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

memories, her passions, feeling and anger were gone. If she had an issue with Palos, she couldn’t remember it. Why would she be angry with Palos? He was such a charming man.
    Isn’t he my friend?
    “ Of course I’m your friend,” he said. He stroked her hair with the back of his soft hand. “I’m your only friend now. I can save you. Just swear yourself to me. I’ll protect you and your daughter.”
    “What …” she said, fighting against her dream-like state, “daughter?”
    The one you are looking for … A dark, powerful voice spoke.
    “Who ?” she said. She looked around.
    “Who are you ?” Palos demanded, jumping back from her. “Who is this, Kam? Who are you?”
    There was fear in the voice of the Prince of Thieves now. It was an alarming sound. An awakening. The cold chains that bound her faded away into her green mage’s gown. She shook her head.
    The dark voice spoke again, more demanding this time. Where is her daughter, Palos?
    “Erin!” Kam screamed.
    A dark figure of shadows emerged between Kam and Palos. Its eyes were two burning rubies , and it had a hooked nose. Its gaze sent a chill straight through her.
    Palos’s face filled with horror. “Get away from me!” He drifted back into the metal door, panic in his eyes. He turned and pulled at the handle. It would not open.
    “Where’s my daughter , Palos!” Kam shouted. Her strength was returning.
    “I’ll never tell! I’ll never—AYEEEEEEEE!”
    The black figure’s fingers stretched out like tendrils, filling Palos’s nostrils and mouth, burrowing into his ears.
    Where is the girl, deceitful one?
    Palos shook his head. He ground his teeth.
    “No!”
    Then I shall dig it out myself!
    The black figure reached deeper into Palos’s mind.
    The Prince of Thieves screamed.
    The black figure ripped out his mind.
    Kam’s eyes popped open. She was gasping. Lying in a pool of her own sweat by the fireplace on Palos’s apartment floor. Rubbing her head, she looked up and found the Prince of Thieves still bound to his chair. His eyes were rolled up inside his head. He babbled. Drool spilled from his mouth onto his chest.
    “What happened?” Struggling to her feet , she scanned the room, worried. “Where are you? Where is Erin?” She looked down at her hand. It was glowing like fire. The red gems she no longer held. They were now embedded inside her hand.
    “No! What madness is this ?” She tried to rake them out on the chair. On the table. She screamed. “You said you’d help me find my daughter. Tell me what you found out from Palos!”
    His mind did not escape the inquiry. Time to serve, Kam!
    Exhausted, Kam fell to her knees, gaping at her hand. What had she done? She’d wanted to live so desperately that she would have done anything to see her daughter again. Now she was bound with a force she couldn’t have dreamed of. Only moments ago, she was going to be the slave of Palos, and now she was the slave to something else. And she still didn’t have Erin.
    Wiping her sweaty locks from her face , she said, “What would you have me do?”
    I must return to my home.
    She glanced at Palos. He was drooling like an imbecile.
    Serves him right.
    “And where is that?” she said. “What!” Her body was propelled to the table.
    I’ll tell you when we get there, but for now, I need to see through your eyes and ears. Ah … it’s good to smell again, even though it’s not like my home.
    She grabbed a carafe of Palos’s wine to her lips and drank.
    The voice inside her head, eerie and dark.
    This is good, a fine, exquisite taste, but I have no need for more.
    Kam forced the carafe away from her lips and set it down. “Can I―or we―at least try to find my daughter on your way home? Please!”
    Not likely. I’ve waited long enough already.
    “But—“Kam said. The front door burst open. “Lefty!”
    The halfling boy limped inside, holding his shoulder, face bleeding.
    “We’ve got Diller, Kam,” he said. He eyed her then