Storms of Lazarus (Shadows of Asphodel Book 2) by Karen Kincy

Author:Karen Kincy [Kincy, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781620079164
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: 2015-07-28T23:00:00+00:00

Night fell on Königsberg. Hail bounced off the cobblestones and rattled on the roof of their sleek black automobile. Ardis peered out the window at the brick buildings, wrought-iron lampposts, and townspeople shielding their heads with umbrellas or newspapers. It hardly looked like a city under threat of invasion.

Wendel sat with his eyes shut, his cheek resting against the leather of the seat.

Ardis admired how handsome he looked in a black swallowtail coat and white waistcoat. They had both bought eveningwear suitable for tonight, though she was less fond of her gown. She smoothed the tangerine silk across her lap, then tugged her shawl around her shoulders. Gowns always felt too flimsy. She hadn’t bothered with gloves, jewelry, or heeled shoes, but had brought her sword in its scabbard.

To hell with the latest fashion.

“How close are we to the castle?” Ardis said.

Wendel didn’t even look. “Close.”

“Don’t be sarcastic.”

Wendel’s jaw tightened, and he opened his eyes to give her a cool look. “Go on without me.”

Ardis snorted. “You know Konstantin won’t like that. And he won’t leave you alone with Project Lazarus. Not after last time.”

Wendel glared out the window. “You know why I did it.”

“That doesn’t make it right.”

He drummed his fingers on his knee. “Sabotaging the Eisenkriegers accomplished nothing. I was foolish to think it would slow the war.”

“With the Russians knocking,” she said, “now we need the Eisenkriegers.”

“Need?” He stared into her eyes. “Do we need to find new ways to die?”

She didn’t look away. “That’s bleak even for you. I prefer to think of ways to survive.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Breathe,” she said. “Tonight won’t kill you.”

Wendel worked his jaw like he was chewing on his words. “I don’t want to go home. It isn’t home anymore.”

She reached across and clasped his hand. “I know.”

The automobile rolled to a stop. They glanced out the window.

Königsberg Castle loomed over the city. Its towers disappeared in the underbelly of the clouds. Ardis almost expected lightning to flash. The driver opened the door, and they stepped into the wind and the hail.

Ardis tucked her sword into the sash of her gown and faced the weather. “There’s Konstantin.”

The archmage hurried toward the doors of the castle. Himmel and Tesla followed him.

“Pardon?” Wendel said by her ear.

He obviously hadn’t heard her over the weather. She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the castle’s doors. The closer they walked, the tighter his grip became. Finally, she twisted her fingers free and winced.

Wendel didn’t notice, his stare locked on the castle. He faltered by the door, then pressed his hand to the wood and pushed it open, holding it for Ardis. She stepped inside, glancing at him as she passed.

She could see it in his eyes―the urge to run and not stop running.

“Wendel,” she said.

He blinked, lowered his head, and followed her into the castle. The door shut behind them with a resounding thud.

When Ardis looked around, she gasped.

She had been in one or two castles before, but none nearly as grand as Königsberg. The entrance hall stretched before them with walls paneled in mahogany and floors carpeted in Turkish rugs.

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