Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere Read Free Page A

scarlet. Night was coming. He stifled a yawn. “It’s been a long day, and we have much to do. Let’s get home and rest tonight. I’ll need to gather everyone to discuss our plans tomorrow.”
    “Of course. What are your thoughts?”
    The dragon king descended toward the stronghold’s streets.
    I’ve been following this prophecy blindly, trusting in the fact that my fate was being foretold. But I’ve seen too much for myself and I am starting to believe it. Our people crowned me as their prince. I have to prove myself worthy of the crown. I will show them what a real prince can do.
    “Tomorrow, we discuss finding Talonsphere, and when we journey to discover the ancients’ realm, Daessar.”
     
    Chapter 2 : Thirst Escapes Me
     
    “The balance of souls has been disturbed and the loss of Greenhaven is a setback. It matters not. They managed to wipe out an entire vampire army, but they’ve seen nothing yet.
     
    I cannot take Vampires’ souls and could sure use their reinforcement. Their deaths in Marithia only serve to weaken our power. We’ll regain what we lost, and bring their realm closer to merging with the underworld, where I will crush them under my fists like the ants they are.”
     
    (Shindar - Lord of the Underworld)
     
    C rondor, a town ravaged by a history of gruesome deaths, had far more graves than homes. It was known as a ghost town for more reasons than the lack of inhabitants. Vartan’s old ally, Tusdar, fled to this town in the hope of finding safety after the defeat of the vampire army and the failed attempt to keep Shindar in their realm. Since Tusdar had been turned by the now last of vampire royalty, Mestal, his heart had slowly darkened. At times, he felt his chest to see if a beat would waken him from the nightmare of his new existence.
    His life had changed more than he had ever expected, and in a direction he could never have foreseen. He wasn’t a towering man, built for battle, or born of noble blood, but being turned granted him more power than he could have imagined. He had been built for speed and stealth, his thin body perfect for a thief’s life. It had been a life that he had mastered. It mattered not anymore, as his powers changed his abilities. His pale skin was the only obvious change to his appearance, at least, when he was hiding his true self. His jet black hair complimented his skin tone beautifully, and he wondered why it had stopped growing.
    After a while, he accepted what he had become and resigned himself to fulfilling the role he had been fated with. He was Mestal’s chosen, and since proving his loyalty to Kassina, he was marked by Shindar himself. His grand plans of a life of kindness had been stolen from him. All he had left was to make the most of whatever existence he had, and that existence had its benefits.
    What if there is no such thing as evil, only difference?
    The abandoned house was littered with dusty furniture and wispy cobwebs. Beams of light shone through structural gaps. Tusdar paced beside their barred door. He listened intently to the hustle of Crondor’s people finishing their day. He rubbed his tired eyes and breathed deep before puffing out his frustration. Walking into a spider web, he grabbed the jet black arachnid and threw it to the ground, crushing it under his heel to a symphony of pops and crackles. The pleasure of taking life was something he had missed while on the run. As the spider’s insides trickled across the floorboards, he smirked and wondered when they would get their next feed.
    Mestal’s voice snapped his mind back to his task. “Did you hear anything useful?”
    Tusdar leaned against the wall, staring at his love, wondering when he would have the strength to tear her clothes from her and quench his hunger for her pleasures. He remembered when he first met her, and how her muscular body and strong features only barely hid her raw beauty and seductive nature. Her cherry lips and long black hair accompanied her bright,