Seduced by Magic Read Online Free Page A

led by the high priest Darkwolf, had employed the darkest of rituals to bring forth the demons.They had sacrificed the lives of innocents and had used their blood.
    Darkwolf wore a stone eye on a chain about his neck, and it was believed by the D’Danann to be a tool of the ancient god Balor. Somehow Balor was influencing the will of the warlocks to bring forth his minions.
    Fomorii could inhabit another being’s body, killing the host instantly while the demon took over the being’s shell, virtually becoming that person or creature. In their natural state, the demons were of hideous shapes and colors. Some had one eye like the god Balor, while others had many. Their limbs were odd-sized or numerous, as well. They had long needlelike teeth and horrible claws. The Formorii had started tipping their claws in iron, which was deadly to Elves and Fae, including the D’Danann.
    Even though he could not see his comrades just yet, Tiernan knew that Hawk and the other D’Danann Enforcers crept just as quietly around the building, and some of the D’Danann had flown to the rooftop to gain entrance. The witches who had insisted on accompanying them were, surprisingly, as light-footed as the D’Danann.
    When Tiernan passed an open window, a whiff of rotten fish invaded his nose. Yes. The stench of the Fomorii. Only there was not more than a hint of it. No doubt the D’Danann and witches were too late; but he did not let down his guard.
    Tiernan reached the steps leading to the door of the building and Hawk appeared around the corner, across from him.
    â€œI fear they have left,”
Tiernan said in mind-speak to Hawk.
    â€œAye.”
Hawk gave a sharp nod of agreement, but held his sword at the ready, just as Tiernan did.
    Part of the D’Danann magic was the ability to tread so lightly when they willed it that not even the slightest soundcould be heard. Despite their size, their boots, and their muscled bulk, not a single step creaked beneath Tiernan’s and Hawk’s combined weight as they eased their way up the weathered stairs.
    However, they could not control the squeak of the door-knob or the scrape of the rotting door as Tiernan opened it. The peeling paint was rough beneath his palm when he placed it against the wood and pushed it all the way open. At once he smelled dust and decay along with the demon stench.
    They entered a narrow hallway and the smell of Fomorii grew stronger. But not strong enough. As they worked their way through the building, Tiernan and Hawk communicated with their fellow warriors using mind-speak and learned that the other warriors too had found nothing. From what Tiernan could discern, the building was apparently void of any furniture or other objects. It was stripped bare—it probably had been that way before the Fomorii had taken possession of it. The smell of rotten fish and the deep gouges in the floor and on the walls were the only signs the demons had been there.
    Toward the end of their search, Tiernan came upon a scrap of old parchment that was out of place in this modern world. He found it in a cobwebbed corner of one of the rooms. He frowned as he retrieved the tattered paper that felt rough between his fingers. An ink drawing was sketched on its surface—a vertical rectangle with a circle beneath it. A smaller ring was within the larger circle, and strange runes were etched in the space between the two circles.
    Hawk came up beside Tiernan and studied the drawing, as well. “I believe either you have found something of import,” Hawk said, “or something meant to lead us astray. Perhaps Silver or one of the other witches can use their knowledge or their divination skills to determine its meaning.”
    Tiernan gently rolled the worn parchment and slipped it into the pocket of his black overcoat that covered his weapons. At one time he hadn’t given much stock in human witches. Not until the D’Anu, with the assistance of