Eternity: Immortal Witches Book 1 (The Immortal Witches) Read Online Free Page A

man in the driver’s seat snapped the reins, and the wagon trundled away.
    “Where are they takin’ her?” Duncan demanded, addressing Dearborne but keeping his gaze riveted to that wagon—to her—until it rounded a curve and disappeared from sight.
    To the pit beyond the town. Best to get their kind as far from decent folk as possible, lad. You’ll understand one day. This was for the best.”
    “‘Twas murder,” Duncan spat out, “an’ sin of the most vile sort!” He glared at the man now that the wagon was gone from his sight. “I canna continue under the tutelage of a man who would condone it. My studies end here, today, Nathanial. I want no part of your priesthood, for you’ve shown it to be one of purest evil.”
    Nathanial’s cloudy blue eyes narrowed, but not in anger, and he didn’t shout “Blasphemy!” as Duncan had expected.
    He simply said, “I’d hold my tongue, were I in your place, Duncan. You have no idea what sorts of forces you are dealing with.”
    “I willna hold my tongue. I canna!”
    Nathanial shook his head slowly. “You know the teachings of the Church. The elimination of witches is our duty as Christians, Duncan. ‘Tis imperative we wipe them from existence, rid the world of the scourge of witchery.”
    Duncan searched the old man’s face. He’d been close to him once, thought of him almost as fondly as he did his own father. No more. “An’ what will you do next, Nathanial, when you’ve murdered them all? What will your next mission be? To rid the world of anyone else whose beliefs differ from your own?”
    Nathanial smiled. “The Crusades attempted that and failed. I simply seek to do my duty, Duncan. And ‘twill be a service to all Christians if I succeed.”
    “Nay,” Duncan said. “Not all.” And he turned from the man, feeling nothing now but loathing for him–a man he’d once thought to be closer to God than anyone he’d known. But Duncan realized now that Nathanial was nothing. Less than nothing. A killer who seemed to enjoy his work.
    “Where are you going?” Nathanial demanded. “Do not turn your back on me, boy! Answer my question!”
    With a glance over his shoulder and an awareness of the people looking on, listening in, Duncan replied. “I’m goin’ to gather my things, Nathanial. An’ then I’m goin’ to see those two women get a proper burial. After that, I only know I’ll be goin’ as far away from you an’ your kind as I can. You are no man of God, but a hypocrite an’ a killer, an’ I canna abide bein’ in the same village with you.”
    Then he continued on his way without another word, hearing the gasps and whispers of the townspeople as he passed.
    It surprised him when a hand fell upon his shoulder. Stopping in his tracks, he didn’t turn around. For he knew that gnarled old hand well.
    “Duncan, wait,” Nathanial said. “Perhaps I was too harsh. ‘Tis obvious this morning’s work has distressed you. But there is truly no need to take such drastic measures. Surely you do not mean to leave here—”
    “Aye, Nathanial, that I do.”
    “You cannot!”
    Frowning, Duncan turned. Nathanial composed himself, tempered his voice. “Duncan, you’ve been like a son to me. Believe me, boy, were this action not necessary, I’d never have—”
    “But you did. ‘Tis done, Nathanial, an’ there’s no undoin’ it now.”
    Lowering his head, Nathanial drew a breath. “I am ill, Duncan. Surely you know that.”
    “Aye, I know it. I’ve seen you growin’ weaker by degrees, an’ wished to God I could do somethin’ about it, Nathanial. But I canna help you. An’ being ill, even facin’ death itself doesna give you the right to go about hangin’ innocents.”
    “I had no choice.”
    “An’ I have no choice now,” Duncan said. He turned away, having nothing more to say to the old man he’d once loved. But as he walked on, he heard Nathanial continue.
    “‘Tis because of the girl, is it? This is her doing.”
    Duncan