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Authors: Charles E Yallowitz

The Compass Key (Book 5) (47 page)

BOOK: The Compass Key (Book 5)
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“Are we supposed to let them live?”

“If they die then they die. I do not fully understand what I need from them. Yet, I hope these champions make it to the end. They are stronger and more entertaining than any of their predecessors. A victory over this collection will solidify my hold on Windemere.”

The door to the room slams open and a laughing figure covered in seaweed enters the room. Stephen pulls the
plants off and chuckles at the pain from his broken arm. He walks to a nearby chair as his body mends and his magic removes the saltwater from his clothes. Taking a seat on a cushioned chair, he pats his lap for Trinity to sit down and grins when she turns her back on him. With a violent yank, he pulls the chaos elf to him and kisses her while painfully squeezing her shoulder.

“Let her go, son, or I will punish you,” the Baron coldly threatens. A layer of frost covers the room, which
the younger immortal ignores. “I taught you to treat your allies with respect. Not like they are your personal playthings.”

“You’re not one to scold me on cruel behavior,” Stephen claims while dropping
Trinity to the floor. “I remember you enjoying similar activities when you were free. More pain than pleasure, but just as sadistic. Are you getting soft in your old age?”

The Baron’s eyes narrow and turn bright red with a growing rage. “My conquests were of enemies while you humiliate your allies. You are my son and my strongest agent, but you have become undisciplined over the
centuries. Do not take these champions lightly.”

Stephen stands up and picks
the chaos elf up in his arms, enjoying the tension in her body. He licks his lips as he puts her on her feet and runs his hand along her back. The hate and fear in her eyes makes him groan and drives him to take a deep sniff of her scent. Stephen’s hand is about to move under her shirt when he is hurled against the ceiling. The force is enough to crack the stone and blood falls from his mouth. He growls at his father, who mutters a spell and sends him hurtling into the wall. The young nobleman falls to the ground and is dragged by an invisible force to kneel at his father’s feet.

“I have shown favor to you since you are my only surviving child, Stephen,” the Baron says
as he reaches out to move Trinity behind him. “This is not the time to cause dissention in our forces. You removed Tyler from my services, which could not be helped because he had become too weak. I will not let you cost me Trinity and the chaos elves. We need them to combat the champions.”

“We don’t need them, father
. I faced Gabriel’s champions and they are insects. I’ll admit they are stronger insects than the others, but I could have killed all of them if I wished. Even their channeler was too weak to fight against me. If I had more time, I could have bent her to my will like this one.”

Trinity steps out from behind the Baron and slaps Stephen
with a stinging spell to the face. “I might not like Nyx, but I know you won’t break her. She doesn’t have an entire race for you to hold hostage. So, don’t think she’ll be easy to manipulate.”

“Are you saying you’re easy to manipulate, my toy?”

“My vulnerability is obvious to all of you.”

“If you’re so weak then we have no use for you.”

“Don’t mistake the love I have for my people for weakness.”

“A ruler with compassion-”
Stephen is cut off by a sword through his stomach, which is more irritating than painful. “Really, father?”

“Next time I
will behead you, son,” the Baron states, cleaning his blade and making it vanish into thin air. “I need both of you to get along for the next mission. I have limited agents and you two are my best. With one champion awakened, we need to concentrate on the others. I will let you know which champion is our target within a few days. I must choose carefully or our actions could make them stronger.”

Stephen clears his throat and appears behind Trinity, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her neck. His tenderness makes her shudder in disgust while the Baron prepares to strike his son again. With a burst of
the chaos elf’s enhancer gems, she and Stephen disappear. The Baron lets his arm slowly fall to his side where Raksha nuzzles his palm. An exasperated sigh escapes his lips while he patiently waits.

“I do not have time for your
indulgences, Stephen Kernaghan,” he announces, startling Raksha. He claps his hands and the pair return to where they were standing. “I trust you have a reason for showing off.”

“He was merely explaining his plan without fear of interruption,” Trinity states with a pleasant smile. She nervously rubs her arms and steps away from Stephen, cringing in pain with every step. “It’s an excellent plan, but I will need some time to gather the proper forces. I also need to
recover my strength from my ordeal.”

“I assume you’re goi
ng after that other channeler, my son.”

“N
yx is too powerful, so I have another target in mind,” Stephen explains, appearing in front of his father. “My attention is now on the weakest of the champions. Remove one of their own and they will lose their arrogance and courage.”

The Baron’s eyebrow arches in curiosity. “
What did you have in mind?”


Nyx’s little brother will suffer and die.”

*****

“Sleep well, champions. I can’t wait to meet you.”

The adventure continues in

Curse of the Dark Wind

BOOK: The Compass Key (Book 5)
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