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

He continued. “We’re almost to the gates. What could possibly be wrong?”

At that exact moment, Zofie leaned over the table and threw up.

I had heard that you would feel the gates long before you saw them. The barrier consumed a vast amount of myst, so even those not sensitive to the ethereal substance could feel it. For me, I felt a general sense of unease creep up my neck as we walked up an incline toward the gates.

I glanced at Zofie. Maybe it was the gates that made her throw up. She was a myst seer and likely much more sensitive than I was. After she had emptied her stomach—which wasn’t that much—she had seemed a little perkier. I hoped that was what it was and not something more serious.

Traffic was heavy on the road with carts and groups of people trudging toward and away from the gates. The houses and buildings quickly thinned along the well-worn stone road until there was only wild grass and rocks along the edge.

When we topped the hill, I had to pause to just stare at it. I had expected something grandiose, but I was not prepared for just how grand it actually was.

Two giant stone dragons made up the sides of the gates, with their bodies firmly planted on opposite sides of the road and their long necks stretching out until their heads touched, forming an arch. Overtop of them and extending out from them as far as we could see was a wall of rainbows that gradually shifted and shimmered with a subdued power. Its beauty was hypnotic.

The entire empire was protected by the high myst wall at least fifty feet or more. No living thing could pass through it. So to protect the wildlife and to warn the unwary, it was made to radiate with color and feeling so they would know to keep away. It also had the effect of making people naturally avoid it.

We joined the flow of people through the gates until we came to stand in an exceedingly long queue just outside them. It only made sense, considering there were only five entrances to the empire on this side of the continent.

It wasn’t until noon that we finally were able to arrive at the base of the gate and take our turn talking to the uninterested official.

We were surprised to find he spoke fluent Ellish. We deposited our required toll, and I explained why we were traveling. “We’re here at the invitation of Imperial Advisor Yonge.”

The man gave us a knowing look, clearly not believing me. “I’m sure the emperor himself is waiting for you just on the other side. Now hurry along.”

We did as he said, but after only taking a few steps into the gate, a gong sounded. Soldiers immediately surrounded us with some very sharp looking spears and shuffled us off to a dark and dingy room to one side.

Another official, a short round fellow, entered with some kind of handheld device which reacted with a similar gong when pointed to Zofie, Cabrina, and me.

He stepped back and looked at us suspiciously. “Curses are not allowed inside our great empire.” He took a deep breath and launched into a well-practiced speech. “If you wish to enter, you’ll have to remove them. If you can’t, then I can arrange for someone to remove them for you. If you attempt to enter again without removing them, you will be charged with attempted smuggling.” He paused for dramatic effect. He clearly liked this part. “And the penalty for that is death.”

“I tried to explain this outside,” I said. “We are from the Kingdom of Brethnach, and we are on our way to see Advisor Yonge. He invited us here.”

“What proof do you have?”

I held out my wrist with the bracelet. “He told us through his avatar that he could remove these.”

The man gave it a dismissive glance. “I’m sorry, but you are not allowed to pass until you remove your curses. The law is quite clear.”

Fumiko sighed and turned her back to the man. She took off her cloak and loosened her shirt. Then, slipping it down her shoulder, she revealed her butterfly tattoo.

His eyes went wide. “Come with me.” There was a sudden tremor to his voice.

The man quickly led us outside and up a set of stairs. He knocked on a door at their top, eyeing Fumiko nervously as he pulled out a kerchief to wipe his sweaty brow. There was a muffled reply from the other side, and we were ushered in.

A man in a fine robe, holding a paper and writing brush, stood in front of a large window overlooking the gate. He turned at our entry, clearly displeased at the interruption. Our escort spoke with the official for a bit in their language before quickly leaving the room.

The official cleared his voice and spoke something to Fumiko. She turned and once more exposed her shoulder to reveal her tattoo.

He sighed. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a small piece of carved jade about as big as his thumb. My eyes went up in surprise. It was a beautifully done butterfly from a dark green stone. He then placed the carving in the center of his extended palm and blew on it.

Nothing happened at first, but a heartbeat later, the butterfly began to softly glow and gently pulse. The man licked his lips nervously.

“Hello Administrator,” came a rich, male voice from the orb in near-perfect Ellish. “I take it our visitors are with you?” I instantly recognized the voice.

The administrator immediately gave a short bow. He likewise replied in Ellish. “Imperial Advisor Yonge. It is my honor to speak with you. These people match the description you gave me.”

“Excellent. Please admit them at once. I will have