Black Rose by K.L. Bone Read Free Book Online Page B

they build underground?”
    “For
protection, mostly. The tunnels are too narrow to send an entire army inside.
Geographically, the area is very stable as well.”
    Sandra
stared ahead, but not even her imagination could form pictures in this
darkness. “What happened here? Will you tell me?”
    “I
cannot. It is forbidden to speak of such things. If you truly remember what
happened here that night, I will take you to the one who can tell you. But if
you do not remember,” he allowed several moments of silence to fill the
encroaching darkness, “it is forbidden, my Lady.”
    “By
whom?”
    “The
Captain of the Black Rose.”
    “Black
Rose,” she repeated. “The woman who came for Captain Edward?”
    “Yes.”
Shadows danced across his face from the dim light of Sandra’s flashlight.
    “You
are not part of her guard though.”
    “No,
my Lady.”
    “Then
how can she forbid?”
    “I
served the Black Rose for many years. Centuries in fact. When I was released
from her service, it was under the condition that certain vows would be kept
intact. This, what you ask, is most assuredly one of them.” He drew a deep
breath. “King Mathew also once served at Mara’s pleasure.”
    “The
King was a member of the Black Rose?”
    “Yes.
A Sub-Captain.”
    “Is
it true what they say, about Mara?”
    “What
do they say?”
    “That
she is cold, ruthless and kills all those who would dare to challenge her?”
    Several
moments of silence filled the air between them before Regald stated, “As a
killer, the Captain of the Rose is most proficient.”
    “Tell
me about her.”
    Regald
shivered. “I will, my Lady, but not within the confines of these dark walls.
This place…” He shifted his gaze down the hallway as though seeing figures
beyond Sandra’s sight. “They were children here. Edward, Mara, Garreth,
Mathew…they were happy once. But after that night, they would never know
happiness again.” He shifted his gaze back to Sandra’s. “Ask me some night, far
from these walls. Here lie the ghosts of still beating hearts.” He turned and
walked forward toward the tunnels. Sandra followed in a confused silence.
    He
led her down corridor after corridor, knowing the way even after all the
centuries of abandonment. They finally found themselves standing before a large
stone door covered in black roses on thick, green vines. Regald moved to push
the door open, and cut his hand on the thorn of a wild rose bush. Sandra shined
the flashlight up and down the door. The roses ran up and down the stones. He
moved more carefully and managed to maneuver the door open enough to enter the
room. 
    The
same roses ran across the walls of the large chambers and then trailed along
the floor to reach the center of the room. A little more manipulation of the
flashlights and Sandra managed to take several steps forward. In the center of
the room was a large slab of black polished stone upon which lay not the black
roses that had been upon the door, but roses the color of freshly spilt
blood. 
    A
light appeared in the far corner of the room; a single flame in the darkness.
She stepped towards it, being careful not to trip over the vines beneath her
feet. As she watched, the flame split into two and then split again, slowly
transforming into a roaring fire. 
    She
reached the flames and stared in awe, watching the fire dance across the cold
air.  Then, she heard a soft whisper, “No.”  She turned around,
facing away from the light. “No.”
    The
stone was covered with piles of soft cushions and thick, dark blankets. Another
fire burned on the opposite side of the room, flames pushing back the darkness.
Edward stood beside the bed bared to the chest, his arms held fast by two men
standing on either side of him. Standing beside him was the most beautiful
woman Sandra had ever seen. She stood in a slender gown of dark fabric that
clung to every curve of her thin frame. Her long black hair hung across her
back in ringlets, every curl