Sepia Blue- Nameless: A Sepia Blue Novel- Book 4 Orlando Sanchez (good books for high schoolers txt) 📖

“You have someone inside Regional.”

“Of course I have someone inside Regional, I have several someones inside Regional,” Smith said. “How do you think you were given a dark named blade? Your sterling reputation? Named blades aren’t released to males, and here you stand with a dark named blade. Did you think that was luck?”

“My apologies, I didn’t know,” Velos said.

“You really should have come to see me when I summoned you,” Smith said. “As much as I enjoy theater, I’m contemplating eviscerating you for having me go through this charade.”

“You need me,” Velos said. “I’m the one eliminating Hunters.”

“Need is such a strong word,” Smith said. “As for eliminating Hunters, it appears you are the one who was almost eliminated tonight. Something that could have been prevented had you come straight to me—first.”

Smith withdrew Nameless and it hummed with power in his hand. A deep bass tone filled the night as Smith held the sword up to the sky.

“What is that?” Velos asked looking around. “It never made a sound when I held it.”

“This blade will never sing for you,” Smith said, glancing at Retribution in Velos’ hands while raising an eyebrow. “You are bonded to another blade, a blade inferior to this one. One you should put away—unless you wish to test your skill against the Nameless?”

“Not especially, no,” Velos said, absorbing Retribution. “What will you do with it?”

“That is not your concern,” Smith said. “You were given a specific task with a specific target.”

“The Hunter and her gunman.”

“No,” Smith corrected. “Not the gunman. Just the Hunter, Sepia. Have you forgotten?”

“No, I haven’t,” Velos answered. “That gunman eliminated my entire team. He needs to—”

“What you need to do,” Smith interrupted, “is focus on bringing me that specific Hunter’s blade, not take out her gunman. Sepia is the priority; the Hunters as a whole are secondary. That was the condition upon which you were given a dark named blade, was it not?”

“It was.”

“Then bring me her blade…first,” Smith asked. “Do you know where she is, or are you just wandering the streets, lost and clueless?”

Velos flexed the muscles of his jaw.

“I have an idea where she might be hiding.”

“Is it here?” Smith asked, looking around. “Or in this neighborhood?”

“No,” Velos said. “She hasn’t been on the streets for some time. My guess is she’s hiding at the Keep.”

“The Hunter’s Keep in the Park? Really?”

“Yes,” Velos answered. “It makes the most sense.”

“Then why are you out here on the streets and not in the Park hunting her down?”

“No one goes into the Park at night and lives.”

“You wield a dark named blade,” Smith said. “You’ve bested two Hunters. Are you saying you fear the Park?”

“At night? Yes,” Velos answered. “Only suicidal fools enter the Park at night. I’m neither.”

Smith nodded his head as he assessed Velos. The man was useful, for now, and prudent. His tendency to vengeance spoke to an overinflated sense of self, but he could channel that. For now.

“Wise choice, then,” Smith answered after a pause. “When the sun rises, you enter the Park and find her.”

“I will find her and strip her of her blade, and her life.”

“Good,” Smith said. “Afterward, you go with your new team and wreak havoc and destruction on the Order. Take the rest of the Hunters’ lives and their blades, show them how weak they are as they fall before you. Unleash dark Retribution upon my enemies. You are my harbinger of death. Walk before me so that they may know the end is near and it is Nameless. Now, leave me.”

“I live to serve,” Velos said and bowed. “Thank you.”

Velos vanished in a cloud of black energy as another figure approached. He was dressed in a black suit with a dark gray shirt and matching tie. He towered over the old man, but approached cautiously, bowing when he stood near.

“Why didn’t you kill him, my lord?” the figure asked. “He openly defied you.”

“Are you questioning my actions?”

“Never, my lord. I merely seek to understand.”

“I allowed him to live because he serves a purpose still.”

“What purpose? He was nearly defeated by a group of humans. What purpose could he serve, beyond sacrifice?”

“He has brought me two named blades,” Smith said. “He will bring me more.”

“And the Jade Demon?”

“She is in the Keep,” Smith said. “As I anticipated. He will try and face her there.”

“He will die in the process, my lord. He is weak.”

Smith admired the Nameless and lifted the blade up, holding it horizontally.

“He is a feint designed to expose her weakness,” Smith said. “Either outcome serves our needs—Retribution will bring Perdition, and the Jade Demon one step closer to us. Where she belongs.”

“He dared to deny you what was rightfully yours.”

“He did not know it was me,” Smith said. “Even at the end, he was uncertain and plotting. It was clear in his voice. Once he has outlived his usefulness, he is yours.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

“Your brother Onyx fell because he trusted this man,” Smith said. “Do not make the same error, Tekt. You are strong, but nowhere near your brother’s power. Destroy him when I give you the command. Then you will have vengeance for your bloodline.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Tekt repeated.

Smith turned to face the Park. He sensed a wave of energy rushing toward him from its center. The energy felt familiar, like an old enemy. Smith smiled.

The Blight had arrived.

“I have much to do before we destroy the wards around the Park and our captors,” Smith said. “I have another task for you this evening.”

“My lord?”

“It would seem we have uninvited guests,” Smith said, gazing up at the rooftops and motioning to one with his cane.“Eliminate them.”

“I live to serve, my lord,” Tekt said with a bow. “Their lives are forfeit.”

“Once you have completed this task, join me. I would see our enemies suffer and beg for their lives before the end.”

“I would enjoy that, my lord.”

“As would I,” Smith said as his eyes glowed green. “As would I.”

Smith opened a portal and vanished through