Free Soul of Skulls (Book 6) by Jonathan Moeller Page A

Cravenlock and his sister, and Amalric betrayed and slew him.” His eyes shifted to Malaric. “Only a fool seeks to wield the power of the Demonsouled.” 
    Malaric scowled. 
    “Plainly,” said Lucan. “So that is why you seek to aid me? To free your race from the Demonsouled?”
    “Indeed,” said Skalatan. “With the Demonsouled destroyed, my people will be free to act without the dark lure of their power. In time this world will belong to the San-keth forever.”
    “Unlikely,” said Lucan. “I will destroy the Demonsouled, but the San-keth will not conquer the earth. You are too few, and mortal men outnumber you a hundredfold. You will never exterminate them.”
    Skalatan hissed laughter. “Why should I wish to exterminate them?” 
    “Because,” said Malaric, puzzled, “that is the doctrine of the San-keth. The Amathavian and Elderborn gods stripped you of your limbs, and in vengeance, you will enslave and exterminate the race of man.”
    “Such a narrow vision,” said Skalatan. “You sound like my brother archpriests.” 
    “Enough,” said Lucan. “I should kill you…but I suspect you’ll have come prepared to face someone like me. So. You can aid me in the destruction of the Demonsouled. How?”
    “By stopping those who will try to stop you,” said Skalatan. “Specifically, Mazael Cravenlock.” 
    “Mazael Cravenlock,” said Lucan, “believes that I am dead.” 
    “For how much longer?” said Skalatan. “If you came to Knightreach for the reasons that I believe, you will soon create a great deal of chaos. Mazael’s sister and his nephews live at Knightcastle. To save his sister, he destroyed our temple below Castle Cravenlock, and to save his nephew, he smashed an entire Malrag horde. What do you think he will do when your activities threaten his sister?” 
    Lucan said nothing, standing as motionless as a statue, the Glamdaigyr burning in his hand. 
    “By the time he realizes what is happening,” said Lucan at last, “it will be too late for him to take action.”
    “You are certain?” said Skalatan. “Mazael Cravenlock is not simply another man. He is a son of the Old Demon. Perhaps the strongest Demonsouled left in this world, save for the Old Demon himself. You think to destroy the Demonsouled. Do you think Mazael will not know? He will feel it, even if he does not realize it. He will be drawn to you, and he will stop you." 
    "Perhaps he will join me," said Lucan, lifting his chin, "once he understands my true goal."
    "Or perhaps not," said Skalatan. "He did not aid your purpose last time. And if you intend what I believe you intend...you will need a great deal of stolen power. Slaughter on that scale will draw attention. Mazael's attention, most likely."  
    "Very well," said Lucan. "Perhaps your logic is sound. How, then, shall you deal with Mazael?"
    "By slaying him," said Skalatan.
    Lucan laughed. "The Old Demon, the San-keth, the Malrags, the Dominiar Knights, the other children of the Old Demon, and a dragon have all tried to kill Mazael Cravenlock. Most of them are now dead, and Mazael is still alive. Trying to kill him will only make him angry." 
    "Unless you kill him," said Skalatan, "with my aid. The poison of a San-keth archpriest is the deadliest venom in the world. And a dagger coated with it would be enough to kill even a child of the Old Demon."
    "He's right," said Malaric. "The San-keth...provided the venom of an archpriest a few times, when they hired the Skulls to perform an assassination. It is remarkably lethal." 
    "So it is," said Lucan. "And if you kill Mazael, then what?" 
    "Then we proceed to our separate goals," said Skalatan, "free of Lord Mazael's interference."
    "And your goal?" said Lucan. "Just what is that?" 
    "That is my concern," said Skalatan.
    "And perhaps it is mine," said Lucan. "You know my goal. I should know yours." 
    "I urge you," said Malaric, voice low, "to accept his offer."
    Lucan's dark eyes turned to Malaric. "Why?