Viator (The Viator Chronicles Book 1) Read Free

did William say to him that long-ago day, something so memorable Gary would never forget it?
    The room was too hot and too loud. She needed to get out. She found Aleesha and convinced her to leave, and they drove the long way home to Anacortes in the wind and rain.

Chapter 2
    Gravel crunched under the tires as Aleesha turned the car into Erin’s driveway and drove past the apple trees. Wind blew through the branches, scattering the blossoms. As they stopped in front of the little house, Erin leaned over and hugged Aleesha. “Thank you, Leesh. I’m so glad you invited me.” They said goodnight, and as Aleesha drove away, Erin unlocked her front door.
    “Edna?” Erin spoke quietly so she wouldn’t wake the children. She walked to the living room and saw the older woman sitting on the couch, snoring softly with a closed book on her lap.
    Edna opened her eyes. “Oh, you’re home.” She sat up straight and smiled. “Did you have a nice time?”
    Erin sat beside her and patted her arm. “Yes, a great time. How were the kids?”
    “Good as always.”
    Edna had been a close friend and neighbor of Erin’s grandparents years ago when they had owned Erin’s house. After Erin had inherited the house and she and William had moved in, Edna had become a generous babysitter.
    Erin walked Edna the short distance home, and after returning she climbed the stairs and peeked in on the children. Matt and Gwen were sound asleep, so she went to her room and closed the door. She approached the corner of her bedroom and lit both candles on the small, cloth-covered table, and kneeling on the floor, she gazed at a photograph illuminated by the flames. The photo showed a smiling man sitting in a sailboat, a captain’s hat on his head. She touched it and whispered, “I’m so sorry, William.” She bowed her head and sank to the floor. After several minutes, she blew out the candles and climbed into bed.
    *****
    Erin raced over the moors, her dark hair streaming behind her as the wind and rain tried to force her back. She could hear nothing but the wind. Lightning streaked across the sky, flashing brightness across the wild land, and there, a little way ahead, she could see the shadow. A scream, and she knew she was close. She raced on, forcing her way against the storm.
    Suddenly all was black. Where was that girl? Erin slowed her pace. The lightning blazed again, and she saw the precipice at her feet. She caught herself, stopping at the ledge. The sound of the waves from far below roared even louder than the wind. Leaning over the edge, she called out, “Where are you?”
    “I’m here. I’m stuck,” the girl answered from below.
    “I’ll help you. Look—I think the moon is rising,” Erin called.
    A little moonlight gleamed through the streaming clouds showing the face of the cliff and the figure plastered against the wall below. Her wide eyes stared up at Erin, her pale face streaked with mud.
    “No, look out, behind you,” screamed the girl.
    Erin felt the icy darkness behind her and caught her breath. She turned and drew her sword. The mortifer loomed over her, the shape of a man shrouded in gloom. Its piercing eyes gleamed with hunger; its stench of decay nearly gagged her. She raised her sword. The shadow struck first, smashing her right arm. Erin fell, pushed down to her knees into the mud, her sword arm pinned by the dark creature’s foul blade. With her other hand she reached for the knife in her boot. It glittered in the moonlight as she pulled it from its sheath, and she thrust upward with all her strength. Her hand and arm froze as she struck, but her knife sliced through. The mortifer lurched backwards howling, and Erin leapt up, grabbing her sword.
    The shadow swung its blade hard, but she dodged and it missed. She thrust her sword full force into its shrouded darkness. With her frozen hand, she struck with her knife again. The mortifer dropped its sword and collapsed into the mud. Its wail shot through the