AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Hers, Aeyis acknowledged.
Vesara slid in front of him. “Don’t look so horror-stricken. The Abyss’s crime lord only keeps magical record of visitors for eternity.”
“Can we leave him a love note in blood?” Gireth asked with a smirk.
“You’re disturbed,” Vesara retorted. She sliced the pad of her thumb and pressed it against the wood. Latches on the other side creaked, and then the door swung inward into darkness.
They stalked the passage like vengeful ghosts, only slowing when low torches came into view, illuminating what appeared to be a dingy slum made up of canvas tents and short, black buildings.
“It’s like Cragnore on a bad day,” Gireth muttered, rubbing at his nose. “How far does this place go?”
“As far as the capital borders, from what I’ve been told,” Vesara said with a carefree wave of her hand.
Renton lifted a brow. “Does your king know?”
It was hard to believe Izral slept above such an expanse of illegal trade and crime.
“Izral’s not concerned,” she said, “not with the Embassy in his back pocket.”
“I thought the Embassy wasn’t permitted alliances,” Renton said.
Vesara’s pale blue eyes twinkled up at him. “Who’s going to stop them?”
They prowled the narrow walkways, catching wary glances from scarred and hooded shadows, until Aeyis stopped before a dimly lit stone building. Dripping beads masked the open doorway.
She’s inside, Aeyis said.
Renton’s blood pressure spiked in response.What’s she doing?
Receiving a sermon on the enlightenment found through dark magic inThe Tome of Ergh.
Great. Renton tossed aside the beaded curtain and stalked into the shop. Waning candles flickered in alarm, melting in sconces along deep purple velvet walls. He pressed on, entering a circular chamber draped in black-and-purple silk. Skulls dangled from the ceiling by frayed strings, still peppered with chunks of rotting flesh and greasy hair.
He clenched his teeth in disgust then met Gireth with a nod. The shopkeeper was Corrupt. Though the shard’s pulse in his heart was weak, the metallic tang lurked beneath potent layers of incense.
The shopkeeper’s head lurched up at her intruders. Soulless, black eyes glinted as they took in the bones on Renton’s armor.
That’s right. Eyes on me, he thought. What game do you want to play, beast?
His rush of anger flagged as Tenah’s eyes moved to him. Her feigned hatred didn’t bother him. Not when the subtle release of tension in her shoulders proved her relief at having aid close by.
Tenah had known exactly what she’d walked into. So why had she come?
“More customers? What will they haggle me about?” the Corrupt croaked, waving a tattered, yellow piece of parchment that reeked of copper. More than likely part of the tome she had been discussing with Tenah.
“Cut the shit. What did you plan to take from her in payment?” Renton demanded.
The shopkeeper grinned with black-stained teeth. Setting the parchment down on the barrel she and Tenah had crowded around, the shopkeeper motioned to the various body parts dangling behind her. A macabre display, one Renton was unfortunately familiar with in his line of work but would never acclimate to.
“Ew,” Gireth whispered, punching Renton’s shoulder. “I’ll knock her out cold while you all run.”
The Corrupt’s eyes snapped to Gireth as sludge dribbled from her mouth. She was deteriorating fast. Before the shopkeeper lashed out with claws, Renton buried his sword in her neck. Brackish blood splattered against Tenah’s neck and cheek. Her eyes shot wide open, and Renton’s chest tightened.
Shit. Maybe he should have been more refined with his approach.
Only when the creature had ceased movement did he kick it off his sword. He lifted his head to Tenah once more, prepared to start in on her, but she was gone and so was the page from the cursed tome.
Chapter16
