Free Hemlock And The Dread Sorceress (Book 3) by B. Throwsnaill

as well,” said Hemlock.
    “Hemlock!” cried Jasper.  “Something’s happened to me.  There’s a voice in my head.  It says to tell you that I’m still me even though it’s in me now.  Hemlock, I don’t want to burn alive.  Please!  I want to see my mum again.  Hemlock!”
    Hemlock set Tored against the standing remnants of a bookshelf.
    “I’m sorry, Jasper,” she shouted.  Kneeling, she picked up Tored’s spear and cast it at the adolescent.  Her aim was true and it struck him between the chest and the shoulder blade, killing him instantly. 
    There was a great howl, then.  As Hemlock helped Tored up the stairs, she saw a deep red cloud of energy leave Jasper’s body. Drawn into the pit, the red light—somehow visible despite the fire—drew in upon itself and receded with a pop.
    “He died like a warrior—struck from above and over the shoulder.  It was an honorable blow,” grunted Tored as they climbed away from the conflagration below.
    “He was just a stupid kid,” said Hemlock.
    “Fate is often unkind, but you eased his passing.”
    “Thanks.”
    They were met on the street by a fire b rigade and a detachment of the watch.  Hemlock explained what happened as Tored was placed on a litter, against his will, and returned to their apartment where Mercuria’s healing powers awaited.
    There was no sign of Boris at the scene . Hemlock did not subsequently seek him out, suspecting that he was, more likely than not, an unwitting pawn in the misguided schemes of the Old Mother.
    All debts come due eventually.
    The phrase echoed in her mind as she considered the motives of the Old Mother and the recurring dark vision of a dragon that she continued to experience.
    A deputy wanted her to report the incident to the Senate but Hemlock refused.  Her recent authority, and the force of her spirit, prevented the deputy from daring an attempt to detain her.  But she did give a full accounting of the tale, twice, and with many witnesses present.
    Gwineval will blame me for this, no doubt.  The sooner we leave the City , the better.
    When she arrived at their apartment, Mercuria had already treated Tor ed, and he was resting quietly.  She entered his room and pulled up a chair before he could offer any resistance.
    “Hemlock, he should rest,” cautioned Mercuria, looking weary from the process of healing.
    “So should you.  Leave us,” said Hemlock.
    Mercuria looked puzzled, but complied.
    “So…” said Hemlock.
    “Yes?” said Tored.
    “The Old Mother knew you.  How?”
    Tored shifted in bed as if to create distance, but then turned back to face her.  “It is probably best that you know the truth, though it is a point of great shame for me.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Remember when I visited the City before we left on our quest to disconnect the Witch Crags from the City?”
    “Yes.”
    “The problems between Taros Sundar and Umra Vyle were already boiling over during our journey to the City.  I could tell that Umra Vyle had something planned, and he intended to move on Taros Sundar.  It was only a matter of time.  As you saw, I couldn’t get through to the boy.  He remained oblivious to the threat.
    “ When we reached the City, I despaired and confided in a friend who lived here.  He knew of the Old Mother and her magical abilities.  I met with her in secret and asked her for a spell that would rid me of Umra Vyle.  She gave me a potion that would summon a beast to kill the man who drank it.  I emptied that potion into Umra Vyle’s waterskin.”
    “The rainbow cat!” said Hemlock.
    “Yes.  My hands are stained with the blood of my comrades in arms because I couldn’t accept that my adopted house would be dishonored by Umra Vyle.  My vanity and pride has brought more shame upon me and that house than Umra Vyle ever could have.”
    “ Now I understand why you got so distant.  I wish you would have come to me first.”
    “We didn’t know each other as