The Last Summoning---Andrew and the Quest of Orion's Belt (Book Four) Read Free

reflecting from the mirrors, splitting
in twos, threes, and fours, creating more and more until the room
was filled with hundreds of The Shade’s own shadows. “Morack, do
not suppose that you can lie to the one who created lies in the
first place. I gave you the power to speak deception, and I can
take that gift back. You may deceive the people with your trickery,
but I, who am the master of such arts, can see right through you.
You did not see Lancedon burn. Sources tell me that a lightning
storm caused you to turn tail and run for your own pitiful life,
before you saw the fire consume your captives.”
    “They are dead!” Morack huffed, shaking off a
shadow that was twirling its dark finger round his mustache. “You
don’t understand. It wasn’t just any lightning storm. It was as if
the gods themselves were making war on the whole city. It was
dangerous. I was nearly struck by a bolt, myself.”
    “So you ran?”
    “Only after I was sure that Lancedon’s death
was certain. I saw the fire with my own eyes. It was devouring the
platform on which they both stood. There was no way for them to
escape. You can look for yourself. Nothing remains.”
    The Shade grabbed Morack’s collar and pushed
him against a mirror, shattering it into a million pieces. “You
were certain? Don’t you know that nothing is certain. Especially
when it comes to your nephew. You, of all people, should know that.
You’re a fool in love with your own reflection. Nothing in life is
certain. NOTHING. Not even your own life.”
    “Please,” Morack pled, struggling against The
Shade’s strong grip. “You don’t understand. Lancedon was chained to
a post. He was surrounded by flames. There was no way he could have
escaped.”
    The Shade laughed and his shadows swirled
round the room in swarms. “But he did.”
    “It couldn’t be.”
    “Yes, it is true. Your nephew is…alive.”
    Morack’s face turned white. “Oh my,” he
gasped. “There was no way he could have survived. How did this
happen?”
    The Shade lifted Morack above the ground by
his collar, and then dropped him to the floor. “It happened because
you are frightened of your own shadow!” The Shade let out a shrill
laugh, shattering all the mirrors in the room.
    “No!” Morack yelped, crouching on the floor,
as the glass fell around them like sharp rain.
    “Stand!” The Shade ordered. “You really are
pitiful, Morack. Pitiful.”
    Morack stood up slowly and brushed the broken
glass off his clothes, trying to retain some dignity, as he glared
at The Shade. “Me pitiful? Ha. Well I don’t see how a shadow, such
as yourself, can get any more pitiful than you. Just look at
yourself. You don’t even dare step out into the sun.”
    The Shade’s voice grew quiet. Yet even in a
whisper his voice was piercing. “That’s because I don’t have to.
Now listen Morack, and pay attention this time. What matters now is
that you find Lancedon before he makes any more trouble---that you
get rid of him before he causes the people to forget which side
they are on.”
    “He’s not the threat he used to be,” Morack
reminded The Shade. “He’s blind. Blind! No one could possibly
listen to a blind man.”
    “That’s what you think. As long as he has his
voice, he is dangerous!”
    “Really,” Morack argued, “there’s no need to
worry. Even if I turned a hundred such men loose, no harm could be
done. I’m sure of it. I have trained my people well. Before long he
will be weeded out.”
    The Shade stood above Morack’s trembling
figure, stern and unyielding. “I have heard your promises before,
Morack. And they mean very little to me. Find your nephew, or I
will make sure that you will really be afraid of your own
shadow.”
    “You wouldn’t turn my own shadow against
me.”
    “I would.”
    “Please. I’ll do anything you ask.”
    “Then, find your nephew, and get rid of
him!”
    “I will. I give you my word.”
    The corners of the Shade’s mouth turned