Free The Darkslayer: Chaos at the Castle (Book 6) by Craig Halloran Page A

hand!”
    Lefty leered up at the tall and rangy man. His face was charred and pink. His eyes black. The man he’d known as Thorn was gone and wouldn’t be missed. But now, whoever had him possessed was a far superior threat. Lefty lost his breath when Zorth looked down on him with burning black eyes. Blood was dripping from the blade.
    “I am Zorth! No evil shall remain!”
    Am I evil?
    Lefty watched the blade go up like it was a mile high in the air.
    Or is he insane?
    Blue eyes wide as saucers , he watched the blade descend.
    Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip!
    Crossbow bolts ripped into the big man’s body.
    Thorn turned and face d his agitators. Filled with bolts in his chest, legs and neck, he stormed up the deck.
    “I am Zorth! Avenger of Good. Vanquisher of Evil!”
    A dozen thieves greeted him. Crossbows rocking.
    Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! Clatch-Zip! ...
    Zorth crashed into the ones at the top of the bank. A dozen bolts in his chest. The Sword of Zorth rose and fell. Bones were splintered. Cries went out. Many rogues twitched on the bloody deck. Others searched for their limbs.
    “I am Zorth! Destroy—
    Clatch-Zip!
    A bolt went inside his one temple and stuck out the other.
    The great sword clattered to the deck. The remaining rogues chopped Thorn into ribbons.
    Lefty wiped the blood from his eyes.
    Thank Bish!
    A strong hand squeezed his bad shoulder. He flinched.
    It was Jubbler. “You alright, Huh!”
    “Aye!” Lefty said, swallowing.
    Erin!
    “Jubbler! Do you know where Erin is?”

     
     
    CHAPTER 11
     
     
    The world of Palos was dark, sadistic, perverted and dreary. Kam was choking in the man’s darkness with only his laughter echoing inside her ears.
    “Kam,” he taunted. “I told you that you’d be my whore forever. Now I have you.”
    Light of a candle flared, illuminating a small wood paneled room with no doors. Tears swelled up in her eyes as she sat on her knees, now a little girl with all the insecurities in the world. Bugs the size of her fist scurried over the room. Each with a different facade of Palos for a face. One crawled up her bound arms and spoke with antennas twitching.
    “Are you afraid, litt le girl? Do you fear the night?” He shape-shifted into a rat. “The rodents. The creatures that slither across the floor!” He turned into a burning green snake and coiled his tail around her neck. “Shall I burn your mind the same as you did my belly?” He hissed. “Hmmm… you lactating witch!”
    She could n’t tear her gaze away. She was hypnotized with his power.
    “What am I doing here?” she cried out. “Where am I! Where am I!”
    The candle went out. Everything was gone. Only the sound of her sobs remained.
    W hat am I doing inside the mind of Palos?
    She had to find him. Find something. Find a way out of his maze.
    “You never should have come here, Kam!” His voice screamed. “I’ll never let you out!”
    The sound of a heavy metal door bang ing closed. She found herself inside a room, her full adult body bound up in chains. It was freezing. She shivered without control. Her chin quivered. Her teeth clacked.
    Palos appeared before her, dressed in warm white clothes, handsome and captivating. He lifted her trembling chin into his soft hands and looked her straight in the eye.
    “Kam, swear yourself to me. Be my slave , and I’ll end this misery,” he said.
    She tried to look away, but his words, his warmth, w ere so inviting.
    But I hate you .
    A tear dr opped down her cheek and froze on her chin.
    He kissed her forehead.
    “You don’t hate me, Kam. You desire me. You want me. Give in to me, and all will be well again,” he said.
    Why am I here?
    She shook her head and looked down at the frosty chains that covered her naked frame. Her breath was frosty.
    “So cold … I can’t think,” she said.
    She was disoriented, lost and frozen. All of her