The Hungering Flame Read Online Free PDF Page A

disappeared the moment she sighted Max , and her long hair streamed like a fiery banner behind her as she ran to him.
    Max caught her in his arms, and she kissed him. “ I was worried, ” she gasped, catching her breath at last.
    “ No need, dear, ” Max laughed, “ I just went out for my morning hunt. As it turns out, the woods were rather crowded today. ”
    Serepheni’s green eyes went wide, and she clapped her free hand to her lips at the sight of Garrett and the others. “ The supplies! ” she said, “ They’ve made it through! ”
    Max winced. “ Not... exactly, dear. ”
    The priestess looked back at him. “ What’s wrong, Max? ”
    Max opened his mouth, but seemed not quite ready to explain the sisterhood’s treachery to her. He looked almost relieved to be interrupted by a gruff shout from behind.
    “ Max! What did you do with my flask? ”
    Garrett turned to see the tattooed face of Cenick, the Neshite necromancer. Cenick’s angry expression turned to joy at the sight of the new arrivals.
    “ Garrett! Warren! ” he cried, sprinting toward them, his tattered purple robes fluttering. “ What are you two doing here? Lady Veranu, ” he added with a nod to Marla.
    Garrett opened his mouth to speak, but Max hastened to speak instead.
    “ I’m afraid it’s bad news, ” Max said, “ The sisterhood has given us up for lost. ”
    “ What? ” Cenick demanded. Serepheni’s shocked expression said as much.
    “ We’ve all been declared dead, ” Max said, “ and our assets seized by the church. ”
    “ Our assets? ” Cenick said , “ They can’t do... They didn’t even send anyone out to look for us? ”
    “ That’s not possible! ” Serepheni cried, “ There must be some misunderstanding! ” She looked at Garrett with pleading eyes. He almost wanted to lie to her just to stop her from looking at him like that.
    “ Show them your butt, Gar, ” Warren said.
    “ What? ” Garrett asked.
    “ Show them where that Templar kicked you in the butt! ”
    “ He did not kick me in the butt! ” Garrett said, his cheeks going red, “ It was my hip. ”
    “ They hurt you? ” Cenick demanded. His tattooed face twisted in rage, and Garrett flinched at the sight.
    “ Warren saved me, ” Garrett said, his voice shaking a little, “ I’m all right now. ”
    Cenick’s eyes flashed upon Serepheni now, and the girl drew closer to Max.
    “ There has to be an... ” she began.
    “ Enough of this! ” Cenick spat, “ Max, this changes things! ”
    Max shook his head. “ This changes nothing, ” he sighed, “ It just makes things a little more... challenging. ”
    “ I’m not fighting for the worm-cult anymore! ” Cenick shouted, “ They’ve broken the truce! ”
    Serepheni’s eyes blazed. “ How dare you! ” she cried, “ You will not... ”
    “ Enough! ” Max shouted. Everyone stared at him in stunned silence. Garrett had never heard him use that tone before. “ Cenick, ” he said, his voice dangerously calm, “ take our guests to the roundhouse and tend to their needs. ”
    Serepheni looked at him, her lips barely parted. He stared back, resolutely.
    Her eyes went cold, and she spun on her heel and walked away.
    Cenick led Garrett and the others away in stony silence.
    Garrett looked back to see Max watching them go, his face haggard and lost in thought.
    When they reached the roundhouse, Cenick offered to take Cabre’s horse.
    “ Thank you goodman, ” the prince said, “ but I will see to his needs personally, if you will but show me the way to your stables. ”
    “ I’ll take the wolves as well, ” Marla said, covering a yawn with the back of her hand. Garrett could not resist yawning widely in response.
    Cenick nodded. “ I’ll show you where, ” he said, then looked to Garrett and Warren. “ You two head inside and find a bed. Warren, your father should be waking soon. He’ll want to see you, I’m sure. ”
    Warren looked a bit sick, but said nothing.
    Garrett