Sorcerer Rising (A Virgil McDane Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page A

of real estate himself and had several businesses that served as fronts for his outfit. But still, Cyrus Aberland?
    Question two: What in the hell did they want from me?
    I gave him a tigh t smile. “Your message said you needed a guide. If you fill me in on the job at hand, we can discuss what I might be able to offer.”
    Cyrus waved his hand casually, as if he was brushing away something he thought distasteful or irrelevant. “I know what you offer and I have no need to smuggle anything from the Aether. What I have planned is something so much more than that. At this point I would be willing to pay much more than your normal rate for your services.”
    More than my rates. Hm. I looked at Aberland’s watch. It looked like Canish silver, enough to retire on.
    “So what kind of business are we talking here?” I asked, keeping Deaton’s cronies in my peripheral vision. “As you most likely know, the primary service I offer is in my knowledge and expertise of the arcane world.” I cleared my throat. “Which does include the Aether.”
    Aberland kept watching me. I found a good reason to take off my hat, placing it in between my hands.
    “We need someone who knows the Aether,” he said quietly. “Someone who can protect a team from any arcane dangers they may encounter, and if required, enter the Aether and bring them back out again.”
    I nodded. “Well, I haven’t done that in some time, but I am well versed on the Aether. What is the expedition concerning?”
    Aberland’s cold smile grew, showing straight, oddly narrow, white teeth. For some unsettling reason it reminded me of the teeth of a predator. Like a wolf or a shark possibly.
    “I want you to chase the Arcus.”
    I rolled my eyes. “You have got to be kidding me,” I said, standing up from the table. I could just see Teplov laughing his ass off right now. “I can’t believe you went to all this trouble,” I waved my hands around at the guards, “just to tell me you want to chase the Rainbow!” I shoved my hat back on my head.
    Aberland cocked an eyebrow. “Is this how you treat all of your clients?”
    I snorted. “You’re not a client until you’ve paid me. If you had, I would take you just about anywhere, but the Arcus is a wild goose chase, a myth. And a dangerous one at that.”
    “A myth?” Deaton asked. “But, how can you say that?”
    Aberland cut him off with a wave. “I must agree with my colleague Mr. McDane. The Guild has documented the Arcus in two of its appearances. As have several other organizations.”
    “The Guild says a lot of things,” I shot back. “They’re pretty sure they know where Atlantis is too, that doesn’t make it true.”
    Aberland motioned to the bartender/bodyguard. “James, a drink for Mr. McDane if you will.” He looked back at me. “Give me a minute of your time and I think you will find my argument most persuading.”
    I was silent. It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to go, and this was still better than most of my meetings went. Usually, I didn’t even get a drink.
    I settled back into my seat.
    “How long have you been away from the city?” Aberland asked, casually taking a drink from his mug.
    I frowned, taking the beer from bodyguard James. “A month,” I replied. “How did you know I’ve been away?”
    He placed a newspaper on the table and slid it across to me. “Because you haven’t had time to read the news.”
    The headline read:
    THE ARCUS, REAL!
     
    That caught my interest. This was the Mare City Times. Not some cheap muckraker magazine. I skimmed the article. No way in hell…
    I heard the window across from me open and looked up. Aberland was smiling and behind him, in the distance and just over the skyline, I could make out a vertical beam of multicolored light.
    The Arcus.
    The Rainbow.
    I took a long swig from the beer. “Forgive me, gentlemen. You seem to have me at a disadvantage. Give me just one moment.”
    I quickly skimmed the article, my mind reeling at what