The Elder Blood Chronicles Bk 1 In Shades of Grey by Melissa Myers Read Free Book Online Page B

a wave of his hand, he worked magic. No fancy spell
casting like in the stories, just a simple wave as if he was
shooing a fly away. “Pretty, too, once you get the dirt off,” he
added.
    Victory looked up from the meat thoughtfully.
“Aye, Badger was a half-blood, and you are right about Maggie as
well.” He glanced at her and gave her a smile. “And your
point?”
    “My point is she doesn’t look mortal. Her
hair is more of a mulberry color than red, with a hint of purple.
Neither are colors I’ve seen on a commoner before. She doesn’t look
half-blood either, if anything she looks pure Elder Blood,” Havoc
spoke quietly. His gaze finally left her as he turned to regard
Victory fully.
    “Could be a throwback from Badger’s line.
Could be there was more to Maggie than he ever told us. I’m not
sure, Havoc.” He was slicing meat off the skewer now and carefully
handed her a plate. She looked thoughtfully at the food. She knew
she should eat, but her stomach still felt tied in knots. “Doesn’t
change what needs to be done though. Regardless, you are correct,
our path is not fit for a child, and we must make sure she is safe.
Be she Elder Blood, half-blood, or mortal, the Aspectvar is the
best option that I see. And I like the idea of the one at Bliss,
it’s out of the way, and she will likely be the safer for it.” He
handed another plate to Havoc and added in a quieter voice. “Your
observations do bear attention though. I’ll make a report to
Caspian before we leave her and follow through with whatever he
decides. It may be he will want her brought back to the Fortress.
Badger served there for at least twenty years before he retired and
I know Caspian was fond of him. He may want his daughter in sight
and as safe as we can make her.”
    Havoc gave a grunt and took a bite of meat.
He chewed a moment before speaking. “Aspectvar is probably better
than the fortress. That place would be worse for a child than
traveling with us. Certainly not fit for a girl.”
    “I’d rather go with you two,” she spoke
meekly. She hated the thought of being left with strangers, even if
they were priests. She watched them both closely for a reaction.
Victory’s was obvious remorse. Havoc once again was impossible for
her to read.
    “Our road is not a good one, child. We fight
often, and you would always be in danger were you with us,” Victory
said.
    “We will check out the Aspectvar close when
we get there. Then make our decision, if the priest isn’t to our
liking or the place doesn’t seem safe, we will find another
option.” Havoc’s words surprised her and Victory as well, by her
guess, if the way his head whipped around to look at his companion
was any indication. Havoc gave him a shrug and took another bite of
meat. “What? Badger was a friend, and I don’t like priests.” He
shook his head, and turned his full attention back to his meal as
if the matter was settled. Victory shook his head and shrugged at
her and began to eat as well.
    It was late the next day before they rode
into Bliss. The village was little more than a few scattered houses
sprawled near a crossroad. The Temple was the largest building and
stood out among the houses as a hawk would among sparrows. While
the other buildings had sod roofs, the Temple stood tall and proud
with clay shingles, and seemed a neat, orderly place. She could see
Fortune’s mark on the front of it, standing between two others she
didn’t recognize.
    “Love, Luck, and Healing. That’s a good
sign,” Victory said.
    “If you are a brainless twit. Give me
Protection, War, and Healing, and I’ll feel the better for it,
knowing that at least one in the building knows how to use a
blade,” Havoc replied, his tone dry.
    “For a child, I think love would be better
than swords, don’t you?” Victory replied mildly.
    “Depends on the love, I’ll have a good look
at this priest before we ride off. If he so much as looks at her
the wrong way, he’ll be a head