The Black Tattoo by Sam Enthoven

Author:Sam Enthoven
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: London (England), Sports & Recreation, Fiction, hell, Martial arts, Demonology, Europe, Science Fiction, Horror & Ghost Stories, supernatural, Humorous Stories, Magic, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, People & Places, & Magic, Action & Adventure - General, England, Action & Adventure, Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9), General, Fantasy, Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction, Sports & Recreation - Martial Arts, Children's 12-Up - Fiction - General
ISBN: 9781595141330
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2008-01-15T08:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

I am Ebisu Eller-Kong Hacha'Fravashi," the Emperor announced, sitting up on his throne. "God of Rulers, God of the Dead, God of Darkness, God of Gods, I am the Voice of the Void, whose breath is the wind and whose rage makes all worlds tremble. I am the Lord of Crossing-Places, the King of All Tears, and the Suzerain Absolute of the Dominions of Hell."

"Esme," said Esme. She was standing in the throne room, in almost the exact same spot where Jack had stood when he'd arrived. "So," she added, "you're in charge here."

The Emperor's gaze narrowed and sharpened. "Yes," he said dryly. "I am in charge here. And what brings you to Hell, if you please?"

"I've come for the Scourge," said Esme.

"Really?" said the Emperor without much interest. "Why?"

"I'm going to recapture it and put it back in its prison," said Esme.

The Emperor's eyes went wide.

"Oh, but this is fascinating !" he said, clapping his cloven hands.

"I'm glad that makes you happy," said Esme. "Now tell me, please. Where's the Scourge?"

"I'm afraid," said the Emperor, slowly and with relish, "that if you want a favor from me, you'll have to fight for it."

Esme looked at him. "What?"

"I won't let you see the Scourge without my permission. And if you want my permission..." The Emperor trailed off, smiling delightedly.

Esme blinked, then took a step toward the throne. "Fine," she said. "I'm ready."

"We shall see," was the reply.

Suddenly, Esme found she couldn't move. Some kind of jelly stuff seemed to have slithered up over the sides of the red carpet and trapped her feet. Already it was climbing up the legs of her combat pants. In another second it had pinned her arms to her sides and was slopping up over her shoulders.

"You will be taken to the gladiator pits," said the Emperor, sitting back on his throne, "together with the rest of the supplicants."

"I confess," he added, as the stuff covered her completely, then stiffened, ready for transport, "I can't wait to see you in action."

He gestured with his cloven hands. Esme disappeared.

Alone on his throne, the Emperor smiled. Really, the next day's action in the pits might prove the most diverting in a very long time.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.