can take him with you.”

Through the barrier of my eyelashes, I see Jaymes hesitating. If it were me, I’d just follow orders. But not Jaymes.

“Stone…don’t you think we should go back to look for mom and dad?” she asks calmly. “I don’t get it. I don’t understand why you have us running into the wild.”

“Jay…err…we had to leave. How do I say this? I’m sure mom and dad are handling their own against those intruders, but if we were to go back, we’d probably just get in the way. We’d only be another concern, just another thing for them to protect. Trust me. I’ll make sure you’re safe, and we’ll head back home when the time is right. For now, please gather some food and water for us. I need to check on Elder to find out how severe the damage is.”

It’s bad. I squeeze my eyes shut and try to focus on anything other than the pain. I realize I’m lying on the forest floor now. Half-decayed leaves and dry soil press against my cheek.

“They’re dead,” Jay proclaims with an even tone.

“We don’t know that!” Stone snaps.

“Fine. If you say so.”

Too careless to open my eyes, I hear her feet shuffle and