Ward Against Darkness (Chronicles of a Reluctant Necromancer) Read Online Free PDF Page A

with a vesperitti and take my place?”
    Celia tensed but didn’t attack.
    Lyla giggled. “I think he just did.”
    “I didn’t—” Ward said.
    “You’re right,” Enota hissed, her meek behavior gone, her back straight, and her clawed hands rigid at her sides. “You didn’t, and you won’t.”
    Ward staggered off the cushions. Goddess above, he was in a madhouse. They thought he had a vesperitti, that— Oh, Goddess, they thought—
    Celia. His spell on Celia. The Jam de’U he’d cast on her should have ended days ago. But then, he had no idea what he’d really done. He’d improvised on everything, the components, using human blood, even the meditation, to get her awake long enough to prove who’d murdered her.
    Rodas and Enota strode out of the room.
    Lyla raised her glass. “Welcome to the House of de Cortia.”

Chapter Three
    Celia perched on the ledge outside the window to Ward’s bedchamber. The breeze chilled the still-damp shirt and pants she’d changed back into and brought with it the heady aroma from the rosebushes two stories below. Inside, Ward sat on the edge of one of the overstuffed chairs, his rucksack by his foot, ready to go. In the light from the single candle on the table before him, he looked pale, almost ashen. He needed rest and food. Except, even if she wanted to consider Allette’s invitation to stay, their situation had become more complicated. Their host was an Innecroestri—the tiny gold hoops in his ear a sure giveaway—and the last time they’d encountered a dark necromancer, that woman tried to kill them…or rather kill Ward, since you couldn’t kill a dead person twice, could you?
    Celia cleared her throat and stepped into the room. Ward leapt to his feet and whirled around to face her, his hands balled into fists.
    “Thank the Goddess.” He blew out a breath. “You can’t possibly be entertaining the idea of staying. We’re not safe here,” he said, his voice so low she had to strain to hear him.
    “We only need to stay long enough to fill our packs. Exactly as planned.” She scanned the room, checking the corners for anyone hidden in the shadows. No one. Good.
    He scowled. “I thought you said plans were meant to be broken.”
    “I needed to say something.” The large window she’d just entered presented an optional means of escape if the door was blocked—although, it also offered a way for trouble to enter. “And why are we whispering?”
    “If you hadn’t noticed, Macerio is an Innecroestri and has six Rings of Habil on one ear alone. His monsters could be listening. We shouldn’t even stay long enough to get food. Who knows what Macerio would do to us if he caught us stealing?”
    “Leaving without supplies is not an option.”
    “Not an option?” His voice cracked, and she bit back a smile. There was the Ward she knew. “The last time we faced an Innecroestri, I took a four-story dive from a balcony, and you almost got turned into a shadow walker. I have no idea how powerful Macerio is, but he’s got at least half a dozen vesperitti and who knows what else under his control.”
    “Just think about this for a moment.”
    “Think about what? There are no options when vesperitti are involved.”
    “Ward—”
    “The name from the old Susain language translates to ‘soul devourer.’ They survive on the soul magic within a person’s blood. Even if their hunger isn’t insatiable like the myths claim, I doubt they’d think twice before deciding we’re their next meal.” He grabbed his rucksack and slung it over his shoulder. “Every moment we stay is a moment we’re in danger.”
    “We can at least grab a few things on our way out.” Although, if even a fraction of the myths were true, they needed to leave now.
    “Grab a few things? I’ve already introduced myself to the girl Allette with my real name. She knows I’m not this Quirin person. What makes you think she isn’t telling Macerio who I am right this very