Read Online Alpha Moon by Rebecca A. Rogers - Free Book Online Page A

Watch stood near the bar, surrounded by a group of somber men. ’Twas horrible that Colchester lost Mr. Murdock the prior evening. Just as well, those other men had wives and children, and now naught but memories remained.
    “I need thy help,” Alaric said, as he approached the Captain. He was a tall man, with graying hair and a thick moustache.
    “Alaric, ’tis good to see ye made it out alive after last night. What of thy brother? Did he survive?”
    Alaric glanced around at the other men, second-guessing whether he should speak openly in front of them, or in private with the Captain. He decided on the former. “My brother is well, but I have another important matter which I would like to discuss with ye.” He did not hesitate pushing the conversation toward the more serious topic. “I have reason to believe Lavenia is practicing the dark arts.”
    The Captain smirked. “Do ye? And what proof can ye provide?”
    Alaric could give naught more than a shred of material found on a bush. “This,” he said, offering the piece of cloth. “I found it on shrubbery near the scene of the attack. I had witnessed this type of fabric, and the color, before. The connection was not made at once, but my eyes beheld a tear in Lavenia’s skirts, the dye matching flawlessly.”
    The Captain took the material from Alaric and observed it. “This is a serious allegation, especially if she is found innocent.”
    “I would apologize, should the need arise, but I fear ’twill not.”
    Studying Alaric’s features, the Captain of the Watch mentally deliberated a moment longer before determining Alaric had a justifiable case. “Ye have never given me reason to believe ye mad.” The Captain tersely nodded. “I shall prepare my men at once. We shall search her home for any objects which may prove of use.”
    “Gratitude.”
    Alaric followed the Captain and several men from Murdock’s as they ventured to Lavenia’s cottage. He did not know if the investigation would be successful, but he hoped ’twould turn up some sort of evidence implicating Lavenia. She would pay, one way or another, for cursing his brother and Daciana. Alaric would not stop until he had his retribution.
    The arrival of the Captain and several of his men, including Alaric, at Lavenia’s homestead did not seem to inconvenience her, as if she knew they were coming. She and her apprentices stood outside while the men rummaged through belongings.
    “I hope this pleases ye,” Lavenia hissed at Alaric.
    He gave her naught but a sideways glance.
    From inside, one of the men called, “Captain, in here! I may have found something.”
    Alaric walked to the front door, where he leaned against the frame. He wanted to observe if the man truly uncovered an item of witchcraft, or if this was a hoax. The scruffy fellow raised a loose wooden floorboard and reached inside. His fingers latched on to an item, and he carefully pulled it out. ’Twas a book. Not just any ordinary book; this one had symbols printed in gold on the cover. Alaric had never seen such a tome before.
    The Captain stepped forward and confiscated the volume. He flipped through pages and pages, while every man held his breath. When he glanced up and fastened his eyes on Alaric, the competition was over. Alaric had officially shaped the downfall of Lavenia.
    Brushing past Alaric in the entryway, the Captain barked, “Seize her!” He pointed to Lavenia.
    “What of the others?” one of the men asked, jerking his head toward Lavenia’s apprentices.
    “I will spare them,” said the Captain. “But we shall report back to this cottage on regular calls, without warning. Should we find any items supporting the dark arts, they shall be punished accordingly.”
    The two apprentices looked fearful. Mayhap they were afraid townsfolk would see them as equals of a genuine witch. Their reputations would take a trouncing, for certain, but Alaric was sure that, in time, many people would forget of this event and move