The Familiars #3: Circle of Heroes by Adam Jay Epstein, Andrew Jacobson Read Free Book Online Page A

kid brother,” said Banshee. “Is he old enough to have his own familiar already? I remember when he was just my height.” Banshee paused and looked around. “Speaking of, where are your loyals anyway? And what are you doing up here?”
    “You haven’t heard?” asked Skylar.
    “Heard what?” replied Banshee. “I live thousands of feet up in the air. Not a lot of news reaches me these days.”
    “There’s much that you’ve missed,” said Skylar. “Vastia is in terrible danger. A new Dead Army walks the land and we need you to join us to save the queendom. We have to collect a member from each of—”
    “Yes,” said Banshee.
    “—the seven descendants … Did you already say yes?” asked Skylar.
    “Uh-huh. Count me in.”
    “Don’t you want to hear what this is all about first?” asked Skylar.
    “Doesn’t matter,” said Banshee. “I’ve been waiting three years for a chance like this to redeem myself. Stuck in these clouds, alone with my shame. Feeling invisible even when I could be seen.”
    “Is this about Galleon?” asked Gilbert.
    “I should have done more. Kalstaff always taught us that it was a familiar’s job to help their loyal no matter what. And I just let him walk into that duel. All because of a silly crush.”
    “Sounds rather romantic to me,” said Gilbert.
    “Not when you consider what he lost,” replied Banshee. “His magic. His manhood. The trust of the people he had sworn to protect.” She paused for a moment before adding, “And me.”
    “What happened between the two of you?” asked Skylar.
    “After Galleon lost the disenchantment duel, I suggested we return to Stone Runlet to seek Kalstaff’s help. If there was anyone able to retrieve the vial of Galleon’s magic, it would be Kalstaff. But Galleon refused. He was too humiliated, and instead sent letters filled with lies. I couldn’t allow a wizard with such great potential to just waste it. Harsh words were spoken between us. Galleon disowned me as his familiar. He said he never wanted to see me again. So what was I to do? A familiar is bonded to one loyal for life. I couldn’t just head back to the shop in Bridgetower and find a new loyal. That’s when I came home.” Banshee took a breath and clapped her hands together. “Enough about that. What’s this ‘save the queendom’ business you’ve come about?”
    “You’re one of seven descendants that must be gathered around a Vastian glyphstone,” said Skylar. “We have to set out immediately for the Gloom Hills.”
    “Why would you ever want to go to that miserable place?” asked Banshee.
    “We must collect a bloodhound,” said Skylar.
    “Ah.” Banshee nodded. “Zabulon’s brother, Simeon.”
    “Yes. We were hoping to make it there before morning.”
    “I’ll have us there within the hour,” said Banshee. She strapped her drums to her back and let out a howl that lived up to her species’ name. Heeding her call, a gray-and-red moth the size of a river raft flapped out of the barnlike structure below. Within seconds, it was hovering just inches below Banshee and the Three.
    “Hop on,” said Banshee. “I hope none of you mind flying.”
    Gilbert’s eyes went wider than usual.
    “Um, actually, I had a very traumatic experience on the back of a tremor hawk,” he said.
    But the others were already climbing onto the giant insect, leaving Gilbert little choice.
    “This ‘majority rules’ thing is really not working in my favor.” He reluctantly joined them.
    “Elbara,” called a voice from one of the thatch huts. “Where are you going?”
    “The world is in danger, Mother,” replied Banshee. “I don’t think I’ll be back in time for dinner.”
    Aldwyn could sense the monkey’s renewed vigor as she grabbed the long reins that were attached to the moth’s head.
    “To the Gloom Hills,” Banshee howled, giving the reins a firm tug. The giant insect took to the sky, with even Skylar perched atop it for the ride.
    It didn’t