Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere Read Online Free

leads back to Tr’Arch River. We’ll make our way through the lowlands.” He took a moment to watch the red moonlight illuminate his lover’s face. The soft glow accentuated the feminine features on her otherwise powerful frame.
    “That sounds like a good plan, but we haven’t fed; we are weak. Shall I take the lead?”
    He brought her close and took her by the hand. She was shaking. Her mask of resilience failed to hide her crumbling physique. “No. Hold on to me and stay close, all right?”
    He led her across the street’s shadows. Their blood granted them superior speed, even while weakened. They ran to lean against an ice cold wall, beside a crumbling graveyard. Spirits whispered their names from every corner. Tusdar brought a finger to his lips as he watched shadows move. Surveying their location, they were in between three houses and had no other way out.
    “Damn it,” Tusdar said. He crouched down and clenched his jaw, readying himself for the inevitable as footsteps approached. His moment of weakness was overcome as he looked at Mestal again, steeling his strength.
    Come on, you can do this. If you can steal from castles, you can get out of here.
    Peering around the corner, he spied four elven warriors. Two of them wielded flamed torches, which shone against their armour as they patrolled Crondor’s streets. Their young voices echoed through the alleys. He narrowed his eyes as he focused on their position, making out their words.
    “Hey Drubb, do you really think this place is haunted?” a warrior said, staring into the shadows.
    The stockiest elf laughed, making hand puppet shadows of animals in front of his torch. “Boo! We’re out to get ya all!”
    Elves, and not the brightest of them. We have a chance after all , Tusdar thought, managing a grin.
    Furrowing his brow, a smaller warrior punched him in the shoulder. “Stop it! That ain’t funny! I’m seeing and hearing things all over this place. Don’t like this post at all. We were supposed to get reinforcements. Where are the lazy cretins? Probably too busy fucking lonely widows.”
    Latching on to Mestal’s hand and resting the other on his sword’s hilt, Tusdar remained perfectly still as the warriors’ flames licked the air between them. The elves neared their position and halted in the centre of the path. Their elongated shadows danced over the graveyard.
    Drubb shrugged. “Dunno, Marr. Maybe they’re busy helpin’ wit’ the rebuild? Or maybe they’re shackin’ up wit’ our women! Your wife must be gettin’ lonely there without you, aye?”
    The taunted elf’s breath erupted in a cloud of fog as Marr shoved him. “You better watch your mouth!”
    Good! Fight, you bastards, and let us slip out of here.
    Drubb stumbled back from the blow, almost stepping on Tusdar’s hand before the vampire snatched it out of the way.
    Marr growled and raised his clenched fist. “Blasted new recruits! You’ve no respect at all.”
    Tusdar began to draw his blade, its surface about to reach the moonlight. He jumped at the sound of branches snapping, deep within the forest.
    “Hey, do you hear that?” asked another one of the warriors. He stared into the forest surrounding them with squinted eyes.
    Tusdar surveyed the scene, his eyes darting in all directions. He knew that a window of opportunity presented itself, and he readied for the right moment.
    The elves drew their swords and approached the tree line, watching for signs of movement. The elf they called Marr spun his sword’s tip, taunting whatever was in the forest.
    Kassina’s voice entered the vampires’ minds. That was too close! I can’t always get you out of a mess. Keep moving!
    Tusdar rose to his feet, elated at the queen of the darkness lending a hand. He was growing to like her more with each passing day. He helped Mestal to her feet, and they snuck around the building, easing their feet on barren patches of dirt. Taking a few more steps, they entered an area lit by lanterns