Legacy of Blood Read Online Free PDF Page A

plain to see you have grown attached to this human, otherwise you would have never interfered with my orders.”
    Hagan took a deep breath and glanced over at me, but I didn’t dare take my eyes off Ruarc to see what emotion lay behind his gaze.  I didn’t trust Ruarc at all; it was no secret he didn’t like me.  “She is worthy of my respect…and yours, my leader.  Let her prove to An Dilis that she is more Day Walker than she is the monster.  I fall on your mercy and humbly request that you give her a reprieve from her death sentence.  Give me thirty days to prove to you that she is ours and of God, dheartháir .  You will be sentencing an innocent woman to death if you proceed with your plan.  We took an oath, brother; to protect the innocent at all costs and defend them against dark forces.  Killing an innocent will be a stain on your soul and one God will not forget.  Remember the words you told me long ago when I sought my revenge on dheartháir Arturo’s murderer and all those the murderer made: “ That be far from you to do after this manner; to slay the righteous with the wicked and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from you. Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right, my son? For those that do not, let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.   If I am grossly wrong, which I doubt, by our tAthair Naofa , I’ll kill her myself.”
    Ruarc sighed heavily and indecision flickered across his face as he studied me.  Hagan’s words seemed to be having the desired effect on him and Ruarc looked like he was considering Hagan’s proposal.
    But me?  I was completely shocked at what Hagan had just done.  He had stood up for me and fought for my right to live.  Hagan may have been my teacher, but I never knew he cared a single snit about me before this moment.  His words touched me deeply and I began to see a whole other side to my fearless trainer.
    I turned my attention back to Ruarc and opened my mouth to say something, but Hagan clamped a firm hand to it before I could mutter a single sound.
    “Shut it, Morrison,” he whispered gravely in my ear.  “Your very life is being decided as is your very next breath.  Now is not the time for your ever colorful commentary.”
    My eyes widened as I heard his words, the gravity of the situation finally settling in, but I had one thing I had to say.  Ruarc was treating me as if I was some kind of monster and I wasn’t.  I was still me…a little fucked up sure, but I was still me, dammit.
    I shook off Hagan’s hand and met Ruarc’s stunning emerald eyes bravely.  “Whatever is inside me now does not change the core of the person I am.  I’m still me, Ruarc.”
    “You will advise the… girl,” he growled begrudgingly to Hagan, “not to address me again or I’ll cut out her tongue.”
    My colorless eyes grew wide as I quickly shut my mouth.  Hagan shot me a look that screamed I told you so, stupid! .
    Ruarc looked back at Archer, then at his men as indecision played at his brow.  The room was utterly quiet as Ruarc pondered over my fate.  Finally, he turned to me again with another heavy sigh and looked me up and down one last time. 
    “If you are certain this is what you want to do, let it be known you have used your only favor with me, son,” he addressed Hagan sternly, his eyes never leaving mine.  “It is only because you are my child that I grant her stay.  You will prove to me beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is worthy to live.  If she fails even one of my tests you will kill her yourself, is that clear?”
    “Crystal, athair ,” Hagan respectfully nodded.  “Thank you for your graciousness and mercy, sir.”
    “Do not thank me yet,” Ruarc said as he crossed his arms over his chest and finally slid his gaze over to Hagan.  “She still straddles death’s door.”
    He then turned and addressed Killian.  “Your duty here is done, my son.  You will