Free Those Who Fear the Darkness (BloodRunes: Book 2) by Laura R Cole Page B

gone, but now he
had the wake of devastation caused by the quakes to deal with
before he could act upon it.
    “Also, in the town of Cartham they report
that the quake unearthed a ruin that was previously unknown to
exist. We currently have no resources to explore this, but in the
future I'm sure that the scholars will be drooling over the
prospect of finding more clues into the past.”
    Nathair looked up at the man at this comment.
A new ruin held the promise of new information. He tapped his
finger in excitement, formulating a plan to organize the heads of
the guilds to rebuild the city while he took a little trip
himself.
    Once the man was finished reciting the
damages, Nathair gave his orders, entrusting much of the details to
the council, and more importantly the heads of each of the guilds. I wouldn't want the city to suffer if anything unfortunate
happened to any of the council members .
    It would keep the remaining council members
busy and out of his way while he explored this new avenue. Who
knows what treasures of knowledge there may be previously lost in
the ruin. There is no time to waste, I don't want someone else to
get to it before I do .
    He hurried back to his suite after dismissing
the meeting and made his way down into the secret passage.
    He had gathered several of the stones of
power in a circle and prepared to make the journey when the sound
of a moan gave him pause. He stole a glance at his masterpiece, and
saw in delight that the surge of power must have caused a jolt in
her process. She had jumped ahead in progress, apparently enough so
that she was regaining consciousness. He felt a touch of annoyance
that she should awake just as he had important business elsewhere,
but nevertheless chose to spare a moment to witness her waking.
    He strode over to the table that she was
strapped to and smiled down on her while she opened her eyes. She
squinted in the light, and blinked painfully as her eyes adjusted
to seeing once more.
    She parted her dry lips to speak, but only
managed a weak cough. After a few moments she was able to see more
clearly and her confused gaze rested upon him before hardening into
recognition. She struggled against the bonds that held her firmly
to the table.
    His smile broadened. “Welcome back, Jezebel,”
he said, waving a hand over her eyes before making his way back to
the circle and blinking himself back to the familiar countryside
that once he called home.
    He was momentarily nauseated by the internal
tug that traveling by magic caused, but soon reoriented his senses
to the new surroundings. He strode quickly towards the flickering
lights that marked the town. The first person he came across was a
farmer, and Nathair moved to intercept him.
    “Where is the ruin that was just unearthed?”
he asked him.
    The farmer looked at him quizzically,
shrugging and mumbling an annoyed, “I don't have any idea as to
what you're talking about, stranger,” before pushing past him.
    “I asked you a question. Answer it.” Nathair
commanded of the man.
    The farmer immediately turned back to him,
and responded in a monotone voice, “Follow me.” He dropped the bag
of goods he had been carrying and walked towards the fields.
Nathair smiled at his own skill and he fell into step behind the
man, noticing that the damage out here was nothing compared to the
devastation in the city. He made a mental note to make sure that
they were not requesting more assistance than was actually
needed.
    In short order they came across the rubble
where a section of earth seemed to have fallen into itself, and a
passageway could be made out beneath a large boulder.
    “Has anyone been down there?” Nathair
asked.
    He was pleased when the man answered, “No
one, Master, the boulder was too big to move. Besides which, there
are stories about evil things down there so no one wanted it moved
anyway.”
    “Excellent.”
    Nathair pulled a dagger from beneath the
folds in his cloak, and in a swift motion sliced