Reishi Adept (Book 7) by David A. Wells

Author:David A. Wells
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Alexander Publishing
Published: 2014-09-16T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

Alexander thought of Isabel and found himself floating over one of many enclosed wagons in the center of a legion of soldiers traveling toward the coast of Karth along a well-trodden jungle road. He moved inside the wagon and found Isabel alone and staring out the window. The look of worry creasing her brow tugged at his heart. He wanted to take all of her angst and fear away, but was powerless to do so. He appeared in the seat across from her.

“Hi,” he said.

She forced a smile past her anxiety.

“I’ve missed you,” she said, struggling to hold back tears.

“I know how you feel.”

“I’m afraid, Alexander. So much has happened. It feels like we’re losing.” Tears began to flow down her cheeks.

“Isabel … you’re a prisoner of the enemy and he only tells you what he wants you to know. Of course it looks like we’re losing from where you’re sitting, but we’re not.”

He held her eyes firmly, willing her to find her courage. She sniffed, wiping her cheeks.

“Talia is mounting an invasion of northern Andalia, and our fathers have chased the Lancers back into Warrenton. Rake is dead, and your brothers have his men on the run. Abigail has managed to convince a dragon to fight with us, and I’ve buried the Nether Gate under a thousand tons of rock. Also, Wren has arrived at the fortress island … she’s safe.” He didn’t mention the invasion of Fellenden, the destruction of Blackstone Keep, or Peti’s usurpation of Zuhl’s army. Isabel had enough to fret about without him adding to her worries.

She nodded, detaching herself from her emotions, her colors changing subtly as she refocused her mind.

“That’s all good news, but Phane’s been busy too,” she said. “He’s figured out how to use lesser wraith to power his wraithkin so he can free up Azugorath to focus all of her energies on me, and it’s working. I can feel her strength growing and her attacks are becoming harder and harder to resist. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time. And that’s not the worst of it.”

“Tell me,” he said gently, wishing for all the world that he could touch her.

“Phane has the final keystone,” she said like a pronouncement of doom. “We’re headed for the Nether Gate right now.”

“We knew it was only a matter of time,” Alexander said. “Honestly, I think that helps us.”

“How can you possibly say that?”

He sighed. “I wish I could explain my thinking in detail, but I can’t risk Phane learning our plans.”

She nodded, looking down at her feet for several moments.

“He made Horace into a shade,” she whispered.

Alexander closed his eyes, a thrill of fear and revulsion racing through him. Of all the things she might have said, that was the least expected and the least welcome.

“And he used me to do it.”

“Oh, Dear Maker, Isabel, I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”

“Not really,” she said. “Somehow he’s figured out how to access the darkness within me and use it for his

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