The Destroyer of Worlds Read Online Free PDF Page B

believe that is true. Lithon will need…”
    “You need me,” said Ally. Arran fell silent. “Find Alastarius on Earth. That’s what Siduri told you, wasn’t it? Find Alastarius. Find me, his heir, on Earth. You had no other choice, save to kill yourself. The guilt and the despair drove you across your world, through the Tower, and here to Earth. And now you’ve found me, as close to Alastarius as you will ever get. You need me. Without me, you have no purpose.”
    Arran looked away. “You cannot understand.” A muscle in his jaw trembled. “It…”
    “I understand just fine,” said Ally. “I saw my parents die, remember?”
    Arran glared at her. “As did I. Marugon’s soldiers overran my family’s estate. My mother perished in the fighting. My father was slain in the battle outside Carlisan’s walls.” His voice was as cold and dead as the ice outside. “I saw my brother die, only a few feet away, and I could do nothing to save him. And Carlisan was destroyed. The High Kingdoms were destroyed. You saw your parents die. I saw everything destroyed.”
    “Everything you ever loved,” whispered Ally. Even in her own pain, she still flinched to see the raw agony in Arran’s eyes. 
    “I thought to find Alastarius on Earth, to demand answers from him,” said Arran. “He would tell me about his damned Prophecy. And then I met you, this beautiful young woman who knew so much of my world.” He shook his head. “And I was really looking for you all along. Find Alastarius on Earth. No. Find Ally Wester on Earth. And I did.” He stepped closer, looking down at her. “You are right. You have become all that I have left. Lithon is my King, but you are my purpose.” He put his hard strong hands on her shoulders. “I cannot let any harm come to you. I cannot.” His grim face cracked for a moment, showing such pain that Ally wanted to comfort him. “I will protect you to my last breath.”
    “I…” Ally swallowed. Tears welled up in her eyes. She wanted somebody to protect her. She wanted to fall against him and weep into his shoulder. “I…good night, Arran.”
    She turned and hurried up the stairs, feeling Arran’s eyes on her back. 

Chapter 3 - Hate and Black Magic

    Anno Domini 2012

    Arran knocked the snow from his boots and his cloak. A low wind whistled past him, sinking a chill deep into his clothes and bones. He pushed open the kitchen door and stepped inside, weapons thumping against legs. Some leftover food sat on the counter, and Arran ate a piece of cold bacon as he slid out of his cloak and coat. He heard laughter coming from the living room.
    Allard lay sprawled on the couch, a sandwich in hand, watching the TV. Its glass screen showed something called a “sitcom”. It reminded Arran of the shows of traveling buffoons that had wandered the High Kingdoms in his youth. 
    Allard groaned. “Don’t tell me it’s my turn already.” 
    “It is.” Arran leaned against the wall. “At least it’s stopped snowing.” 
    “Small comfort,” said Allard, climbing to his feet. His coat and gun lay in the corner. “Time to go freeze myself for another eight hours.”
    Arran looked at Allard’s Uzi. “You shouldn't leave that lying around.”
    “Hey, some of us like to relax at the end of the day.” Allard tugged on his coat. “I suppose you’re going to go upstairs and swing that thing,” he waved a hand at Arran’s sword, “around in circles.”
    “More or less,” said Arran. “I prefer to be ready. Lying about and watching televised buffoons is hardly the way to maintain readiness.”
    “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Allard picked up gun and checked the ammunition clip.
    “Where’s Conmager?” said Arran.
    “In the barn, enchanting more bullets,” said Allard. He slung the gun over his shoulder and opened the front door. “We used up most of them in Chicago.” He stepped outside. “Well, enjoy working yourself to a threat.”
    “Try not to freeze to death,” said