The Conquering Dark: Crown by Clay Griffith, Susan Griffith Clay Griffith Read Free Book Online Page A

Kate’s chair, clenching and unclenching his fingers on the wood. “Ash never mentioned you to me.”
    Nick stopped reaching for the whiskey bottle and looked up in alarm. “What do you mean? Have you talked to Ash? Did she approach you?”
    â€œWe’ve spoken. I haven’t heard from her in a few months. I thought perhaps she might have fled England to escape Gaios.”
    â€œShe won’t give up England without a fight, or rather without sending someone to fight for her. Jesus, Simon, don’t go near her. She’s the most twisted creature in the history of time. She will do nothing but corrupt and leave you for dead. She only wants you so you can win her war with Gaios.”
    Simon said, “I’m choosy about whom I play Galahad to.”
    â€œI am begging you.” Nick started to stand, but fell back onto the sofa, more from the drink than from the beating. “Please. Don’t have any dealings with her.”
    â€œTell me who she really is,” Simon demanded.
    â€œI have no idea. I’ve never talked to the real Ash, only her corpse mouthpieces. No one knows who Ash is. She’s been hundreds of people over the centuries, moving from one place to another, one name to another. I heard she’s been everything from the queen of France to the pope’s mistress. Some say she was Empress Josephine. No one knows. Her black arts allow her to stay young and beautiful, so she moves to a new place, manufactures a past, and lives the life of someone wealthy and powerful until she has to move on for whatever reason: revolution, invasion, or just prying questions about why she’s still young and pretty while her friends are old and dead. Simon, do what you will with me. I’ll leave now. But, please, don’t deal with Ash.”
    While Nick talked, Simon strode across the sitting room, treading the worn carpet. He removed his coat and tossed it aside. He began to unfasten his cuffs out of habit. Nick watched him intently. Simon paused to open a window. The ragged orange cat strolled in past Simon, shooting him an angry glare. Penny reached out and stroked the feline, whose back arched with pleasure.
    â€œWhere are your tattoos?” Nick pointed at his former friend.
    Simon looked down at his muscular forearm where he had been rolling up the sleeve of his white shirt. He quickly slid the sleeve down and refastened it.
    Nick’s shock seemed to have knocked the alcohol out of his system. His voice was clear and worried. “Where are your inscriptions, Simon? What happened to you?”
    â€œWe’re not discussing me.” Simon turned back to the window. “You may stay, Nick.”
    â€œSimon,” Malcolm began to argue.
    â€œNo,” Simon said with an exhausted voice and held up his hand. “He is in danger, partly because he sought to protect me in the past.”
    â€œYou don’t believe any of that, do you?” Malcolm asked incredulously.
    â€œI have to.” Simon leaned against the window, silhouetted in the moonlight. “Otherwise, everything could be a lie. And I won’t have that.”

Chapter 4
    The next morning, Simon woke early and went out to his favorite coffee cart. He returned with a pot of coffee and a serviceable breakfast. Kate brightened as he entered the kitchen. Morning was her element. The dawn’s light illuminated the cherry tones in her hair until it sparked like fire. Her smile quickly faded as she eyed the lumps of greasy paper Simon pulled from the basket.
    She abandoned her search of the cabinets and the pantry for any food to prepare. “I was hoping you’d just buy a few eggs and some bread. I could have managed with those.”
    â€œNo need. These are a popular favorite here.”
    â€œDid you muck those off the bank of the Thames?” she asked, her nose wrinkling. “Now I know why Penny preferred to go to her own home last night. The fear of a Gaunt Lane