Sunset: Pact Arcanum: Book One Read Online Free PDF

we are not your enemy.”
    “But you’re still one of them,” Jeremy said, his thoughts circling the citadel of Nick’s mind, which bristled with power. “I can feel it. You’re not human—and not Sentinel.”
    Nick shook his head. “The physical changes wrought by the Red Wind are irreversible. That’s what you’re feeling—the altered architecture of my mind. But I am not Red. You’d be able to feel the difference if you had full command of your Gift.”
    “But I don’t, so why should I accept any of this?” Jeremy said defiantly. “Show me some proof.”
    After a long pause, Nick said, “Do you have any particular religious beliefs, Jeremy?”
    “What?” asked Jeremy, surprised at the change in tack. “My mom raised me Irish Catholic, but I haven’t been to church in years. Why?”
    Nick looked at Scott. “Give him a cross.”
    Scott hesitated. “Are you sure?”
    Nick nodded.
    Reaching into an inner pocket of his vest, Scott pulled out a long silver cross and handed it to Jeremy.
    Jeremy looked at the cross in his hand, confused. “What am I supposed to do with this? I don’t have the magic to activate it.”
    “You have a faith-matched holy symbol to use as a focus,” said Nick. “Do you remember how to invoke a Faith Ward?”
    “Sure, I know the spell, but that won’t do me any good. I have no power.”
    “A Faith Ward is borrowed power,” explained Scott. “It exists outside the parameters of the Gift. Frame your intent, invoke the spell, and if your purpose is judged pure, the Light will answer.”
    Jeremy swallowed, looking down at the cross. He glanced at the bomb and at the bodies of his fallen comrades before turning to Nick. “I’m not exactly a pure person.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” said Nick. “You’re a Sentinel. You swore your allegiance to the White Wind with your very first breath and will serve until the day you die. Once the ward is established, it will negate any dark magic that touches it. If I am a Child of Darkness, I will be reduced to dust when I try to cross your circle.”
    Jeremy stared at him for several seconds. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and bowed his head. Lord, I know we haven’t been on speaking terms lately, but I ask that You lend me the smallest part of Your strength so that I can see the truth for myself. His lips moved silently as he invoked the spell.
    The world exploded in light. Jeremy’s eyes snapped open, focusing on Nick. The entire scene was lit by a bright blue glow, and he could see the light of the vampire’s soul shining from his chest. A halo composed of countless lights spun around his head. It was beautiful—beautiful beyond anything Jeremy had ever witnessed. That was enough to make him pause. I have to be sure. I have to know.
    He lifted the cross in his hand and held it up toward Nick. It burst into searing blue light, encircling him with azure flames.
    Stepping forward, Nick casually crossed the circle of flames unharmed. “Now do you believe me?” he asked.
    “Take it.” Jeremy’s voice resonated with power. “Take the focus from my hand, and I will believe it all.”
    Nick crossed the remaining distance between them and reached out to grasp the cross. For a moment, they both gripped it, and then the color of the light changed to a bright, actinic white as Jeremy let his hand fall. Nick was left clutching the radiant white cross, his eyes filled with light as the circle of flames died away.
    “No!” yelled Scott. Sprinting forward, he pushed Jeremy out of the way and grasped Nick’s shoulders. “Nick, listen to me! You have to let go. You’re trying to channel a Pure Draw. You have to stop. It’ll kill you!”
    “It’s so beautiful,” said Nick, lost in a dream, his eyes staring straight ahead. He began to sing softly in a language no one in the room could understand.
    “I know. God, I know. But you can’t stay there! You have to stop!” He shook Nick roughly. “Nicholas! Come