Slater (Hengist: People of the Horse Book 4) by Gray Jacky

Author:Gray, Jacky [Gray, Jacky]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2014-11-21T05:00:00+00:00

18 – Betrayal

Slater was trapped, tethered to the tall stone in the centre of the sun temple. No visible ropes or chains bound him, but an unknown force secured him just as effectively. He had never been so scared in his life. The lack of people heightened the menace of the solemn chants. It sounded like many voices united in prayer. The rays from the setting sun blinded him but, try as he might, he could not move his head to look away, nor close his eyes.

Lowering his gaze to reduce the glare, he saw his jacket had been replaced by a long white robe. Something even more worrying caught his attention. A huge, dark shadow crept toward him, full of malevolent intent. He could not see it properly but his gaze snagged on the glimmer of silver at the top.

With mounting alarm, he recognised it was unnaturally tall for a man, but not for a man with his arm raised, holding a dagger ready to plunge in Slater’s heart. Every muscle in his body tried to prepare for action as the blood pumped round, urging him to flee the danger. His head pulsed with a frantic energy as the shadow came so close he could almost feel the man’s breath. Then, three things happened.

The chanting stopped, to be replaced by a scream of terror which came from his own lips. The black shadow touched his heart, and the sun boiled red with his blood.

‘Slater. You must awaken.’ The voice was urgent as a hand shook his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he felt the cold, hard stone beneath his cheek; he had collapsed while sitting in the priest’s seat.

‘What happened to …?’

‘There is no time, the sunset rite must begin. Come.’

Slater rose unsteadily to his feet, once more a vision had damaged the balance connections to his brain. Mondilla took his arm, leading him toward the ring-stone which they encircled three times. The chanting of the villagers grew louder and Slater looked in vain for Diltan as Mondilla guided him widdershins around the inner ring.

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