Dragon Soul (Daughter of Shadow Book 1) by LJ Swallow

Author:LJ Swallow [Swallow, LJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Emu House Publishing
Published: 2018-09-14T04:00:00+00:00

This town could be mine, but in so many ways is nothing like my home. A long road leads through the middle with buildings either side, until a crossroads is reached where a town square is set. I glance at the place the gallows are in my home but here there's nothing, just a broken fountain with no water running.

A gloom winds around the settlement, but not just from the oncoming night. The darkness isn't like the Ebon, but instead a heavy sadness that seems to hang in the air around. At this time, even with no fair, my town's streets would be filled with people talking or falling in and out of the tavern. Here, some figures huddle together, sitting against the stone buildings, but nobody walks by.

One of the guards with us walks over and speaks quietly. The pair pull themselves to their feet and slink away, around a corner. The guard points upwards. "The moon is almost at height. They must go inside soon. We have a curfew."

"Why?" asks Leander. "I thought you weeded out those who still had Ebon connections."

"We did, but we lock the town gates at night and keep everybody inside. The last Ebon came at night and hid for days, harboured by some in exchange for money," says the man. "Now anybody on the street past sundown is killed on sight. You’re lucky."

I tense. This place doesn't feel as friendly anymore. Rohan chuckles to himself, then winces.

Our group stop in front of a larger house on the outskirts of town, not far from the low wall between Seacrest and the plains leading across to the ocean. The house’s grey brick and ugly gargoyles looking down on us match the mood of the town, and I brace myself to see if the residents are the same.

A man appears in the doorway. He's tall and emaciated, and in the lantern light his skin has a green tinge. Dark hair is plastered to his head, and the same watery eyes as other townsfolk regard us.

“Sir.” Galen steps forward and the guards do too. "We have an injured lady with us. We're unsure she can make it to daylight without succumbing to her wounds. We have nowhere else to stay."

I'm half hidden beneath Leander's wooden cloak still, my face warm against the cold, and only my eyes and forehead visible.

"And what do you expect me to do?" the man rasps.

Leander remains straight and I'm confused why Rohan is so quiet. His back is to me and I can't see his reaction either.

Leander's voice is soft. "We need somewhere to rest. Perhaps you could find somebody who can help with the injuries."

“This is the High Lord Silvercrest,” adds Rohan with a sigh. “It would be in your interest to help us if you wish your town to remain safe.”

“Rohan!” Galen says. “That is not the way to find help from people.”

“This man knows the reality.” He crosses his arms.

A woman appears at the man’s shoulder. If it weren’t

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