Free Book and Blade: Book One of the Hand of Perdition by Erik Lynd Page A

concern on his face. Then he sighed.
    "Okay. You seem to know something about what is going on you just don't want to let me in on," Hamlin said.
    "It's not that..." Christopher began.
    "Yes it is. But don't worry, I'll back down a little. Tell you what. I'll watch from the car. I’ll be able to see you, but far out of earshot."
    "Thanks, Hamlin."
    "Yeah, no problem kid, but just remember I'm on your side, and you need all the friends you can get right now. So be very careful about what secrets you decide to keep."
    With that Hamlin turned and walked back to the car. Christopher was tempted to call after him. He was right, Christopher needed friends, but there was no time for that. He had a meeting to keep. After the last mourner had left, he made his way up the hill to speak with the dark thing that stank of death.

 
    CHAPTER FOURTEEN
     
    "Ah, the new hunter of lost souls approaches," the tall man said as Christopher drew closer.
    The man's mouth was wide and lined with teeth. Teeth that looked like they had been filed to points. When he smiled, tiny needle-like teeth shined wetly. The stench grew stronger as Christopher neared the thing and the desire to attack him reached a fever pitch, as though the seed of Hell inside of him was screaming for him to lash out and claim this being’s soul. It took all of his strength to hold it together.
    "Who are you?" Christopher asked.
    "I am your purpose," it said and laughed. "I am called Rath for the moment."
    "Why are you here, at my family’s funeral? Did you have something to do with it?"
    "I came to meet the new Adversary. The successor to the Beast."
    He couldn't stand the rage inside him any longer. He stepped closer and looked up at Rath.
    "Look fucker, did you have anything to do with my family’s murder or not?"
    "Hmm, your concern for the mundane tells me you really have no idea what you are. You have no idea of the power you wield. Dealing with you will be easy. You are not the bloodhound the Beast was. You are but a puppy dog."
    Rath leaned his head back and laughed. Christopher took a step forward, rage sweeping him away. He didn't know what he was going to do, but he wouldn't stand here and do nothing.
    Suddenly a large knife appeared in Rath’s hands. It gleamed hotly. Something about it made Christopher hesitate, some hellish instinct made him pull back.
    "Relax puppy. To tell you the truth, I did not do anything to your parents."
    Rath brought his other hand up slowly and with the edge of the knife sliced deeply into his palm. Blood welled up instantly and began to drip from his hand. He held the hand over the grave next to him and blood dripped onto the earth with a sound that hissed as though his blood burned the very ground.
    "But I know the man who did. Ambros gave the order."
    He held his hand above another grave and again the blood fell to the ground as though molten.
    "And I could deliver him to you."
    He turned and walked through the graves, letting his blood drip on them as he went. Christopher followed behind him.
    "What do you mean deliver?" Christopher asked.
    "It's vengeance you want right? The police’s hands are tied, they all know he was the one that ordered the execution, but they can't do anything about it. They can't even find him. I could tell you where he is. You have a certain... freedom that the police lack. You could accomplish what they can't."
    They seemed to be walking in a large circle, Rath fertilizing the ground with his blood. But he didn't seem to weaken despite the blood loss. In fact, he seemed to grow stronger with each step. Once again, as much as he feared it, he wished he had the Weapon with him.
    "What's in it for you?" Christopher asked.
    Rath paused for a moment as though considering.
    "I have worked with him for a while, but he has outlived his usefulness. It is time he and I parted ways."
    "And you want me to do the dirty work? Why? It can't be that simple. I mean, I get the feeling you could deal with him yourself