Bane of the Dead (Seraphim Revival Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

share the core seraph technologies with the Earth Nation, but this compromise had worked so far.
    A gangplank extended from a ledge level with the seraph’s waist, and Seth walked across it. Spindly armatures like insects legs descended from the ceiling and clawed at his seraph, removing conformal weapon pods and opening patches in the mnemonic skin for servicing.
    Seth’s interface-suit’s textured, storm-gray skin fit tightly around his body. He took off his helmet and ran gloved fingers through a short crop of damp black hair. He glanced over his surroundings with dark eyes.
    The armband on his i-suit was a vivid purple that matched his chaos frequency and bore the Aktenai seal. To his Earther allies, it resembled an inverted cursive i holding a white sphere. To him, it was life and purpose given form.
    One of the several seraph technicians in the bay approached. He stood a head taller than Seth. More people did.
    “Pilot Elexen, does your seraph require any special attention?” the technician asked.
    Seth handed over his helmet. “Not at this time. The standard checks will do.”
    “Of course, Pilot.” The technician bowed his head.
    “Has Pilot S’Kev arrived yet?”
    “I believe so.” The technician motioned to Seth’s right. “She should be in the next bay over.”
    “Thank you.” Seth headed over to meet Quennin.
    Seth passed through the open airlock separating the two seraph bays. Within the second bay, another red seraph was being raised up. But unlike Tevyr’s, this one sported chaos shunts stylized as large kite-shaped crystals, one embedded in each forearm, leg, and wing. A single larger crystal pushed out from the center of the chest.
    Its familiar sight brought a smile to his face.
    The bay machinery finished hauling the seraph into position. A gangplank extended from the ledge, and a tall figure walked out, clad in a gray i-suit like his own.
    Quennin S’Kev removed her helmet and handed it to the waiting technician. Thanks to Aktenai medical science, age had failed to blemish her beauty, and the tight i-suit complemented the fit curves of her tall, elegant body. She pulled her long red hair out of her i-suit’s neck ring, allowing it to sway with each step. A silver clasp, decorated with a single emerald, gripped the hair near the nape of her neck.
    Quennin stopped next to him and smiled warmly, her bright green eyes lighting up.
    Seth bowed his head slightly. “Beloved.”
    “Have you talked to Tevyr, yet?” she asked.
    “No, I thought having both of us present might help.”
    “It didn’t last time.”
    Seth shrugged, then motioned to the exit. “Shall we?”
    “I’ll follow your lead this time.”
    A few bays down, the flame-red seraph loomed above, its Litany shunts dark against its bright armor. Tevyr waited outside the seraph’s cockpit, a nervous expression on his face. A small crowd of EN pilots had gathered in the overlooking balcony.
    The teenage pilot was already taller than Seth, though quite lanky. He made Seth think of a shorter person stretched to his current height by some archaic Earth torture device. Tevyr’s hair matched the fiery color scheme of his seraph. He tried to massage his right shoulder through the i-suit.
    Seth glanced up at the seraph, eyes drawn to the collapsed right shoulder and limp right arm.
    “I didn’t hit you with a dagger, Tevyr. If there had been any real damage, your i-suit would have fixed it.”
    “I know, but it still stings.”
    “Well? Don’t make me wait any longer. Explain yourself.”
    Tevyr stopped rubbing his shoulder, looking troubled. He turned to Quennin, only to be confronted by her crossed arms and stern gaze. Clearly, no sympathy or support was forthcoming from that direction.
    Tevyr took a deep breath and inclined his neck. “I started it, Father.”
    “Very well. I think that’s enough flying for this exercise. Your seraph is grounded until I decide otherwise. You can assign command of your squadron to Pilot