The Men of Otherworld: Collection One by Yasmine Galenorn Read Free Book Online

“Are you with the OIA?”
    “Never you mind. Get yourself something to write with—just do it.”  
    Chase held up what Trillian recognized as a writing instrument called a pen and a pad of paper. Trillian was acquainted with pens, so he just nodded. “Good. Now you tell Camille this: Rumor has it something big is going down in the lower depths. There’s a new ruler, and he’s far more ambitious than than the Beasttägger was. Don’t count on help from home.” He paused, asking Chase to repeat the message back to him.  
    Chase did, then asked, “Is that all?” He sounded disgruntled, but he was paying attention. He seemed to sense Trillian’s urgency.  
    “No, tell Camille that Shadow Wing’s in charge now. And he’s on the warpath.”
    At that moment, there was a sound from behind him, and Trillian turned to see Sephreh standing there, staring at him. Without a word, he stood and followed the Captain back to his office, Darynal behind him.

    “ You are banished from the city for three moon’s time,” Sephreh pointed to Darynal. “Go, now, and be glad I don’t toss you in jail.” He waited silently until the Svartan clapped Trillian on the shoulder and left the room.  
    “Don’t let them stop you, man. Look me up when you get back.” Darynal grinned, waving as he exited the door.  
    Trillian knew where to find him, so he merely raised a hand in farewell. As soon as his blood-oath brother had left the room, he turned back to the Captain. “If you’re going to flog me or flay me or whatever else you’d like to do, get it over with.”
    “I cannot believe the effrontery…the gall…” Sephreh sputtered for a moment, then a crafty smile crossed his face. “Oh, I won’t flay you or flog you. No. You want so bad to watch over my daughter? To talk to her? Good luck. I doubt she’ll give you the time of day.”
    “What do you mean?” Trillian cocked his head to the side.
    “You want to find her? Then go. Through the portals, you demon. Go over Earthside and see how long you last. Go tell my daughter I sent you as a messenger boy, to watch over her if she wants the help.” Sephreh paused, then—with a glance at his office door—added, “You’re right. Shadow Wing is on the rise. We’ve been aware of this for awhile, but there are so many facets we cannot do anything openly about it. There’s already been trouble over Earthside and my girls are involved. So go, Svartan, and keep an eye on what happens to the portals over there. If my daughter will talk to you, fine—her choice. If not, you have your new orders. I give you a chance in hell that Camille will ever speak to you again. She knows her duty. I trust her to remain true. My guess is you’ll be dead in no time. You can’t make it over Earthside. I was there years back, and it’s far harder now. An arrogant turncoat like you? I give you thirty days, tops, before somebody kills you.”
    Trillian extended his hand. “I wager you a bet, Sephreh. If I survive that long, you shake my hand and buy me a beer. If not, you win.”  
    Sephreh stared at Trillian’s fingers. He let out a soft snort. “I’ll never sully my flesh by touching yours. My daughter may have been a fool, but trust me, she’s come to her senses. Now go. And if I don’t hear that you reported to Milligan at the portals by sunset, your head is forfeit and you will die. Go and good riddance.”
    As Trillian turned to leave the office, he realized the captain had played right into his hands. With a soft laugh, he whispered, “I take your bet and raise it, Sephreh. Not only will I find Camille, I guarantee you this: I’ll never lose her again.”  
    His heart skipped a beat as he headed for the portals. His family be damned. Sephreh be damned. He was on his way to see his love. They were bound by a ritual as old as time, and the hidden tattoos that lurked beneath their skin would hold them together forever.   And this time, nothing in the world could keep them