The Immortal Mystic (Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Thousands of orcs were swarming around us. If Lepkin had not done what he did, not only would we all have died, but the trebuchets would still stand.”
    Mercer waved the soldier away and stood there, brooding silently.
    “I was able to maintain control,” Lepkin continued. “Upon destroying the trebuchets and routing the enemy, I changed back to my normal form. I felt no effects from the curse.”
    “Remarkable,” Marlin uttered aloud. The Prelate’s white eyes twitched and Marlin inspected Lepkin form head to toe. “There is no evidence of the curse anywhere in your aura. It is as if you are immune to it.”
    Mercer broke his silence and turned to Marlin. “So he can do it again?”
    Marlin frowned and shook his head. “I am not sure of that,” he replied. “True it may be that he escaped the curse this time, one can only run their hand through the flame for so long before getting burned.”
    Mercer nodded. “The eight of you are dismissed,” he said with a quick wave to the other dragon slayers.
    “Yes sir,” they said in unison.
    “Keep your mouths shut about this,” Mercer warned. “If the men believe we have a dragon on our side, it will bolster their spirits. No reason to dampen that hope.”
    The dragon slayers nodded and moved off without another word.
    A sly grin appeared on Mercer’s face. “Better than that, the orcs now believe we have a dragon as well. That may just buy us enough time until our reinforcements arrive.”
    Lepkin saw Dimwater approaching from a staircase behind Mercer. He smiled to her, but she returned only a scowl.
    “There is anger in her aura,” Marlin whispered.
    Lepkin nodded. “I can see that for myself,” he replied.
    “What do you think you were doing?” she snarled. Even Mercer quick-stepped to get out of her way. “You can’t just risk letting Nagar’s Secret take you again, not now! We have come too far, and are too close to accomplishing our goal.”
    “The army was in peril,” Lepkin stammered. “I had no choice.”
    Her index finger jabbed him where the neck meets the chest. “That was foolish!”
    “There is no taint,” Marlin put in quickly.
    Dimwater turned around and folded her arms. Her face grew red and she narrowed her eyes on Marlin. “I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
    Marlin’s eyebrows went up and he looked down to the ground.
    Dimwater turned back to Lepkin. “Just because we married later than most couples, doesn’t mean you can be reckless. I know our responsibilities often put us in danger, but there is no need to help the grave along in taking us.” Dimwater then walked away, leaving the three men standing there, scratching their heads.
    “So the honeymoon period is over, is it?” Mercer snarked.
    Lepkin shrugged. “She doesn’t usually come unhinged like that. Not sure…” Lepkin didn’t finish his thought.
    “I probably shouldn’t say this,” Marlin started. He scratched the back of his neck and looked at Dimwater again. Then he shook his head and started to turn away. “No, nevermind.”
    “What is it, Marlin?” Lepkin asked.
    Marlin shook his head and put up a hand. “No, I might not even be right.”
    “Spit it out,” Lepkin said.
    Marlin looked to Mercer, and then to Lepkin. He sighed and then moved in close to whisper into Lepkin’s ear. “I see something in her aura,” he said, as if that was enough to explain it.
    “What?” Lepkin pressed.
    Marlin exhaled nervously, his hot breath falling on Lepkin’s right ear. “I think she may be carrying a child.”
    Lepkin pushed the man back and looked into his eyes. “What?”
    “I said I think she may be—”
    “I heard you, but that isn’t possible. We have only just barely wed, and we have only been together—”
    “It only takes once,” Marlin said with a shrug.
    Lepkin’s mouth fell open and he stared off after her.
    “Hold on a moment,” Mercer said with an upraised hand. “Are you saying that Dimwater is pregnant?”
    Marlin