Tomb of Vampire (Kingdom of Blood and Ash Book 4) by D.S. Murphy

Author:D.S. Murphy [Murphy, D.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Urban Epics
Published: 2023-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

“Ow,” Zane said, rubbing his arm. He appeared out of nowhere, and I was disturbed he’d been able to sneak up on me at all. He looked about as I’d last seen him; dark skin, well-trimmed beard. His clothes were functional but slightly upscale. Comfortable but not cheap. I realized I didn’t actually know him that well, nor what he did for the citadel.

“Sorry,” I whispered. “I’m just anxious. Where’s Marcus?”

“Helping with the ceremony, he couldn’t get out of it. Apparently they needed all hands and then some. This is your scientist?” he asked.

“April,” she said, holding out her hand. Zane looked at it skeptically for a moment.

“So you’re smart and cute,” he grinned.

“She’s more of a tinkerer. Like you but without the resources.” I dangled my wrist to show off her craftsmanship.

“Anyway, we’ve got a lot to discuss. Come on, you don’t need to go to renewal, do you? Confess your sins? Be absolved?”

“I better wait till I’m finished,” I said. “Something tells me I’ll have a lot to apologize for tomorrow. If we survive that long.”

“That’s the spirit,” Zane said, though this time a flicker of worry crossed his face. We kept our heads low, heading away from the renewal center as everyone else was starting to progress toward it. Soon the streets were so packed it was like wading upriver.

“This was dumb,” April said. “We’re going in the wrong direction.”

“Only because Nigel moved the date of the ceremony. Nobody knew until last night. We’re not sure exactly what changed.”

“He was waiting until he had Damien. Out there, a lost prince was too big a threat. But now that he’s captured, he can confirm his own power.”

“But that was… days ago,” April said.

I tried to remember how long it had been since Denvato. More than a few days, but less than a week, I was pretty sure. And how long before that, since I’d killed king Richard? Another week maybe.

“That’s two weeks, since the last renewal ceremony, right?”

“The last one was canceled,” Zane said. “Nearly caused a riot, but Nigel said it wouldn’t be right to celebrate the covenant with its founder missing. He used to attend most of the ceremonies you know. Richard, I mean. Sometimes, once a year. Offering himself to his congregation.”

“He did that in Algrave, when I was chosen.”

I felt light on my face, so bright I squinted against it. The morning sun’s rays had crept above the walls and refracted off the shimmering glass around me, casting splinters of light that unfolded with hidden colors. The buildings in this area were more modern, and I had a feeling I’d been here before but couldn’t place us exactly. We’d gone around and behind the palace, into a series of upscale shops and office buildings made of glass and stone. A few more blocks and we’d be at the back ramparts, looking over the thick forests behind the citadel.

“It’ll be guarded,” Zane said, pushing a door open for us. “But not by soldiers. The king kept his sensitive research from prying eyes.

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