Blood of Innocents (Book Two of the Sorcery Ascendant Sequence) Read Online Free Page B

made myself clear, so listen. This isn’t just for me. If I can find a cure for myself, then I can use it for other illnesses—sicknesses that until now would have been fatal, or severely debilitating. Think about it. This is important. It could mean the end of so much suffering.”
    Caldan sighed. “I know. But after the invasion, it’s imperative I warn the Protectors, and try and heal Miranda. Hopefully, the Protectors will know what to do.”
    “Why? Isn’t this sorcery no one’s seen before?”
    Inwardly, Caldan cursed himself for his slip. “Yes,” he lied. “But they must have some idea how to heal her.”
    “Well, I need to find somewhere to start work.”
    “Now you’ve got what you want, Miranda’s illness and Anasoma falling don’t worry you, do they?”
    Elpidia’s shrug was weary. “I won’t worry much if I’m dead.” She gazed at the glass vial in her hand, red with Caldan’s blood. “We should leave early tomorrow. We need tonight to recover. We’ve been pushing too hard.”
    “We will. You can go your own way, and I’ll worry about the rest.”
    “It’s not your responsibility. Just get Miranda to a physiker. There isn’t much else you can do.”
    Caldan’s eyes flicked to Bells and back again. Maybe Elpidia was right. He’d fled Anasoma after the Protectors had been slaughtered, and he couldn’t affect anything there. And whatever the Indryallans were up to, Bells was no longer part of it. Now she was a prisoner, and her only use to him was in healing Miranda.
    When they arrived back at the camp, Amerdan was sitting cross-legged a few steps from the fire, gazing into the flames, while Bees stood away from the smoke, hands in pockets. Only Bees looked up as they approached.
    “Ducats,” he said.
    Amerdan gave a brief smile but said nothing, looking at Bees like he was a halfwit. Elpidia shook her head and went to busy herself with her gear, no doubt to make sure her precious vial was secured.
    “What about them?” asked Caldan.
    “I have a business to get back to. We’ve probably lost any pursuit, and they don’t know I was with you. Anyone who could recognize me is dead or…” Bees’ eyes shifted to Bells.
    “I recognize you.” Bells’ voice echoed around them. “And I won’t forget.”
    Bees swallowed and looked away. “I’ll head back to Anasoma in the morning and sneak inside. I can’t do much out here, and there will be a lot of opportunities because of the invasion. I’m not much good out here, and the city is what I know. I’ll head a little way south then turn back east. Without… er… the girl slowing me down… I can get back pretty quickly.” He studiously avoided looking at Miranda.
    Caldan nodded slowly. Bees’ skills lay in his network in the city. Out here, he was not much use, but he could at least take a message back to Anasoma.
    “I want you to find a friend of mine, Izak Fourie, and his friend Sir Avigdor.”
    Bees scratched his cheek. “I’ve heard of them both, but not many have heard of Avigdor; I’m surprised you have. He likes to keep a low profile, but we are in the same business.”
    “Information.”
    “Yes. I’ve had occasion to sell him a few tidbits, so I can get word to him. Provided he isn’t in hiding now. What do you want me to tell him? This’ll cost you a few ducats, too.”
    Caldan thought for a few moments. From what Avigdor had said when they met, he was sure the man knew more about the Protectors than he let on. Which wasn’t surprising, given his profession.
    “I don’t know how much he knows about the invasion, so what information we have could be worthless to him, but… tell him the Protectors are all dead.” Caldan hoped he’d know what that meant. “And tell him we’ll try to warn the Protectors in the other cities. Also, the Indryallans must be after something in Anasoma. I can’t think of any reason why they would seal the city, unless they didn’t want someone or something to