Fated_An Alex Verus Novel by Benedict Jacka

Author:Benedict Jacka [Jacka, Benedict]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780748124916
Publisher: Hachette Littlehampton
Published: 2012-02-29T23:00:00+00:00

If Morden was bothered by the sight of three Dark mages a hair’s breadth from attacking, he gave no sign of it. ‘Good morning, all of you.’ His voice was pleasant, and he held his hands clasped behind his back. ‘Cinder, Khazad, I’d prefer if you attempted no attacks.’

‘You said it was clear!’ Cinder hissed at Khazad under his breath.

‘I said we should go! If you hadn’t screwed up—’

Deleo made a quick motion and Cinder and Khazad fell silent. All three seemed to have forgotten me completely, their attention locked on Morden. ‘Master Morden,’ Deleo said levelly. ‘I don’t think this is your concern.’

‘Oh, don’t take it personally, Deleo.’ Morden sounded quite friendly. ‘You’ve done very well. But now it’s time you came with me.’

‘Thank you for the offer,’ Deleo said, her voice carefully controlled. ‘The answer is still no.’

Morden smiled then, just slightly. ‘I’m afraid you’re under a misconception, Deleo. This time you’re not being given a choice.’

Deleo stood quite still. Khazad took a pace forward, and his voice was soft and deadly. Black energy flared around his right hand. ‘There’s three of us and one of you, old man.’

I craned my neck, trying to look around, but Morden seemed to be alone. I wanted to run but knew any movement would draw everyone’s attention. ‘Yes, yes,’ Morden said tolerantly. ‘Bravado is all very well, but please realise you’re in no position to argue. Now, I’m quite impressed you were able to detect the carrier ward, but if you think for a moment you should realise there must be many more, and quite frankly, at your level of ability—’

‘Shut up!’ Khazad said with a snarl. ‘I can see your ward! It’s nothing!’

Morden sighed. ‘Do pay attention, Khazad. As I was saying, behind that ward are many others, and all of you are well within the blast radius. I’d prefer to do this peacefully, but—’

‘Del,’ Cinder rumbled.

Deleo hesitated, then made a swift motion. Cinder darted left, and energy flared up around Khazad as he drew back to strike.

The entire area vanished in a black wave. A light-eating pulse swept over all of us, nauseating and weakening and dazing me all at once. I felt my strength fade, and crumpled to the ground.

There was a moment of silence, then as if from a distance, I heard Morden speaking. His voice seemed to be fading, growing fainter and fainter. ‘They always have to learn the hard way, don’t they? Pack them up and make sure they’re still alive.’

There was more, but I didn’t hear it. Blackness swallowed me, and everything went dark.

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