Legends of Marithia: Book 3 - Talonsphere Read Online Free Page B

love you,” Mestal said.
    “Don’t talk like that. Neither of us are dying now.”
    Tusdar surveyed the distance already covered. The air was silent. Crondor’s lights glowed far from them and the tiny flickers of the elven torches were deep within the forest.
    Maybe that demon finally took priority over fleeing vampires.
    The thought made him chuckle, and he hoped that whatever demon was there would tear their limbs from their bodies. His hunger took over and his stomach growled. Turning to the stars, he saw they were now under the lowlands’ storm clouds.
    Have we really gone so far?
    Tusdar cradled Mestal in his arms and took a few forced steps toward the lowlands. He panted as he expended his last shreds of energy.
    Mestal whispered with a soft voice, “I think they’ve given up on us.”
    Don’t get complacent , Kassina said. Continue on. Now that you’re close enough; our lord has graced you with a gift. You’ve done well. I doubt that Marithians would dare come this close to my tower.
    The clouds rumbled and it began to rain. Tusdar stuck out his tongue and tasted blood. He gently lowered Mestal to the rock bed and wiped the dark tears from his eyes. He couldn’t believe it.
    Looks like I made the right choice after all. Vartan and the resistance left me for dead. With the forces of darkness, I have found love, redemption, and they had saved their lives. I must not betray their kindness.
    He laid a kiss on his love’s head and laughed.
    Mestal’s voice trailed off as she said, “Never have I been so happy to hear her voice in my head.”
    They cupped their hands, sipped blood, and regained their senses as their hunger subsided. Tusdar’s vision sharpened and he watched the forest’s edge. His eyes widened as the image of a scantily clad woman, crouched and feasting on a steaming hot heart, appeared before him. As she caught sight of him, her eyes glowed white. Blood streamed down her arms and chin; she scowled and rose to her feet. Tusdar opened his mouth, but the demon fled deep into the forest before he had the chance to speak.
    It appears that the demon lives. Wumvarn managed to escape from Greenhaven after all. She should have been punished for defying me , Kassina said.
    Should we pursue her? We’re recovering our strength , he thought.
    Let her go. I doubt you’ve both got the power to defeat a master demon. I’ll deal with her later, but your courage is refreshing.
    They wiped their mouths clean and turned toward the lowlands, bolting at a renewed speed toward the vampire city, Zhendur. Their replenished power coursed through their darkened veins. The clouds erupted in a vicious storm, pelting their skin with hail and intense winds. They covered their faces with their arms and leapt over the many large cracks in the lowlands. They bounded across the decayed ground. Cloud flashes were accompanied by blinding forks of lightning.
    Your gift came at a price , Kassina said. This storm is out of control; be careful out there.
    The lightning struck the ground in Mestal’s path; she cried out as she changed direction to leap toward him. “I’m blinded!”
    He barely caught her tunic as she dangled over the mouth of a wide crack between them.
    “It’s my turn to save you from an edge,” Tusdar said, pulling her into his arms. Their clothes flapped in the angry winds, and their hair whipped around their heads.
    After all they had been through, there was no way he was going to let anything stop them from reaching safety.
    “Hold on to me,” he said, kneeling down and pulling her onto his back. “We’re so close now.”
    Another lightning strike lit up Kassina’s tower. The tall, layered structure acted like a lighthouse to guide their way. His legs carried them as fast as they could, and he groaned with each blurred leap. They continued through the lowlands, often changing directions to avoid the many bolts of lightning.
    The edge of the sheer fall known as Eagle’s Drop came into view, and