The Last Guardian Rises (The Last Keeper's Daughter) by Rebecca Trogner Read Free Book Online

pocket. I need to face this. I need to tell him.
    “I know you’re busy with…” Hunter looked down the hall to the two royal guards standing in front of the king’s study. “… king business. Look, I don’t want to waste your time, just wanted you to know that Meirta and I need to change our travel plans.”
    Merlin’s thoughts tonight were capricious and refused to be tamed and though he heard Hunter’s words he found himself looking down the wide hall, past the masterpieces precisely aligned on the walls like parade soldiers and over the Persian carpets that kept their footsteps from echoing, until his eyes landed on Krieger’s personal guards who were standing still as statues outside the study doors. They were the king’s constant companions, menacing, with eyes sharp and penetrating and ever vigilant as a hawks. Krieger had once explained to Merlin that these two men had been with him since he was a boy. They’d taught him how to fight, protected him in battles, and helped him to survive into manhood. After Krieger became vampire, he found and turned them. Did he ask if they wanted to continue on with him as vampires? Or had Krieger demanded? Of everyone, himself included, Merlin thought the king trusted them the most, though Merlin had never heard their names.
    Hunter’s awkward cough brought him back to the present moment, but just before he let go of his contemplation he thought of Bleheris who even in death still remained by his side. He knew, sooner than he wanted, that would be his lot, to be the silent and invisible voice behind the man.
    “Why?” Merlin asked automatically.
    “It’s probably nothing, but there was a cave-in of a mine in Australia. The miners are all dead. Some of the reports suggest they were exsanguinated. Instead of flying over to London with you and the king, I thought Meirta and I would detour to Australia first.” Hunter shuffled his feet. “I mean, those artifacts of Dr. Toolley’s aren’t going anywhere and this Australia incident…well, it could be our rogue.”
    Rogue. Merlin liked the term Hunter had come up with to identify the dark force they felt. The force that may have moved between the gates.
    “Tell me, do you truly believe in the gates?” Merlin liked Hunter, and was genuinely curious to hear his response. As he expected, Hunter guarded his expression and retreated behind it. “Never mind.” Merlin was too fatigued to play with the detective. “I will not be attending council, but I will convey your change of plans to the king.”
    “Great.” Hunter turned and took a few steps. “Thanks,” he mumbled and left.
    “Do you want me to wait for you?” Rohm asked as they resumed walking.
    It didn’t take long until they were standing outside Krieger’s study. The king’s guards stared above their heads and showed impassivity at Merlin needing help.
    “No.” Merlin steadied himself. “Go on to your Glenda.”
    “The king does not want to be disturbed,” a guard said.
    Merlin ignored the guard and instead watched Rohm saunter down the corridor looking like he had not a care in the world.
    “Let him in,” Krieger’s voice boomed from behind the closed doors. Which were immediately opened by the guards. Merlin scraped up enough energy to walk inside.
    “Anything?” Krieger asked, with his back to him.
    “Something that might be helpful.”
    Krieger spun around and took in his unkempt appearance. “You look like shit.”
    “So I’ve been told.”
    Krieger lifted an eyebrow. “The night air will do you good.”
    “The storm,” he protested.
    “Has passed over the mountain.”
    Merlin struggled to match Krieger’s long strides as they walked through the gardens of Stoke. His shoes were quickly soaked through from the wet grass, and the spring blooms blown from the cherry trees stuck to the tops like confetti tossed at a parade.
    “The Others are nervous,” Merlin said.
    Krieger didn’t acknowledge his words, but kept an even pace