“How will he know? I doubt he knows you are alive?”
“Come now, even you cannot be so foolish. You know what the mark means.”
Kane grabbed her arm, his fingers digging cruelly into her skin. She offered no resistance as he dragged her outside into the night air and flung her to the ground. Rivik followed them in silence.
Pacing back and forth, Kane’s mind sifted through time, searching through the deepest crevices for the information he needed, his anger building at her sheer arrogance and audacity to ridicule his power.
“Commander,” Rivik growled out in warning.
By the time Kane’s attention had snapped back to the old woman it was too late.
Bessantia had gone.
Epilogue
Lake Samsara, The Moren
Alone on the shoreline of Samsara, Aaron lowered to retrieve a pebble and send it skimming across the once crystal-clear waters. Watching the dark pools ripple outwards, memories of Lake Tahlia and the game he and his brother had played as children, stirred a powerful emotion. He quickly whispered an intonation, hoping that the infusion of words and love would one day prove to be enough.
With a heavy heart, he walked back to the western side of the water’s edge and glanced down at the body lying on its embankment. Reaching into his robe, he retrieved the worn black leather journal and released the gilt catch. Quickly he thumbed through the pages to the spell that the Master had marked with his seal. He quietly read the words and imprinted the verses to his memory.
Slipping the book back underneath his robe, Aaron bent to scoop the lifeless form of the Fae warrior into his arms and raise him into the air. Once the incantation had been spoken aloud, he threw the corpse into the crimson water, the warrior’s death the last sacrifice required to seal the rite, and ensure the Council of Elders remained powerless to repeal the gateway.
The Master knew all too well the Fae would not forgive the slaying of their own, and by the blood of one whom they considered to be their own. Aaron’s betrayal ensured the destruction of the sacred covenant, and denied the Council their only weapon against the Gydgen.
Tymoria’s body descended into Samsara’s depths and joined the other twelve, murdered by his hand. He shook his head and walked to the east of the lake, attempting to escape the scent of death and wrongdoing that haunted him. Each task the Master allocated, worse than the one before, and piece by piece poisoning his spirit. Aaron mourned for the man lost.
A hefty price paid for the knowledge of his father’s untimely death. He cursed his ability for getting him into this position and yet at the same time was grateful to it for allowing him the opportunity to keep his secrets. The Master remained unaware that Aaron was the mole hiding within their ranks.
His thoughts shifted to the family he had left behind, and his cheeks burned with the shame. He imagined his mother standing there, her face stained with tears and her eyes full of disgust for the monster he had become.
Pulling the black onyx shard free from his pocket, he drew the rune into the sand and sat cross-legged. The Master would not keep him waiting for long.
A cold mist drifted across the waters, heralding the arrival of another. Aaron sprang to his feet at the intrusion. “I did not request your presence.”
It sneered at him from below the dark grey cowl. “I had my doubts about you, but it seems I am mistaken. You have served him well.”
“Where is the Master?” Aaron demanded.
“He had other matters to attend to.”
“My orders were to contact him when the task was complete. I report directly to the Master, not to you.”
It laughed. “There is no need. The Gydgen sensed the gateway shatter as soon as the thirteenth sacrifice was made. The Master already knows of your accomplishment.” It moved closer to study him. “I must admit I never believed you to be capable of betraying your mother. The Master is most impressed by your loyalty, as am I.”
“I have no feelings for my mother,” Aaron declared.
“That is most reassuring, Warlock, particularly as I have your next orders.”
“Oh?” He didn’t care for the glee detected in its voice.
The Chosen one clasped a bony hand to Aaron’s shoulder and hissed, “You will kill your mother.”
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