Sacrifice (Book 4) Read Online Free Page A

Howls of disbelief and agony washed over them and faded as they fell through the air, ground rushing toward them. Gen held her tight, and she clung to him just as hard, eyes closed and wind whistling in her ears. When their feet settled lightly on the canyon floor, she opened her eyes.
    Gen regarded her kindly, extending his hand beneath her veil and rubbing her face. “I am so sorry, Chalaine,” he said, face sad.
    “What happened, Gen?”
    “He tricked everyone, Chalaine. He has won today.”
    “My Child! What has he done to my Child?” she cried, hands trembling.
    “He unmade it, Chalaine. The baby’s gone. I am sorry. I could not get to you sooner to warn you.”
    She collapsed on the ground and wept. “How? It’s impossible!” Gen pulled her to him for several moments and let her cry before picking her up and moving. They had to hide. If the Padras chose to pursue them, he had nothing with which to counter their magic. Uyumaak corpses lay everywhere in grotesque shapes, and he hiked away from them until their sight and stench no longer assaulted their senses. A nearby boulder-fall among a copse of fir trees provided seclusion, and he set the Chalaine down in the shade. She refused to relinquish her grip on his neck, and he pulled her onto his lap and held her as she collected herself.
    “I have failed, Gen,” she finally said. “I am a wretch.”
    “No, Chalaine. You did everything the prophecy said you would. The rest of us have failed you, and I not the least.”
    “What happened to you?” she asked. “Why did that creature have you?”
    Gen explained the story to her, and she listened, numb. “And so, Chalaine, the world thinks I am a villain now, and perhaps I am. If the Padras come, you will need to leave me behind. Your mother and Lord Kildan’s army should be here soon, if all went as planned. I’d hoped they would be here now. The Shadan and an elf named Falael were also supposed to join me, but it is possible they, too, think I have betrayed them.”
    “I won’t leave you, Gen,” she promised softly. “I know the truth. What happiness have I ever known without you? If the world is to suffer from my failure, please take me where I cannot hear their accusing voices. Take me where I can forget the beautiful face of my son!” Gen mourned with her as she sobbed, finding no words to offer her.
    “Chalaine!” someone yelled.
    “Dason?” the Chalaine asked, wiping her eyes and disengaging herself from Gen. “I’ve got to explain to him!”
    “Gen!”
    Gen pulled his sword. “It’s Torbrand, too. Let me talk to them.”
    “No, let me,” the Chalaine offered. “Dason will listen to me.”
    “Together, then.”
    They stepped out from their cover, finding Dason, Torbrand, and Falael walking toward the place of their concealment, Dason—face decorated with new bruises—pointing the way.
    “I have done her no harm,” Gen said. “Please hear me out! You have been deceived! What happened was not. . .”
    “Shut up. We know,” Torbrand said.
    “How?” Gen asked.
    “Joranne. After Mikkik had descended in his ‘glory,’ she woke us up and explained the whole ruse, telling us we had to save Chertanne and the Chalaine at all costs. One out of two isn’t bad. After Gen stabbed Mikkik, she kicked us over the edge and fled. Chertanne was transcended, and you had jumped with the Chalaine. Soldiers started flooding out onto the bridge. We grabbed Dason. Had to beat him a fair bit to get him to listen.”
    Dason strode forward and pulled the Chalaine protectively aside. “Is it true, Milady?” he said, voice gravelly.
    “It is true, Dason. Your Queen has failed, and Mikkik will destroy us all.”
    “None of this can be laid to your charge!” Dason asserted.
    “I must sit. My legs will no longer carry me,” she said, and Dason helped her down to lean against a tree.
    “Any sign of Mirelle and that army of hers?” Torbrand asked.
    “No,” Gen answered.
    “Odd,” Torbrand said.