Death of a Darklord Read Online Free PDF Page A

feel?” he asked.
    Her blue-green eyes blinked up at him. ”I’m fine.”
    He smiled. ”I don’t believe you.”
    She glanced at his arm. ”You’re hurt.”
    ”Konrad fixed me up. I’m more worried about you.”
    ”Why?” She looked puzzled.
    He smoothed her hair back from her forehead. Her skin felt blessedly warm. ”We sent for a mage.”
    A frown line appeared between her eyes.
    ”You nearly died, Elaine. Your skin was cold as ice. We got you home and bundled you up with hot bricks, bed warmers, anything we could think of. But you stayed cold.” He answered the question in her eyes. ”We don’t know what happened to you. Tereza sent for a mage. Even Jonathan agreed to it.” ”He agreed to let a mage in the house?” Her voice held soft astonishment.
    ”We were all scared for you.”
    ”But Jonathan doesn’t allow mages inside the house. He almost put us out when he found out about my visions.”
    ”Visions are not the same thing as real magic.”
    Elaine smiled. ”I remember the arguments.”

    The household had been divided. No one really wanted a mage in the house, but neither did anyone want to turn two young children out. It hadn’t been until Tereza sided with those who wished to keep the children that Jonathan had relented.
    Jonathan Ambrose was a mage-finder. It was what he did, who he was. He had been a virulent antimagician. After he accepted Elaine and her visions into the household, he had become more understanding, not so quick to condemn everything supernatural as witchcraft. He accepted that Elaine could have unusual powers and not be evil.
    Jonathan said Elaine had broadened his mind, and he would always be grateful for that. Without anyone saying it aloud, the twins knew they were loved. ”Is the mage here?” Elaine asked.
    ”I don’t know. I’ve been here since they put you to bed.”
    ”You’re hurt. You need to rest, not sit in a chair.” He grinned. ”Like you needed to rest in a warm bed after your vision, not go outside in the winter cold.”
    Elaine blushed. ”I had to go.”
    ”And I had to be here when you awoke.”
    Elaine reached her hand out to him. They held hands quietly, no more talking.
    They didn’t need words.
    There was a knock at the door. Konrad opened the door without waiting for an answer. ”The mage is here. Does Elaine feel well enough to come downstairs, if we help her?”
    ”Why? Can’t the mage come upstairs?” Blaine asked. ”Jonathan won’t allow the mage out of the kitchen. He says just inside the back door is far enough.”
    ”Do you feel well enough to go downstairs, Elaine?” Blaine said.
    ”I think so.” She sat up carefully, arms bracing against the bed.
    Blaine gripped her arm. ”You’re shaking.”
    ”I’m not cold, but I feel weak. I’m not sure I can walk downstairs.”
    ”Then I’ll carry you.”
    ”You’ll be lucky to get yourself down the stairs,” Konrad said. He stepped fully into the room. ”I’ll carry Elaine myself.”
    Blaine opened his mouth to argue, but he realized that Konrad was right. He might be able to limp down the stairs, but he’d never be able to carry anyone. Konrad was already leaning over the bed.
    ”I’ll need a robe,” Elaine said.
    Konrad straightened. ”Of course. I forget sometimes that you’re not a child anymore.” He turned around in the room as if a robe would magically appear. Then he turned back to Elaine. ”I don’t see it.”

    ”It’s in the wardrobe.”
    Konrad moved to the tall, oaken wardrobe that stood against the far wall. He opened the carved doors.
    Clothes were neatly folded on the many shelves; dresses and a blue robe hung on pegs to one side of the shelves. He pulled the robe out and handed it to Elaine.
    ”Turn around, please.”
    ”Blaine has only one good arm. Do you really think he will be able to lift you so you can dress?”
    ”I will dress myself,” she said.
    Konrad gave a soft snort. ”You are too weak.”
    She clutched the robe in her