The Witch's Reckoning (The Sheva Chronicles Book 1) by Michael Todd & Michael Anderle

Author:Michael Todd & Michael Anderle [Todd, Michael & Anderle, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LMBPN Publishing
Published: 2024-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The yellowed parchment of the antique book crinkled as Gerard turned the page.

He ran a gloved finger down the paper. He always used gloves when referencing his limited-edition books so his skin would not leave traces of oil.

“Come on,” he muttered. “Give me something better than yarrow blood-clotting spells. I know all about that measly herb.”

The tome, Occult Healing Rituals, was a huge disappointment so far. He’d tried his hand at three of the more involved healing rituals the book recommended, with only minor results. He’d successfully dulled the pain in his leg, but the angry knife wound remained, and he worried about infections. Or, worse, nerve damage.

He needed proper use of his limbs. He hated the idea of walking with a limp, never mind engaging in combat with a bad leg.

I’d look like an aging fool, and I’d fight like a blue belt.

He turned another page.

Ah-ha. Here’s something I may be able to use. The Lurid Healing Ceremony called for thirteen legs of a black widow spider, the blood of a mare, and crushed bone powder.

The bone powder would be the hardest to procure. He read further through the dense paragraph of text and noted that human bone worked best.

I’ll have to send Murdock to the morgue again, he realized. Where is Murdock, anyway? He hadn’t seen his bodyguard in several hours.

He placed the book carefully on a podium in his study and strode to the double doors. When he pulled them open, he spotted his bodyguard hustling down the carpeted hallway.

Murdock wore his suit, but it didn’t fit quite right. Neither did his skin. His face sagged in spots where the shape had not yet fully formed.

“Sir, I have news,” Murdock grumbled. He was also in a foul mood today. His wrists had angry welts around them from the handcuffs the night before. The puffy pink marks were barely visible beneath his shirt cuffs.

It was nearing lunch hour, and when Gerard’s stomach growled, he realized he’d skipped breakfast. “Make it quick. I need to eat and start hunting down ingredients for a ceremony.” More accurately, you will do the hunting for me.

He didn’t want to confuse Murdock, though. His guard had a small, simple mind that could only handle one order at a time.

“It’s about the auction tonight,” Murdock told him.

Gerard cocked an eyebrow. “Ah. Never mind the rush, then. I have time for this. Come in.”

He held the doors open, and Murdock stepped through.

After Gerard was behind his large antique mahogany desk, he tented his hands. “What is it? Have you heard back from the seller of the crystal ball?” He tapped his fingertips together, nearly drooling at the thought of the artifact. It would be the perfect piece to offer the Ascendants at his next meeting with them.

This gift will finally tip the scales in my favor.

At long last, they will make me part of their club.

He could already envision what it would be like to wield so much power and authority. He’d fantasized about it for so many hours that it already felt like reality to him.

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