Knight of Darkness Read Online Free PDF Page A

and Galahad had insisted on in direct contradiction to Arthur’s wishes.
    “ I need no fancy crate for my remains. Spend the goldon those who are still living. Where I’ll be, for better or worse, it’ll do me no good. But if it’ll feed one hungry child, it’ll be much better spent than on a dead man’s grave. ”
    Arthur truly had been a great man.
    Clearing his throat against the knot that suddenly appeared to choke him, Varian took Tarynce to a small table that was against the far wall and laid the body on it. He took a moment to drape the man’s arms over his chest so that he looked as peaceful as possible. Then he whispered a small prayer for the man’s soul before he closed Tarynce’s eyes one last time.
    “Merlin?” he said quietly, knowing she could hear him. “I’ve returned.”
    The air beside him stirred an instant before she appeared. “That didn’t take long.”
    He stepped away from the body. “The information wasn’t well guarded. I know the name of his executioner and from my mother’s own lips, I know that they’ve learned other grail knights exist.”
    She sucked her breath in sharply at that as she stepped back as if to leave. “I will send word to them.”
    “No,” he said sternly.
    “Why not?”
    “My mother and Morgen both know the good guy playbook. You start notifying the others, and they’ll follow your messengers right to their doorsteps. It’s probably why my mother told me soeasily. I’m sure she’s waiting for us to move so they can, too.”
    Still Merlin wasn’t appeased. “We have to warn them. They need to know.”
    “Not yet. Besides, once word of Tarynce’s death spreads beyond the walls of Avalon, they’ll know to be on guard. Morgen has no names at this point although I’m sure she can figure out a couple of them, same as me. But the rest should be safe…at least for the time being. Let me talk to Bracken and see what else I can learn before you alert anyone.”
    She actually gaped at his words. “The demon Bracken?”
    He had no idea why she was surprised. “It’s why you wanted me on this assignment, isn’t it?”
    Shaking her head, she reached for him. “Varian—”
    He moved back, out of reach. “It’s all right, Merlin. Dealing with assholes is my specialty.”
    “Assholes are one thing. Insane demons are another.”
    He snorted at that. “Maybe in your book. In mine they’re the same. Both cowardly bastards who come at my back.” He had much more important things to worry about than Bracken. But as he neared the exit for the tomb, he paused as unfounded pain washed through him. “Just promise me one thing, Merlin.”
    “And that is?”
    He glanced to the brutalized body of the fallen knight and remembered the last time he’d broughta body home from Morgen’s abuse. “If I die, make sure I’m cremated. I don’t want Morgen putting me on display for the others.”
    She gave him a gimlet stare as if she understood the nightmare he still had of his father’s death. He might not have loved or respected his father, but no man deserved to die the way Lancelot had.
    “I promise.”
    Nodding, he made his way from the tomb out into the light of the courtyard. The air here was sweet, scented by apples and lilac, the light sublime and warm against his skin. This was Avalon. A perfect paradise that had once existed on earth. But he also knew the darker side that lived here in the sanctity of this place.
    Maybe he was being stupid by fighting his mother and her wants. Maybe he should switch his allegiance. Really, would there be a difference?
    An image of the hapless crone in the abbey being bandied between the men flashed in his mind. Along with the sight of her gratitude when he’d picked up the goblet and handed it to her. She was the reason why he fought alongside Merlin. His life had sucked, but it shouldn’t be that way for others. Arthur had taught him to let go of the bitterness and embrace a better way. If he could spare one kid