Free Seal of Solomon (Journeyman Book 2) by Golden Czermak Page B

demonic thugs. I have no love for them,” he said as his lips fell into a scowl before lifting into a smile. “And when you were alive? No, my dear, I suspect quite the opposite. As I think on it, a very unique opportunity has presented itself – one that may allow us to do something extraordinary.”
    Her eyes narrowed, studying his salt and pepper hair – heavy on the former – as they hiked for at least a mile more. She was playing around with a few nicknames in her mind, settling on dubbing him Silver Fox since he was older and not an ugly fellow. Hell, that was better than nothing, the stubborn old goat not willing to reveal his name to her.
    “Who are you?” she asked as he raised his hood back over his head.
    “Time will tell,” he replied, hastily moving on.
    Oh great , riddles now of all times! her mind screamed as she fell back in behind him.
    They had reached the edge of a large area of shiny stone, as if the ground had been heavily polished.
    “Ah, here at last!” Silver rushed into the circle.
    “The nexus I presume?”
    “One of many,” he answered; she stepped up to his side. “Yes, this is where we will depart.” He pulled out a dagger and holster from his robes and handed them to her. It was a twisted blade of pure silver, engraved with symbols on the blade and handle alike. “Here, these are for you. I assume you're skilled in how to use one?”
    “Yes, how did -”
    “Later,” he said, shaking the handle. “Please, take them. We might need them where we are going”
    “And where is that?”
    “Lands near the base of an ancient temple. It was constructed here at least three thousand years ago, give or take a hundred years. I think we may be able to find an item there to help get you back where you came from.”
    “Why are you helping me so much?” she asked, vastly suspicious of his motives.
    “Because that is what family does for each other.”
    She didn’t expect that particular answer and had no idea what he meant by it, though she finally grabbed the handle, placing it and the holster on her belt.
    “Are you ready?” he asked her.
    She breathed deeply, really unsure if she was or not. This would all be so interesting at a different time in a different place, yet now she found it all pretty unsettling.
    It’s go time, she thought.
    “Yup!” she answered aloud.
    “Good. Now remember, I don’t know what we’ll encounter when we reach the other side, so it’s best to be prepared for battle.”
    “Got it.”
    He raised his hands aloft and the rod floated away before impaling half its length into the stone. There was a deep hum, a smell like allspice wafting in on a sudden breeze. Curls of light whipped out from the staff to form the intricate lines of an ornate sigil, filling the entire polished area beneath their feet.
    Adrienne immediately recognized it as one of Solomon’s seals. It was the forty-third, the fourth pentacle of Venus – meant to bring ones you love from far away. She gasped as it glowed brightly. She then whispered and it was carried away on the wind as they were both transported toward their destination.
    “Solomon? It’s you…”

 
     
     
     
    A MAN DRESSED IN a high end suit made his way up the long and narrow street. The houses lining each side were dark, residents sleeping soundly within the cozy walls, completely unaware that a demon was walking along their prim and proper sidewalks. His striking red hair caught the moonlight, glowing brighter underneath the overpowering orange of the street lamps as he passed them by.
    A single black cat made its way across the street three houses up – as good an omen as any to select the particular home it emerged from for this task.
    Astaroth would be lying if he told himself that he didn’t have doubts over what he was about to do, but it had reached a point where he felt this was the only solution to the issues plaguing the Noctis. Fueled by his disillusionment with Keli’s competence after her