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

“Did I not already explain my mental instability, lad? You truly are a half-wit.”

I let go, and he counteracts with insane speed, grabbing my wrist with his other hand. The hand that was just a moment ago the only thing securing Zoie from her death. His grip burns my wrist, but I’m not sure if it’s just a mental-turned-physical interpretation of my disgust for him or if his touch really is burning my skin.

“Who are you?” I stare down on him with contempt. “Why are you doing this?”

He looks vile with his ashen skin, bloodred tattoos curling about his face, and now, a missing eye. Only a collapsed hole in its place. “I am Carib Reign. I will give freedom to all who remain after I kill the Taoiseach. And one more thing, before I go. Harris murdered your father. Revenge is yours for the taking.” He then lets go and plummets into the ravine, proving his instability. I watch him fall until I can no longer see him, somehow not fully satisfied.

And what little satisfaction I had is whisked away at the sight of a winged wolf soaring through the air with the madman on his back. The distance between us battles my eyesight, but I see another body atop the taboo beast. Zoie.

I have made a desperate attempt at saving the inhabitants of this moon, sacrificing it all. Fact and faith are both strong, but for how long. I will never know if my efforts have all been for naught. I will watch from the outskirts until the end. That is all I can do. It is up to the people of Azure now. I have faith.

53 Stone

T he harpy eagle touches down with ease in a grassy patch tight against the Martelli Manor. I’m thankful the raptor knows what he’s doing because if I were in full control, we’d be tumbling and broken. I’m also grateful to be off the beast. I can breathe again.

The surroundings are familiar. We’ve landed just outside where Ellia escorted me only a few nights ago. It’s a bit fuzzy, but I recall a door leading into the manor somewhere around here.

I hastily run my hands along the envelope of the structure. His manor looks like wood, but it’s as hard as stone. I must hurry, for the Crimson Guard, no doubt, saw me land. The sun is young, and the sky, cloudless. I wasn’t stealthy in the least bit, so if they didn’t, they’re not much of a guard.

An opening appears rather abruptly at one of the tower bases. I stumble backward and nearly fall on my rear when out shoots a beautiful woman in red, also in a hurry. She grabs my bicep, catching me in my blunder, and pulls me in tight.

“Just the man I’m looking for.” A sly grin sneaks between her cheeks.

“You’re not the woman I’m looking for,” I refute. However, the closeness of her body pressing tight against mine stirs my carnal desires. “I think we’ve seen enough of each other.” I push her away.

“Your sister is chasing after death. Follow me.” She takes my wrist and pulls me into the hidden entrance and through several corridors before we arrive at the Grand Atrium inside the Redwood Chamber. How they are connected baffles me. A slew of underground tunnels, perhaps.

“Here.” She shoves a harness holding two blades with teardrop pommels into my chest. I receive it.

“Life Bringer?” I look at her with puzzlement.

“Something as valuable as that ought not be left hanging around for any to take. I went to your quarters looking for you.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll leave you here.” She points to a set of doors. “It’s not my place to interfere any further. I have other matters to attend to. If you survive, I’m sure our paths will cross again.” Ellia squares up with me, placing a hand on each of my shoulders. A red band covers one of her eyes as it always does, but the other is benevolent. “Save her. She’s earned it.” She swiftly moves closer and places her lips on my cheek before disappearing down the corridor, leaving me to my fate with the Taoiseach.

As cold and dark as Ellia is, she leaves me with a warmth. My rage toward the situation has all but dissolved. I face the ironwood doors leading to Parliament’s chamber. They’re all too familiar from my past, coming here with my father when he was Architect. Jay has a justly explanation for making her decision to confront the Taoiseach. As does the Taoiseach for all his tyrannical motions, I’m sure of it. But she walks to her death. How could she be so erratic? And what am I going to do to save her? She has me walking to my death too. This is a chamber for discussion. So maybe we can discuss this. Maybe I can get them both to step off the ledge.

My fingers slide around the iron rings on the double doors and pull them open. As heavy as the doors appear, they move rather easily, and I nearly fall back with the force I exert. To my surprise, my clumsy entrance doesn’t distract from what is taking place inside the room.

“Murderer,” I calmly accuse the Taoiseach as I enter the chamber. But why do I enter with accusations? That is no way to dismantle the tension. It just came out. The sight of his arrogance standing across from my sister, looking down upon her with malintent, it sparks my rage and drowns out any sensibleness. But how I wish Helios were at my side. He protected me the last time I faced this man. I trust Goose has him safe at his heels. And vice versa.

The Taoiseach and all four men of Parliament are in attendance, and Jay stands