The Hungering Flame by Andrew Hunter Read Free Book Online

exposed.
    “ Master Krauss! ” Marla said, “ I’m glad to see you again. ” Garrett heard a little tremor of uncertainty in her voice.
    “ Why are you here, m’lady? ” Krauss demanded.
    “ I... I was helping my friends to escape the twilight city, ” she said. Her eyes went to Garrett.
    Krauss turned and stood in one fluid motion. He reached up and yanked the scarf from his face, and Garrett staggered back at the sight of long white fangs and golden eyes full of rage. “ You dare endanger her! ”
    Garrett threw up his hands defensively, stumbling back another step, but suddenly Cenick stood between him and the vampire. Cenick’s hands were on the pommels of his knives, though the blades yet remained in their scabbards on his hips.
    “ Krauss! ” Cenick shouted, “ Control yourself! ”
    The elder vampire hissed, his jaws opened, unnaturally wide.
    “ Krauss, ” Max said, his voice cool, “ remember that you are among friends. ”
    The vampire glared at Max .
    “ This boy is one of us, ” Max said, “ and you will address any grievances you have with me. ” His smile alone remained amiable.
    Krauss flexed his jaw, and his lips closed around his long teeth. The vampire’s golden eyes fell upon Garrett once again, his scowl a silent warning. He turned again to Marla. “ Have you been injured, my Lady? ”
    Marla was standing now. The stone bowl, upturned, dribbled glowing green essence onto the ground at her feet. “ I’m all right, ” she said, “ I’m sorry to have disobeyed, but I thought it best you receive the news of what is happening back in the city. ”
    “ And what is happening there? ” Krauss asked.
    “ The sisterhood believe your army destroyed, ” she said, “ They have moved against the necromancers. They will send no more supplies or reinforcements ”
    Krauss sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. “ That does not surprise me. I know you meant well, but you should not have come. If anything had happened to you... ”
    “ I’m all right, ” she said, “ and we’re safe now. ”
    “ No, ” Krauss said, “ we are not. A new legion has crossed the border, and they carry with them the banner of the Inquisition. ”
    “ Whose sigil does it bear? ” Max demanded.
    “ Twin hammers crossed over a flame, ” Krauss said.
    “ Prex! ” Max laughed, “ The fates have delivered me Johann Prex! ”
Chapter Five
    Cenick led Garrett and Prince Cabre away, hustling them back toward the piles of equipment and supply crates.
    “ Who is Johann Prex? ” Garrett asked.
    “ He was the inquisitor that oversaw the cleansing of Max’s homeland, ” Cenick said, “ Max won’t hear anything you say right now. His ears ring with the vengeful cries of his ancestors. ”
    “ Surely, ” Cabre said, “ you must see that our only chance of defeating the Chadiri is to join forces? ”
    Cenick grasped the prince by the shoulder and backed him against a stack of crates. “ Max Zara hates your father almost as much as he hates the enemy, ” Cenick said, “ He will not listen, any more than your father would agree to joining forces with us. ”
    Prince Cabre spat a curse. “ I’ve lost good men, friends I’ve known since childhood... They died for me, for my one chance to bring our nations together! I will not dishonor them by giving up now! ”
    Cenick released his grip on the boy’s shoulder and sighed. “ I would that fate had made you the king of Astorra. ”
    “ And I wish that you were the general of the Gloaran army, ” Cabre said.
    “ Isn’t there something we can do? ” Garrett asked.
    Cenick bowed his head and closed his eyes in thought. A moment later, he looked at Cabre again and then at Garrett. “ I think I have an idea, ” he said. He drew a heavy Neshite dagger from his belt, one marked with his name-rune. He handed it to the prince.
    “ This is my bond, ” Cenick said, “ my word to you. I am an officer in the army of the dead. Nearly four hundred blades