Mad Lord Lucian by Shay West Read Free Book Online Page A

avail. Even the thought of being let go was not enough to force them to leave the castle.
    The stories of the missing became too frequent for Senda to ignore. He thought the Mystic was behind the disappearances rather than some spirit. He tried to puzzle out why the man was here on the island and what he gained by healing Lucian, then turning him against his own people.
    One night, he decided to go see for himself what was happening in the streets after darkness fell. If I can prove Anali is behind these disappearances, then maybe Lucian will send the man back to the swamps . The streets were eerily silent. There were no people heading for a tavern, or servants about their duties, or couples out for a stroll. Not even the feral dogs and cats roamed the neighborhoods.
    Senda decided to walk to Suasor's manor to see if he could spot the spirit of the dead man. As he approached, his skin prickled and his hair stood on end. He stopped, afraid to move any closer. Oh, stop it! Are you a man or a child?
    The home was bathed in shadows. Not even the twin moons cast enough light to keep the darkness at bay.
    As Senda turned to leave, he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He spun and screamed when he caught sight of something pale white dancing across the ground. He tried to run but was rooted to the spot, his muscles unable to obey the command his brain was sending.
    The white mist coalesced into a figure that bore a striking resemblance to Lord Suasor. The man's flesh hung from his bones, and his eyes burned vermilion fire. His mouth hung open in a silent wail of despair, and his fingers raked the flesh from his face.
    Suddenly, the ghost turned, and his eyes flashed. Senda's leg flooded with warmth as his bladder let go. He watched with increasing horror and dread as the spirit of Suasor drifted closer.
    It has to be some trick of Anali's! Senda wanted to look around for any sign of the Mystic, but he was too frightened to take his eyes off Suasor. The man hovered just a few feet away. It pointed at Senda. Its mouth worked as though it was speaking, and yet no sound emerged from the spirits rotten lips. Senda could tell that the spirit was angry. Perhaps he blames me for his death?
    Senda cried out as the ghoul flew directly at him. His body grew icy cold, and he couldn't breathe. Spots danced in front of eyes. In a heartbeat, the cold was gone, and Senda hit his knees, shivering, and gasping for breath. He sat for a time, ignoring the stench of urine assailing his nostrils. He was afraid to look up, afraid he would see more spirits in the streets.
    Knowing he couldn't stay there all night, Senda forced himself to his feet, swaying a little as he stood. He kept his eyes averted as hemade his way back to Mandor's home. He sneaked to his room, changed out of his soiled clothing, and tugged on a fresh cotton nightshirt. He lay on his pallet, blanket pulled to his chin, eyes darting about the room, certain the spirit of Suasor was going to fly through the wall any minute to exact his revenge.

    *   *   *

    The next morning, Senda awoke with a jolt, barely holding a scream in check. It took several minutes to slow his racing heart.
    The dream seemed so real. He had seen the predatory spirits of the dead sucking the life out of the people of the island, tossing the empty husks of their prey into the Sea of Solace. Those that had been killed had joined the ranks of the spirits hunting the streets of Lucian's island kingdom. Senda chided himself. It wasn't like him to allow a dream to scare him so badly. But I have seen the ghosts! The rumors are true . He ignored this voice, dressing hurriedly. He had to start the morning chores, and he doubted a bad dream would be a good enough excuse for Dreban.
    The kitchen staff was already gathered when he arrived. It didn't take long for him to realize something was wrong. The servants were crying, their aprons damp with their tears. Dreban was trying to speak to them, but they only wailed