Blood Prophecy: Kallen's Tale Read Online Free PDF

she finally drips several drops of blood
into the bowl, she hands me the knife.  Athames are a Witch thing.  It does not
bother me at all to use it.  I repeat the process of stabbing my finger and
letting the blood drift in the bowl.
    “Speak the words of the
oath,” the Witch spirit says.
    Gladly.  I am going to make
sure that this woman can cause no harm to Xandra or her parents.  Trying not to
look smug, I begin.  “By this blood, let Queen Athear Levex join me in my oath
to protect Xandra Illuminata Smith from harm or death, whether by magical,
natural, spiritual, Cowan, blood relative or any otherworldly means.  This
binding will forsake previous loyalties forged by blood, marriage, debt or
friendship.  If we choose to sacrifice our own lives for our cause, our dying
breath will be spent in an effort to fulfill the promises set forth with this
binding.”  Death can be painful, but death from a broken blood oath?  Much more
so.  It is like burning from the inside out.  Slowly.  “Let the laws of the
Sheehogue take precedence over Witch law in concerns to this binding, and let
the Witch and Fairy magic come together as a force to hold this oath true and
unable to be unbound by either.”  Suddenly, the woman looks smug.  I have a
very bad feeling about this. 
    As Xandra’s mother recites
the words for the blood oath binding, I go over the oath in my head, trying to
figure out why the woman is smug.  “Bound by blood, moon and tide, by this oath
you must abide.  If by traitorous heart you deceive, or by lack of courage you
mislead, count that breath to be your last, as the earth will claim its next
repast.”  
    Our blood sparks as it comes
together and a billow of smoke rises from the bowl.  When it clears, the blood
has turned the color of amber.  Why?  Because I just got my answer as to why
the woman is feeling smug.  Angel blood reacts differently to blood oaths than
any other magical being’s.  She is an Angel.  And even her daughter does not
know this.  And now, because I was so meticulous with my oath, I am bound under
Sheehogue law to keep her secret according to a treaty created centuries ago. 
I cannot even imagine how pissed Xandra is going to be about me not explaining
what just happened.  I lock my eyes with the Angel’s and I know she senses the
cold fury rising behind mine.  I will find a way to get even with her for
this. 
    Leaning over the bowl,
Xandra asks, “What was that?”
    Xandra’s mother turns to the
Angel.  “Did you attempt to nullify the oath?”
    The Angel closes her eyes
and sighs.  “No, I did not."  Opening her eyes again, she tells a lie so
outrageous, even I am stunned.  “That is what happens when a Witch and a Fairy
form a blood oath.”
    “Is that true?” Xandra asks.
    Bound by Sheehogue law, I
may not willingly identify an Angel to others.  So, if I say that she is lying,
I will simply have to come up with yet another lie to cover this up.  I weigh
this in my mind and decide that one lie is better than two.  I will most
definitely seek revenge for this.  Soon.  “It can.” I say through tight lips.  Then
add, “The oath is complete.”
     “Are you sure?” Xandra’s
father asks.
    Dragging my eyes from the
Angel, I reassure him.  “I am positive.”  Angel liar or not, she is still as
bound to this oath as I am.  Xandra is giving me funny looks so I try to avoid
moving my eyes in her direction.
    The Cowan spirit’s doubt has
not been relieved by my lackluster attempt at reassurance.  He turns to his
wife.  “So, what, now we’re supposed to just welcome her into our home?  I
don’t like this, Julienne.  There is something going on with that woman,” he
flings his arm towards the Angel, “that I don’t trust.”
    Xandra is trying hard to get
my attention.  “What’s going on?” she hisses.
    I know she is not going to
believe me, and I know cryptic answers anger her, but I try anyway.  “All is
well.”