Read Online Ethan Wright and the Alchemist's Order, (Book 2) by Kimbro West - Free Book Online Page B

realized how upset Ethan was over the death of the alchemist and ceased his lightened mood. “I am sorry about Wegnel — you’ll have to trust me … we’ll find out who did it, but for—”
    “You mean you don’t know?” interrupted Ethan.
    “I’m afraid not … we think it could have been an assassin sent by Xivon. But until we get more evidence, we won’t know for sure.”
    Ethan was quite disappointed at the lack of information on Wegnel’s killer, but at the same time felt relieved that his professor had no involvement in the matter.
    “For now, we need to concentrate on replacing Odin as quickly as possible. You two will … wait, Ethan, where’s your sword?” asked Edison, looking about Ethan’s person for the blade.
    Ethan clenched his fists and shook his head. “Heinrich took it,” he replied somberly.
    “I see. I need you and Auren to go to King’s Point as fast as you can. You’re looking for a woman named Abbey Valisa — she is the new alchemist who will replace Odin,” ordered Edison. “I don’t know how much longer he will last bound to the Oroborus, so you must hurry.” Edison suddenly remembered Ethan’s involvement in freeing him and Auren from the pendulum during Auren’s test. “Ethan, take your bow with you — you can get a little practice on the way.”
    Ethan grabbed the bow and some arrows from the table. Auren shoved some food in their packs as Ethan patted his pockets and chest as if he was missing something. Edison tossed Ethan his alchemy jacket.
    “You’ll be needin’ this for sure,” added Edison, smiling.
    Ethan caught the jacket and slid his arms through the sleeves. He instantly felt more secure having the jacket on, even with the damaged sleeve.
    “What do we do about that jerk standing outside?” grumbled Auren.
    “Who?”
    “Eh, Mr … er, Marcus Grendlehorn?” stuttered Keavy. “Th’ Castellan ordered heem tae accompany th’ wee jimmies sae they don’t gie in onie mair trouble.”
    “Oh … my — Marcus Grenwise is outside? Well, take him with you then. Cooperation with other squads is good practice,” said Edison cheerily.
    Auren mumbled under his breath, displeased at the notion of anything that required teamwork with Marcus Grenwise. He huffed and snorted as he threw his pack over his shoulder.
    “And what are you guys going to do?” asked Ethan.
    “We need things to appear as normal as they can. Keavy will take Stanley and Availia to the Summer Sword while I get the Dead Hand bracelet back to the academy to protect it, hide it … whatever can be done. Xivon has many spies. He will, no doubt, be aware of the bracelet’s sudden appearance.”
    “Why does Xivon want it so bad anyways?” asked Auren.
    “Well, boys … this is what I didn’t tell the Castellan. The Mortuus Manus is special in a few ways. First, it forces you to tell the truth by threat of death — while this is useful, that is not the reason Xivon seeks such a device. The wearer cannot die, unless he lies.”
    Auren stood at attention upon hearing these words. “Wait … what?” he asked in disbelief. “What do you mean?”
    “Anyone who is wearing the bracelet can get wounded to the point of death and they will simply … continue on,” said Edison gravely.
    “Like Stanley?”
    “Well, sort of. But Stanley seems to have very little sensitivity to pain. The wearer of the bracelet can feel pain beyond the point of death. But if Xivon gets the bracelet, who knows what he could do with it,” replied Edison.
    “So, he couldn’t die … unless he tells a lie,” concluded Ethan.
    “Long as he kept eis gob shut, e’d be invincible,” stated Keavy while helping Ethan with his pack.
    Ethan remembered how powerful Xivon was the last time he had faced him, and worse, finding out later it was only a trap and not the real thing. The thought of Xivon being unable to die horrified Ethan. “He cannot be allowed to get that bracelet,” murmured Ethan to himself.
    “So