The Locksmith by Howe Barbara;

Author:Howe, Barbara;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: IFWG Publishing International
Published: 2019-06-19T08:11:01+00:00

We floated downward into the volcano as if we were autumn leaves drifting towards the ground. The enormous crater, miles across, into which we descended looked like nothing I had ever seen or even imagined before. There was no grass, no trees, nothing green or living anywhere in that vast expanse. It looked like Hell.

Why was I not afraid of falling, when I had been so dizzy on my own with both feet planted firmly on the ground? Was it because I trusted the Warlock? If things went bad, he couldn’t save me from the Office. Maybe I was so terrified of what would happen when we landed, that nothing more could scare me.

As we sank, the Warlock said, “As best I can describe it, the test we will be using feels like someone rummaging around in your mind, watching your most embarrassing memories. It is a galling invasion of privacy, but it feels slightly different for everyone who has gone through it. I experienced it as quite rude pushing and shoving, and I came out flaming the warlock who performed it on me. Celeste described her experience as being groped by a drunken soldier.

“The probe is a specialised form of mind-reading, but it looks strictly for magical talent, or traitorous intent. We are not interested in the boy you kissed at age fifteen under the apple tree.”

I was sixteen, and it was behind the church. My cheeks burned before I realised he was making an educated guess.

“Or the petty sins you confessed to your pastor. If, however, those experiences involved any magical talent, we will see them. It will also stir up a number of old memories, some bad but some good, and you will have nightmares for several weeks afterwards.”

The nightmares I was already having weren’t bad enough?

Farther down, he sucked in his breath. “I forgot about René. I should have sent him back down to the Fortress after hearing his version of the event. He should not have had to hear all that.”

On the other side, Arturos rumbled, “Maybe not so bad. You’ve giving him a first-hand demonstration of the need for control. Might do him more good than all my lecturing.”

We landed, and the Warlock led us into a narrow tunnel. “A lava tube,” he said. “Do not touch the sides; the rocks will cut like broken glass.”

A few yards in, the tunnel opened out a bit wider, and the Warlock motioned for me to stand in the middle of the wide spot. There was no air movement. I tugged at the neckline of my dress. Five minutes in there and Arturos would have to dry me off for the third time.

Arturos stood in front of me, hefting his wand and blowing out through his moustache for a bit, before nodding and saying, “I guess I’m ready.” He reached down and tapped on the floor of the tunnel. Cracks opened and a fiery pentagram surrounded my feet.

The Warlock said, “While the pentagram is there, Miss Guillierre, do not attempt to step out of it.

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.