Dark Realm: Book 5 Circles of Light series by E.M. Sinclair Read Free Book Online Page A

Kelshan and the Confederacies.’
He took what he knew to be a childish delight in watching the
Shield Master’s face. Disbelief, shock, and dawning horror were
revealed on his countenance.
    Grent’s amusement
vanished and his tone became sour. ‘She is known as “the idiot”. I
honestly doubt if the Imperatrix will be unduly concerned. She had
publicly admitted, in the Council rooms at least, that she expected
to gain nothing from Shea as a bargaining piece in any marriage
auction.’
    By now they’d reached
Gossamer and Shea who stood side by side, peering over the
bridge.
    ‘Not far now,’ Garrol
commented, striding up the paved road towards the Palace towering
above them. Shea hurried to catch up with the Shield Master,
bombarding him with questions. Gossamer and Grent trailed
behind.
    ‘Do you think that man,
or anyone else here, will understand I’m dead?’ Gossamer
hissed.
    Grent shook his head.
‘No idea. Why? Is it important that people know, or that they don’t
know of your – er – little problem?’
    Gossamer glared at him.
‘A very few people knew in the City and were able to stay friendly
with me, but most weren’t. They pretended they couldn’t even see me
if we met around the streets.’
    ‘Master Pule said you’d
done some work for Molesiffer Brak recently. Did he know you’re
dead?’ Grent was really curious. He understood Gossamer had been
cursed, then murdered, and yet still looked much the same. More or
less, he amended. But he’d never liked to ask just what sort of
existence she had. ‘I truly did forget that you don’t eat or
drink,’ he admitted sheepishly. ‘I wasn’t trying to offend
you.’
    She shot him a
suspicious look. ‘It’s very boring in most respects actually. There
seems to be a lot more time in each day and nothing to fill that
time with. Shopping, cooking, eating, drinking.’ She gave Grent
another wary glance. ‘I do cook sometimes for something to do, but
then I’m left with all the food. Drengle List says he enjoys the
smell. So do the local ghosts.’
    Gossamer held out her
hands then touched the smooth skin of her face. ‘The curse doesn’t
completely stop the body deteriorating. Snail the Embalmer is a
very special woman. She keeps those of us who find ourselves in
this state looking reasonably normal, and she is a genuine friend.
Costs a lot of course, but money’s no trouble to come
by.’
    She grinned which made
Grent nervous, but their conversation was interrupted by the Shield
Master. He stood before a high archway of stone so black and smooth
it looked like velvet.
    ‘Welcome to Karmazen
Palace, home of the First Daughter of Dark.’
    A tall thin man stood
within the shadows of the arch. He gave a slight bow. Shea walked
towards them. She smiled at Grent and Gossamer, squinting against
the sun’s brightness.
    ‘He’s Corman, the
Palace Master.’ She lowered her voice. ‘I think that means the same
as a steward.’
    ‘Quite correct Lady
Shea,’ the man replied. ‘If you would come with me, I will show you
to your rooms.’
    Gossamer shrugged and
followed the man under the archway, Grent and Shea behind her.
Corman led them up several staircases, the last flight spiralling
up in alternate steps of red and black. Along a landing they came
to a door intricately carved with swirls of trees and plants.
Corman opened the door and stood aside.
    ‘There are several
bedrooms, bathrooms and a sitting room. I have sent for maids – ah,
here they are now. Please make yourselves comfortable and if there
is anything you need, ask one of the maids to summon me or the
Palace-Keeper. She will visit you shortly anyway. You will be
called for dinner at sunset but some food will be provided at
once.’
    The door closed
silently and Gossamer and Grent found themselves alone but for a
young maid. Shea had disappeared into one of the rooms further
along the hall with the two other maids.
    ‘There was something
wrong with him.’ Gossamer sounded