Darkness Unbound by Zoe Forward Read Free Book Online Page B

tube. Surgery? She didn’t think the magi’s healer needed much more than her magik touch. She scanned her surroundings. The Spartan too-worn furniture screamed authentic hospital decor. No person with even a hint of taste would choose that saccharine green color for a chair.
    In his deep, singsong tone, the glowing being announced, “They will arrive soon for you. But that is not why I am here.”
    “Who’s coming? The magi?”
    He nodded.
    “Who are you?”
    “Amun-Ra.”
    “Should I know you?” Based on his glower, she guessed so. “You’re glowing.” And I’m hallucinating. “That means you must have something to do with them .”
    “I request you not discuss this visit with anyone, especially them. Or him.”
    “Him as in Zannis?” Astrid threw a hand over her eyes. “I’m dreaming. Why can’t I just be allowed to finally die in peace?”
    Amun-Ra pulled her hand off her eyes. “Look at me.”
    She stared into his shimmering gold eyes, mesmerized and unable to break free of his gaze.
    “You must trust the energy within you.”
    “What are you talking about?” Astrid demanded her eyes moved away from his, but they refused to respond.
    “The power that enables you to open portals.” He released her arm and broke their ocular connection.
    As if she’d ever fully trust herself with that ability since the three times she’d accidentally opened a doorway, it led to him. Her gaze dropped to the deity’s right forearm. A small blade handle protruded. The blade was embedded to the hilt. Yet the skin was smooth as if healed around it. Without thinking she reached for the handle. When her hand encircled it, he sharply inhaled. She released. Her gaze darted to his. “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t have touched. It just didn’t seem like it should be there.”
    “Did you experience any discomfort when you touched the blade?” His eyebrows rose.
    She shook her head.
    “Then, do it. Attempt to remove it.”
    She reached for the blade again and smoothly pulled it from his skin, which instantly healed around the site. She held out the blade for him.
    He ran a hand over the area on his forearm. His golden eyes swam with surprise when they met hers. He closed her palm around the blade. “Keep this. You can use the blade once. None can take it from you, and you cannot gift it to another. This is yours alone to command. It will destroy whatever being you choose to use it upon.”
    She palmed the small knife, wondering why it had been embedded in his arm.
    He flicked his wrist and an intricate gold chain linked itself to the end of the now-sheathed blade. “Wear it,” he ordered.
    She traced the golden chain with a finger, but didn’t place it around her neck. “Thank you. Why do you care what happens to me?”
    A tragic expression transformed his face. Overwhelmed by a bizarre need to comfort him, she squeezed his hand.
    His expression morphed into deadly. “Those who have hurt you… their time is at an end.”
    She plucked her hand from his. “You’re here to protect me from Zannis?”
    His face screwed up with confusion . “He sent me to you.” Then, he disappeared.
    Within seconds she passed out.
    ****
    “Astrid. Astrid Scarre!” a woman screamed.
    Astrid’s teeth clicked together when someone shook her. Who screamed her name? All she wanted was to snuggle deeper into this warmth for just a while longer.
    “Give her more of the reversal,” a dictatorial female ordered.
    “Ma’am, she’s had enough. She needs that pain relief. She’s scheduled for surgery in an hour,” a male replied.
    “Give it!”
    Throbbing pain jolted her to abrupt consciousness. She bowed against arm and ankle restraints in a failed attempt to sit up. Her head swirled like someone spun her on a carousel. With a lurch her stomach warned.
    “Don’t you dare puke. Astrid, I need to know where you’ve been. Who tried to kill you?”
    Astrid struggled past the pain haze. A woman loomed into her visual field. She