Read Online Moonlight(Pact Arcanum 3) by Arshad Ahsanuddin - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Arshad Ahsanuddin
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from the field of play, the Children of Starlight will be the inheritors and caretakers of magic on your world. Then, and only then, will there be peace between the races.”
Nick took a deep breath and let it out. “Will the child be Sentinel or Daywalker?”
“The new race will be an amalgam of the most useful traits of each race. They will be strong like the Children of Twilight, but their free will shall remain unfettered. They will be long-lived like the Children of the Dawn, but they will retain their mortality. They will chart their own destiny from out of the ashes of your war. This is our gift to you, that you shall understand your legacy in taking up the protection of the one who will someday lead them.”
Nick kept silent for a long time, digesting the information. “I think I understand.”
“Then your questions have been asked and answered, Nicholas Magister Luscian. Your fealty is accepted. You are the child’s sword and shield from this moment forth. Go now, in peace, the way you came.”
Nick’s eyes snapped open where he lay in Rory’s arms, and he took a shuddering breath.
Rory held him tightly. “Did it work?”
Nick mustered a weak answer. “Yes.”
Take leaned forward. “Then what did you find out?”
“Later,” he said, trying to sit up. “Takeshi, where is Toby right now?”
Take frowned. “He’s in England, with Andrea. Why?”
“He’s in danger,” Nick said, his voice full of dread. “I don’t know why, or when, but something bad is about to happen to him.”
CHAPTER 9
Oxford Botanic Garden, Oxford, England
Toby and Andrea walked silently down the path until they reached a park bench, while their Secret Service escort formed a perimeter around them at a discreet distance. She sat and looked at the overcast sky that blotted out the sunset.
“Storm’s coming.”
Toby snorted. “This is England. Rain is part of the scenery.”
She laughed at his tone of disdain. “You get used to it.” She looked at him with interest. “So where do you live when you’re not in Washington?”
Toby sat on the bench next to her. “San Francisco mostly, but my apartment is being, um, remodeled, so I’ve been crashing at my brother’s house in North Carolina.”
She leaned back against the bench. “I guess family is good for something after all.”
“Come on, Andrea,” said Toby. “Surely your dad has some redeeming qualities?”
Her expression turned sour. “Not lately. In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad. I enjoyed the campaigning, once I was old enough to understand what was going on. But when he hit the Oval Office, everything changed. The work took center stage, and he never had time for us. My mother was the only thing holding our family together. After she died, it seemed like there was nothing left of our relationship to rebuild. I went back to Washington for the funeral and the state functions, but he didn’t need me. He just pressed on as always. I’m surprised he noticed I was there at all.”
Toby took her hand gently. “Andrea, forgive me for saying so, but at least half of that was complete bullshit, and you know it.” He glanced at Jack Anderson, who leaned against a low stone wall, casually sharpening his sword with a whetstone while he watched the shadows for threats. “If your father didn’t care, then we wouldn’t be here.”
She grinned at him. “You know, Tobias, I was really building up a nice head of self-pity there. You’re ruining the whole effect by trying to inject perspective.” She cocked her head quizzically. “So when do you suppose you’re finally going to let me in on the big secret?”
Toby started to reply, but the voice of his AI interrupted him. “Tobias, Layla Magister Curallorn is trying to reach you on a high-priority secured channel.”
Toby sat there with his mouth open like a fish, then snapped his jaws together and stood from the bench. He gave Andrea a sheepish look. “Will you excuse me for a few
Nick took a deep breath and let it out. “Will the child be Sentinel or Daywalker?”
“The new race will be an amalgam of the most useful traits of each race. They will be strong like the Children of Twilight, but their free will shall remain unfettered. They will be long-lived like the Children of the Dawn, but they will retain their mortality. They will chart their own destiny from out of the ashes of your war. This is our gift to you, that you shall understand your legacy in taking up the protection of the one who will someday lead them.”
Nick kept silent for a long time, digesting the information. “I think I understand.”
“Then your questions have been asked and answered, Nicholas Magister Luscian. Your fealty is accepted. You are the child’s sword and shield from this moment forth. Go now, in peace, the way you came.”
Nick’s eyes snapped open where he lay in Rory’s arms, and he took a shuddering breath.
Rory held him tightly. “Did it work?”
Nick mustered a weak answer. “Yes.”
Take leaned forward. “Then what did you find out?”
“Later,” he said, trying to sit up. “Takeshi, where is Toby right now?”
Take frowned. “He’s in England, with Andrea. Why?”
“He’s in danger,” Nick said, his voice full of dread. “I don’t know why, or when, but something bad is about to happen to him.”
CHAPTER 9
Oxford Botanic Garden, Oxford, England
Toby and Andrea walked silently down the path until they reached a park bench, while their Secret Service escort formed a perimeter around them at a discreet distance. She sat and looked at the overcast sky that blotted out the sunset.
“Storm’s coming.”
Toby snorted. “This is England. Rain is part of the scenery.”
She laughed at his tone of disdain. “You get used to it.” She looked at him with interest. “So where do you live when you’re not in Washington?”
Toby sat on the bench next to her. “San Francisco mostly, but my apartment is being, um, remodeled, so I’ve been crashing at my brother’s house in North Carolina.”
She leaned back against the bench. “I guess family is good for something after all.”
“Come on, Andrea,” said Toby. “Surely your dad has some redeeming qualities?”
Her expression turned sour. “Not lately. In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad. I enjoyed the campaigning, once I was old enough to understand what was going on. But when he hit the Oval Office, everything changed. The work took center stage, and he never had time for us. My mother was the only thing holding our family together. After she died, it seemed like there was nothing left of our relationship to rebuild. I went back to Washington for the funeral and the state functions, but he didn’t need me. He just pressed on as always. I’m surprised he noticed I was there at all.”
Toby took her hand gently. “Andrea, forgive me for saying so, but at least half of that was complete bullshit, and you know it.” He glanced at Jack Anderson, who leaned against a low stone wall, casually sharpening his sword with a whetstone while he watched the shadows for threats. “If your father didn’t care, then we wouldn’t be here.”
She grinned at him. “You know, Tobias, I was really building up a nice head of self-pity there. You’re ruining the whole effect by trying to inject perspective.” She cocked her head quizzically. “So when do you suppose you’re finally going to let me in on the big secret?”
Toby started to reply, but the voice of his AI interrupted him. “Tobias, Layla Magister Curallorn is trying to reach you on a high-priority secured channel.”
Toby sat there with his mouth open like a fish, then snapped his jaws together and stood from the bench. He gave Andrea a sheepish look. “Will you excuse me for a few
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