Dark Realm: Book 5 Circles of Light series Read Free Page B

than he appeared actually, but quite
a simple example of the species. ‘I can come with you now if you
like.’ She tucked her hand under his arm. ‘I’m here to find Seola
really. Have you seen her?’
    Ignoring her question
and trying very hard to hide his repugnance at her touch, Grent
escorted Gossamer Tewk to the rooms of his master, Waxin
Pule.
     
     
     

Chapter
Two
     
    Gossamer made her way
home that evening, deep in thought. She was much relieved to be
assured by Master Pule that the “dreams” she’d had recently were in
fact true sendings. He had been surprised though and told her he
would have to consider more fully what they might mean.
    Grent and Nenat would
be keeping watch for Seola’s appearance in the Citadel. Gossamer
realised no one had openly mentioned that Seola claimed to be from
the Dark Realm and she wondered if the others knew. Or had Seola
been teasing when she’d told Gossamer where she was
from?
    The smell of roast meat
wafted around her when she left the Merchant District and moved in
to the Artisan Quarter. Pule had told her he wanted her to travel
with Seola for a time, but had not made clear where that travel
might take her. He said the curse would hold, she would continue to
exist no matter how far from Kelshan she went.
    Gossamer had sought
Pule’s help soon after her murder – Snail the Embalmer had
recommended him – said he was very good at such things. But he had
been quite unable to trace the source of her curse and concluded
whoever had laid it upon her had predeceased her. In other words,
Gossamer had the last laugh. But Gossamer had not been amused. Pule
regretted also that he did not have the ability to release her into
full death, as she’d requested.
    Drengle List was a
similar case, although Pule discovered it was Drengle’s cousin who
had cursed him. The cousin died at the same time as Drengle: the
assassins making an unfortunate mistake in the excitement in a dark
alley. Lack of intelligence being an obvious failing in the List
family, Gossamer observed.
    Pule had given her a
sheet of paper to read while he chattered about his health and the
skills of the herb woman, Nenat. Gossamer had been about to ask if
he’d been wise to write what he had when the words vanished from
the paper. Grent had appeared from the kitchen offering her a bowl
of tea and then blushing in embarrassment at her scathing
glare.
    ‘I forgot,’ he
stammered, while Master Pule tried unsuccessfully to hide his
mirth.
    She’d patted Grent’s
hand. ‘The dead do not eat, drink or breathe my dear Grunt. Do try
to remember – it isn’t terribly difficult.’
    ‘The fact that my name
is Grent, not Grunt, isn’t too difficult to remember either,’ Grent
snapped back, causing his master a fit of breathless
wheezing.
    Gossamer made her way
through the wilderness of her garden and groaned as she heard the
clank of chains accompanied by loud moans. ‘Drengle!’ she shouted
as she entered the hall. ‘Do stop that ridiculous noise. There’s no
one anywhere near enough to hear you.’
    ‘I’m practising.’
Drengle’s reply echoed down the staircase.
    Gossamer went through
the ground floor and sat on the steps leading down from the kitchen
door. She watched the shadows gathering among the overgrown bushes.
Three or four ghosts drifted forlornly beside an ancient apple
tree. Drengle’s shuffling steps sounded behind her. At least, she
thought, he’d left his damn chain upstairs.
    ‘Did you find that
woman?’ he asked, sitting beside her.
    ‘No, but she is
expected here sometime soon.’
    ‘You been to Snail’s,’
he remarked brightly. ‘You look good.’
    ‘Why thank you Drengle,
I’m surprised you noticed.’
    Drengle nodded. ‘I do
notice things. I’m good at that. Thought you were beginning to look
a bit off.’
    Gossamer ignored that
comment. ‘I might go travelling for a while when Seola turns
up.’
    Drengle stared at her.
‘Ooh I wouldn’t. She scares me. I