Wraithbound by Tim Akers

Author:Tim Akers
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fantasy, Epic, Dark Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Fiction
ISBN: 9781982192556
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2023-04-04T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

The gray-cloaked man summoned his spiritblade with a snap of his fingers, as though he were trying to get the attention of his lax butler. The sword formed from a cloud of slate chips, each one shuffling out of the air to clatter into place like a card trick. As magical swords went, it was unimpressive. Just a length of gray slate, its edge scalloped and rough, the hilt and pommel all the same piece of rough-worked stone. Runes ran the length of the fuller in the blocky sigils of the earth realm. But it would still kill him, if Rae let it get too close.

The stonebinder stalked toward him. Rae stumbled away, lame leg giving out with each step. He tried to keep his lightning blade at the guard, but the sword seemed to have a mind of its own, and kept shuddering and jumping in his hand. Ragged flesh throbbed with mind-numbing pain, and it was all Rae could do to get breath into his lungs, but none of that registered in Rae’s mind. His eyes were locked on the slowly settling plume of debris beyond the makeshift wall. His sister’s scream echoed through his head.

La, La, what is happening? First Mom and Dad, now you . . .

Everyone’s dying. Everyone except me.

“There’s nowhere left to hide, boy,” the stonebinder growled. Even his voice sounded like gravel. “Your family. Your friends, all dead, and all because you had the audacity to run.”

“Fall apart, you damned monster!”

“Stubborn child,” the stonebinder hissed. He closed his fist, gesturing toward Rae. There was a burning sensation in the jagged rash of his leg, and then the gravel embedded in his flesh started to squirm. The pain was incredible. Rae screamed and grabbed at the wound, finding hot stone and boiling flesh. With a yank, the stonebinder ripped the pebbles from Rae’s body, drawing blood and sending Rae to his knees, howling. He stayed kneeling, leaning on the strange silver sword as pain racked his body.

“This is always the choice people like you make. Brave, until the blood starts. Stubborn. In need of breaking. Well, I am happy to break you.”

“What do you want with us? With me?” Rae gasped. That brought the stonebinder up short. Rae sensed amusement in the way the man tilted his head. “What did we do to you?”

“To me? Nothing. But I have obligations, you understand. Vows I have sworn to very powerful people.” The stonebinder walked with his left hand tucked firmly behind his back, the slate sword held loosely in his right. He looked like a duelist. Rae kept backing up, dragging his lame foot. “The sort of people who send their servants out in the middle of the night to murder a child, for example.”

“You’re a monster,” Rae spat.

“The world is full of monsters. Now, are you going to lift that sword, or is it just for show?” the mage asked. Rae grimaced, but held the crackling spiritblade in both hands, the hilt close to his waist, tip wavering uncertainly the space between them.

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