The Lord of Death (The Age of Dawn Book 2) by Everet Martins Read Free Book Online Page B

then, and then I’ll eat his guts and piss on his burning body.
    Feast. Eat. Bloods, we need, Blackout whispered.
    In time, he responded to the sword.
    In time, it echoed back.
    “This isn’t real,” he whispered, staring into the moon ray that cut across his face.
    Oh no, but it is, the sword replied.
----
    G rimbald dabbed a cloth in clear oil and massaged it into his treasured weapon. He was lost in the task, face relaxed and a slight smile touched his face. Walter watched him out of the corner of his eye, slabs of veiny muscle carefully wiping oil along the double-sided axe head.
    What I would give for that serenity, to get lost in a task again and forget the past’s horrors. Walter rubbed Wiggles, who sat dutifully by his side.
    They were back on the Temple of Meditation’s roof for Malek’s next lesson. The sun shone with renewed intensity, as if it too had its morning elixir.
    “The training will be severe,” Malek had said. Walter already felt a deep exhaustion, tempting him to close his eyes, just to rest them for a moment of course. The elixir wasn’t strong enough to combat the wariness one felt after wielding the power of the Phoenix. Dad knew how to make it good and strong. Sleep was like a black smith’s anvil crushing his brain, trying to force his eyes shut.
    Nyset laughed and Walter’s eyes snapped open. Malek touched her lower back as he guided her into a new position, waving with his other hand. Walter sat up in his chair and quickly pushed hair from his eyes. Malek caught Walter’s eye and his smile widened. Malek brushed his hand along her back and rested it in on her shoulders. Nyset seemed to have paid no heed to the gesture. Malek leaned into her ear and whispered. She laughed crisply and punched him on the shoulder. Walter felt his face burning, warmth tickling the backs of his ears.
    “Walter?” Grimbald said.
    “Huh?”
    “What’s wrong? You look like you’re ready to kill.” Walter’s eyes narrowed, boring a hole into Malek. Grimbald rubbed his face and put a hand on Walter’s shoulder.
    “It’s nothing,” he breathed. The color returned to his face and he relaxed his hands. It’s nothing, it doesn’t matter.
    “Remember, use your body to move the projectiles. The body and the mind are one, never forget it.” Malek said, deep voice carrying.
    “You can do it, you have it!” Walter shouted from his chair.
    Nyset nodded and wiped her brow. Malek threw a plate in the air, but it defied gravity. It zipped up, down, and then spun through the air like a vortex. Malek’s mouth formed a hard line and his eyes tracked the plate. Nyset’s first flaming disc went wide while the second was a bit closer, cutting through the air, leaving trails of smoke. Nyset raked her arm across her chest and the third disc curved in the air, cutting a narrow arc and landing in the roof’s low stone wall. The disc sizzled for a moment and vanished.
    “She’s doing it,” Walter said.
    “Get that little bastard,” Grimbald cheered.
    “Argh!” she barked, crossing her clawed hands before her. Two burning discs intersected in tight arcs, slicing the plates into pieces.
    “Hah! That’s it, you did it,” Malek clapped and hugged her. “Good thing too, we’re out of dinnerware.” Walter growled under his breath.
    She pushed away from Malek and set her sights on Walter. Her light eyes sparkled and she grinned widely. Her smile blew away the anger and he met her gorgeous eyes. She strode to him, hips swaying and drawing his attention. He embraced her and put his hands on her hips.
    “You’re amazing, even with all that stinking sweat,” he smiled.
    “I need a nap. I feel like I haven’t slept in days,” she said, taking a deep breath.
    Malek swept away the last of the plate fragments and scratched at his goatee. “What else do we need to cover? Walter, we reviewed basic wound healing and telekinesis. Nyset, we reviewed targeting, flame arrow and flame discs. Unfortunately, my