The Compass Key (Book 5) Read Free

understand.”
    The gypsy gets to her feet and eyes the man, noticing that there is a faint aura of power around him. She is about to speak when a new pain erupts in her mouth as if a spike has pierced her tongue. When she tries to close her mouth, the pain increases and she tastes blood. Reaching in with a few fingers, she feels that her tongue is stuck and its tip is twitching violently like a panicking worm.
    “It seems your tormentor has driven a small stake into your tongue and closing your mouth drives it deeper,” the man sadly explains with a heavy sigh. He looks to the ceiling of darkness as if he can see what is happening to Sari’s body. “This man claims to be doing experiments, but he is merely torturing you for his own pleasure. People like that are horrible and should never be born, but I guess good requires evil in order to exist. I hope you can endure this until he gets bored and your friends rescue you.”
    Sari frantically whips her hands through the air and creates an illusionary mouth on her forehead. It takes a deep breath before asking, “Who are you and why are you here?”
    “I am Crisus, god of loss and determination. I am also the husband to your patron goddess,” he politely answers in his dull, monotone voice. “Cessia is very upset about this turn of events and she asked me to visit you.”
    She suddenly feels the pain disappear and wipes away the magical mouth. “Where am I? Please tell me what is going on before something else happens.”
    “Your former lover has sided with your enemie s and handed you over to them. A man named Stephen is trying to uncover the secrets of your powers, but he is reveling in causing you pain. This is the deepest part of your mind where your sanity has retreated, so you are technically not real. You are merely the internal image of yourself, which is desperately trying to hold out until your body is rescued. The pain and injuries you are withstanding come from what this man is doing to you on the outside. I would not try to focus on them.”
    Sari crosses her arms and stares defiantly at the god. Falling to her curiosity, she closes her eyes to focus on the condition of her body. The first thing she notices is a blue metal ring that appears on her left hand. Magical warmth spreads throughout her body, making her giddy and ticklish. Her giggling stops as soon as her clothes begin to tear to pieces. Within seconds, her boots are missing, her skirt is tattered, and her shirt is covered in blood. Sari holds back her scream of pain when wounds materialize around her body, their ragged edges slowly knitting back together as new wounds appear. A sudden jerk on the side of her head removes an ear, which causes her to shriek and fall to her knees.
    “Crisus! Never tell a mortal not to focus on something!” a bellowing voice shouts from the shadows. “These foolish creatures always look when they should avert their eyes and focus when they should remain blissfully ignorant.”
    Gabriel steps out of the ice and reaches Sari with a few mighty strides. His black hair glistens almost as much as his ebony armor. The god of destiny glares at Crisus before kneeling next to the gypsy. He hums a gentle tune that changes Sari back into her healthy form. With an angry growl, Gabriel gets to his feet and points a finger at his fellow god.
    “I know Cessia sent you to check on the girl,” Gabriel says, barely holding back his anger. “She means well and so do you, but I do not want you to get involved. This situation is . . . ugly. I can barely stomach it myself. Yet, I assure you and your wife that it is necessary. I promise that this girl will come out of it in one piece.”
    “Physically or ment ally?” Crisus swiftly inquires.
    “I would prefer both,” the stronger god admits, ignoring the scared yelp from Sari. “I know what Stephen is capable of and he could break her mind if given enough time. He will not get this time because her friends are already on the