Sky Pirates Read Online Free Page B

increasing the outflow of power. He watched with satisfaction as the Grand Master’s power slowly started to wane. The light emanating from him grew fainter and fainter and then quietly went out. Bright flames appeared around him, catching his clothes, before finally enveloping him.
    De Montague gave a cry of anguish and pain. The flames went out as life left him, and his body fell to the floor in a blackened heap.
    Patrice watched on as the last remains of the GrandMaster—the supreme guardian of the barrier between the realms of Shadow and Light—turned to dust before his eyes.
    The room fell into a shocked silence. No one moved—or even breathed.
    Patrice stared at the sad little heap of dust before him with growing delight. He had never used his power with such unrestrained force on another human before, and the results were both frightening and wonderful. He would have to remember how he did that for next time.
    The other warlocks continued to stare at him. De Montague had been the oldest and most powerful among them. Their terror and unease radiated from their very core.
    “Well, gentlemen, can I have your answer or does anyone else wish to duel?” Patrice said.
    “I vote to join,” Master Chen, the Chinese warlock, said without hesitation. “I pledge my loyalty to you, Shadow Master.” He bowed his head in reverence.
    The others all started speaking at the same time and nodding in frightened agreement.
    Patrice allowed himself to smile. Slowly and with deliberate enjoyment, he sat down in the chair which de Montague had occupied just minutes before. The seat was still warm.
    “Winner keeps what he conquers,” he murmured in response to the shocked looks around him.
    Master Obanwedya cleared his throat. He was a big man, dressed in the deep red ceremonial robes of the Shaman of Western Africa. “I think I speak for us all when I say we acknowledge you, Grand Master Chevalier, Keeper of the Realms of Light and Shadow.” The others all nodded in agreement.
    All except one.
    “What do you say, Master Lewis?” Patrice said as he met the gaze of the American. Lewis had been a goodfriend of Hugh Marsh. It was very important to ensure that everyone knew where the American’s loyalties lay, for he could be trouble in the future.
    “I’d say that you won the battle to the death, and so you are within your rights to claim the title. I never cared for de Montague much, but I will reserve judgment on the rest, if you don’t mind. As they say, rather the devil you know than the one you don’t,” said Lewis.
    “Fair enough.” Patrice inclined his head. It would take a little time for them to come around, but he did not mind. He could wait. It would not take long for them to support him, not when they understood what his plans for the Council were.
    He turned to the parchment, which lay on the table before him. It was an agenda of points that de Montague had intended to discuss at the meeting.
    “Gentlemen, shall we continue? Many of you have traveled far for this gathering and I am sure you are all eager to conclude the business.” He tore the agenda in half and threw it into the fireplace beside him. The pages burst into flame and reduced to charred black fragments in moments.
    “First order of business: I would propose that we finally put an end to the perpetual problem of our current—and rather wayward—Oracle. Indulging her has wasted enough of our time, and I move that she should be brought to order without delay. The time to restore the power of the Council has come,” he said.
    The other warlocks looked on with varying degrees of hesitation. What Patrice was proposing was both grim and distasteful.
    “Motion seconded,” said Master Chen, rubbing his hands together.
    “Now, allow me to fill you in on the plans I have.” Patrice sat forward as he started to outline his vision for the future.
    As he spoke, the other warlocks nodded in agreement. A few of them even smiled and, for the first time