The Heart of Alchemy by James Wisher (i like reading books txt) 📗

man. Allen pulled his mask off and tossed it aside. Maybe a boy would be more accurate. He looked about sixteen, if that.

A quick pat-down revealed no pockets in his black garb. They found nothing but his weapons. Downstairs, the woman—she looked a year or two older than her companion—had a similar lack of possessions. They didn’t even have a coin between them.

A door slammed and they both spun, swords drawn. The innkeeper glared at them. “What’s all the noise? Can’t a body get some sleep without you out-of-towners tearing the place up?”

“We were attacked,” Oskar said. “Perhaps you’ll recognize the people involved. Come take a look.”

Oskar’s tone brooked no refusal so the old man shuffled over to stare down at the dead woman. “Never seen her before.”

The boy upstairs drew the same response. They’d hit a dead end, literally.

Chapter 13

Wolfric and Jade sat side by side in his lounge, sipping wine and enjoying the roaring fire. The warm glow made her look even more beautiful in her black dress. She still wore the same simple, silver jewelry as that first night. He’d even offered to buy her something else as a gift and she declined, not wanting anyone to get the wrong idea.

And by anyone he assumed she meant Otto. Jade seemed much more at ease without him around. He supposed he couldn’t blame her. Even knowing him as well as Wolfric did, he couldn’t deny his friend had moments of… intensity, that some found disconcerting. For a young woman like Jade, meeting him for the first time, he fully understood how she might have been overwhelmed.

Still, all things considered, the luncheon had gone well. Nothing happened that led him to believe there was a problem. And her own behavior had been beyond reproach. Which made what he planned to do tonight even easier.

“I love you,” Wolfric said. “You know that, right?”

“I do, but a girl likes to hear it said.” She smiled, her lips glistening with wine. “I love you too. You are easily the finest man I’ve ever met.”

He slipped off the sofa and onto one knee. “Then marry me. We’ll rule the empire side by side.”

Her eyes widened and her hands shook. For a moment he feared she might say no. Then she slipped her trembling hand into his. “Yes.”

Wolfric reached into his pocket, pulled out a gold ring, and slipped it over her finger. It had two rubies flanking a large diamond. He’d wondered on occasion if he’d ever find someone to give it to. The moment he saw Jade, he knew he finally had.

“Oh, Wolfric, it’s beautiful.” She threw herself into his arms.

After a moment of enjoying the feeling of her wrapped around him he said, “It was my mother’s. Father gave it to her when he proposed. He always hoped I’d find someone I loved as much as he did Mother to give it to. I wish he was here to meet you.”

“I’m sure we would have gotten along, especially if he was anything like you.”

Wolfric smiled but didn’t point out just how different he and his father had been. There was no need to dredge up bad memories, not tonight. Not now.

He scooped her up into his arms. “I think it’s time to celebrate.”

“Mmm.” She groaned and kissed his neck. “I like that idea.”

Chapter 14

Half an hour before midnight, his battle gear—which consisted of his mithril sword and a fine dagger—strapped to his belt, Otto went to Annamaria’s room. Axel and the scouts were on patrol and would remain so until he returned. If he hadn’t returned by morning, they could assume he wasn’t coming back and neither was Abby.

Otto shook off the negative thought. No kidnapper, no matter how skilled, had the power to defeat him. He would find whoever perpetuated this insult and deal with him accordingly.

He turned down the hall to Annamaria’s room and found Corina in place in front of her door. She straightened at his approach. “I’m keeping close watch, I swear.”

He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Relax. If I didn’t trust you to do this job, I would have asked someone else. I doubt there will be any trouble, but better safe than sorry.”

Inside, Annamaria was huddled with Mimi. The latter had a swollen face and black eye from where she hit the floor. She started to stand when Otto entered but he gave a little shake of his head. He needed no empty gestures, especially from someone that had been through what she had.

“It’s time.”

“It’s still early,” Annamaria said.

“I need time to make the trip. Searching secondhand takes longer than if I could use my own connection. I’ve been patient, but there’s no more room for delay. If you want Abby back, now’s the time.”

Annamaria stood, grim and determined. She held out her hand.

Otto drew his dagger and looked at her. Once he would have happily driven it into her chest, now he simply didn’t care. No doubt his continued use of powerful magic had dulled his emotions further, just as Valtan had warned him it would. Tonight, that would be a good thing, helping him remain in full control.

A quick flick of the blade nicked her palm and a little trickle of blood oozed out. He smeared it on both sides of the blade and nodded. Mimi quickly bound the wound with a clean cloth.

“Bring her back to me,” Annamaria said.

Otto refused to make a promise he wasn’t certain he could keep. Instead he turned without a word and left the room. He passed Corina and made his way toward the stairs. The lights all burned in the dining room and sure enough he found Edwyn up and busy devouring a whole pie.

“You’re off then?” Edwyn said after swallowing.

“Yes. If I’m not back by dawn, send a message to the emperor. The war wizards will be able to find my body.”

“You’ll be back and with little Abby. I have no doubts.”

“I appreciate the vote of confidence.” He left Edwyn to