Tall, Dark & Apocalyptic Read Free Page B

head, Audie clamped down on a surge of anger, forcing himself to speak calmly. “I have new information that the elders need to consider before I complete my mission.” When the Sentinel still hesitated, Audie went on, “I assure you, the Huntsman will want to hear this information.”
    The Atlantan situated the tines of his trident before him and placed a hand over its pearl-covered handle, regarding Audie thoughtfully. “Tell me what you’ve come to report.”
    Audie shook his head. “This information is for the Huntsman’s ears only.”
    “Then you must leave.”
    Knowing he couldn’t leave without first speaking to the Huntsman, Audie did the only thing he could. He pulled his sword from the sheath at his hip and lifted it, preparing for battle. “I challenge you for entrance, Sentinel.”
    The big man laughed. “Are you mad?”
    Audie’s lips curved in a mean little smile, just before he struck.
    ~ TD&A ~
    Yeira slipped along the darkened wall, her weapon of choice clutched tightly in her hand. She was holding the ionic sword too tightly, the handle growing slippery with sweat as she moved closer to enemy territory, a clear sign that she was uncomfortable with her current mission.
    Not that she needed any more signs. Her heart beat a rapid, too-loud staccato in her chest.
    She didn’t like hunting prey so close to enemy lines. But in this case she had no choice. The fools had taken one of the reborn into their fold, treating him like one of their own.
    Through the darkness, on the other side of a high, rock wall, the clang of metal and the meaty sound of flesh hitting flesh told her there was a fight going on. She knew the Sorceri headquarters was protected by an Atlantan Sentinel, a fierce warrior whose size and power were vast even for his race. If someone was trying to get past the Sentinel he was most likely going to be denied.
    Sucked to be him. Or her. Yeira didn’t know too many women who’d be that stupid.
    She heard voices and stopped, sucking back into the shadows. Twenty yards away, two Sorceri walked along a sooty, brick wall, their heads bent together in deep conversation. They wore their off-white ceremonial robes and tall, black boots, the hoods of their robes pulled up to cover their heads. Despite the covering hoods, the damp wind caught at thick strands of long hair that looked dark in the low light, whipping it around their faces as they walked.
    She strained to hear their voices, wondering if one of them was the creature she sought. But she couldn’t hear anything over the surge and retreat of the water behind her.
    The surf at her back was violent, black with menace and smashing against the unfriendly shoreline as if angered by her presence.
    Above her, the night sky gave off a similarly angry vibe. A thick bank of clouds seemed to press downward, a menacing presence that brought the hairs up on the back of her neck and caused her to keep looking skyward.
    She recognized the repelling magics built into the atmospheric conditions. But the knowledge that magic was involved didn’t make the sense of impending disaster any easier to take.
    Footsteps sounded on the flagstones of the courtyard and the two hunters stopped to greet a third man as he joined them. Wearing the faded jeans and dark leather jacket of his time, Grimm Forbes shook the hands of the two men in robes. He was smiling widely, nodding as they wished him a safe journey across the water.
    Yeira smiled too, because her intel had been correct. And she was about to bag her prey.
    Cold, razor sharp metal rested against her throat and Yeira stilled, her fingers twitching around the hilt of her blade. “Drop the weapon and rise slowly, witch. And don’t even consider trying to use that blade, or I’ll slice your pretty throat before you complete the thought.”
    Blast! How had he managed to sneak up on her?” The damn surf had apparently masked his footsteps. Reluctantly loosening her grip on the ionic blade, Yeira