A Kiss of Darkness (Gothos Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

the House of Clothos, Amerus sat her down and insisted to know what happened in the village verbatim. The old man was absolutely shaken by the things that had been out of his control. The thought of her getting hurt seemed to effect him greatly. Sitting across with him she recited her version of the events the best to her ability. Amerus looked relieved when he heard that she was saved. “You saw the Sythians? Tell me about that” he said unable to mask his relief was replaced by heightened interest in the rare encounter. Sera didn’t want to think about those creatures that attacked the village and terrorized the people as it was traumatic, but she understood the academic interest her teacher and mentor had. Looking into her his eyes she wondered how she could explain the man she had met, who had saved her life. The words themselves could not describe it. It was those eyes that left her breathless. Sera walked into the hall after debriefing her mentor and walked out into the hall. Calus was leaning against the wall waiting for her and hurried to her when she left the room. “Sera, thank the gods that you are alright. I heard what happened down in the village. I should have been there but the Captain was putting me through some exercises.” He said running his thumb over her brow and down the side of her face, reassuring himself that she was really there in one peace. “I’m okay, and I helped the injured. It is a relief that none of the villagers were seriously injured. The creatures seemed to come out of nowhere” she explained frowning a bit as the memory of it washed over her. Seeing the flicker of terror in her face he enfolded her in his arms, pressing her face against his armored chest. “It’s over. I promise that I won’t let anyone harm you” Calus vowed softly to her still stroking the side of her face. Sera knew he was distraught and wanted to put his mind at ease, but the attack left her uncertain, she was left pondering what she witnessed. She followed when Calus took her hand and led her to the garden. The flowers in the garden were almost in bloom around the stone benches splashes of reds and blues. The vines crept around the statues. Sera sat down on the cool bench and looked at him her eyes tracing the worry lines that had formed on his face. The shakiness in her joints had ebbed away by then leaving her mind clearer than before. The creatures that had attacked the village were terrifying, but now that she came to think about it they had attacked the healthy men and cattle. When she saw Calus’s brow knitting together she forced a smile. “I will be alright. I was saved by the Golgothian knight, Dominic” she told him. There was a long moment that Calus stared at her. “I am thankful. He is a great warrior” he said calmly, though there seemed like something he wanted to say but he wouldn’t allow himself. Reflexively she reached up and touched his cheek. “What is it?” she asked, cocking her head to the side studying the thoughtful look on his face. The warrior shook his head slowly as if removing the doubt in his mind. “I will have to thank him when I see him again” he commented quietly. There was something he wasn’t telling her and she could read that in his eyes and the lines in his face. The hesitation to speak his mind when it came to this man who rescued her made her feel a bit uneasy, but she ignored that sense not wanting to cause him further distress. “If that is what you wish” she replied after a long pause.
    Sera would not see Dominic again till ten days hence. It was when the Gogothian Knights would come to the Hall of Clothos with the king himself to speak to the Protector of the stone of the Unseen. This role was filled by Talos of course who was given a big responsibility that the uncertain young man was reluctant to give. He couldn’t deny the king’s request and fly against the traditions of the land. The House of Clothos was decorated for the occasion and a