The Elder Blood Chronicles Book 3 From the Ashes by Melissa Myers

my
blood and I shouldn’t have left her as I did. When Magdalyn died, I
should have collected Jala myself rather than allow her to be left
at the temple. I don’t think she was foolish in the least for
entering the Darklands. I think she was bold as our line should be.
I won’t see her die because of it.” Vaze stopped walking and looked
to Shade. The smile was no longer on his face as he spoke. “Will
you assist me with Lutheron’s attention until I’m out of the
city?”
    “If you will answer one question for me,”
Shade said quietly as he looked around for anyone that might be
listening.
    “And what would that be?” Vaze asked. He
raised an eyebrow at Shade and then made a quick gesture with one
hand. The shadows of the street seemed to lengthen around them and
the area grew silent of all other noise. “Speak freely, no one will
overhear. The Shadows guard our words now.”
    “What is the council doing about the traitor?
Surely you will admit there is one after the night of the assault.
The Justicars were bloody well waiting for us,” Shade said, his
eyes locked on Vaze’s face. He’d always been good at reading
people, just not so good at acting according to what he read. Vaze
however was difficult to read anything from. The man had a guarded
way about him, not giving any hints to his thoughts.
    “I will tell you this. There were only four
people that knew the staging points for the assault. Lutheron, who
planned the attack, and the three group leaders he chose. Myself,
Caspian, and Faramir. The common belief around the council is that
the plans were overheard. I, however, have turned down two lunch
invitations from Faramir since that night,” Vaze said and then
smiled faintly. “Take what you will from my words and use it
discreetly.”
    “I see. Thank you for the honesty. I will
distract Lutheron for you,” Shade said with a nod. The answer was
cryptic of course but he had expected as much. Still it was more
than Charm had given him in answer so far.
    Vaze’s smile widened. “Of course, if I’m the
traitor that was fabulous misdirection,” he whispered and flicked
his hand. The shadows died away and the noise of the day returned.
Giving Shade a wink, he turned on his heels and headed back toward
the Justicar’s hall.
    “Bloody intrigue. It’s like bread and water
to us,” Shade sighed and picked up his crowbar from the ground.
Vaze’s words still rang in his mind regarding the traitor. Only
four people had known and those four should have been the most
trustworthy members of the Fionaveir. Caspian had founded the
organization. It was extremely doubtful that he would be the
traitor to his own cause. Then Faramir of course was Caspian’s wife
and had been a founding member as well. That left Lutheron and
Vaze, and Lutheron seemed a fanatic when it came to Symphony. Vaze
was the only one that didn’t have rock solid reasoning for loyalty,
which made his parting words even more ominous. He had, of course,
never actually said the traitor was Faramir. So what if Faramir
suspected him, and he knew. That would be reason enough to refuse
lunch with her. “Bloody intrigue,” Shade repeated with a growl of
frustration and turned his mind to the ship. At least his ship was
something he understood clearly, unlike Immortals.

Chapter 4
     
    The Darklands
     
     
    “Are you sure that’s Fiona Veirasha?” Jala
hissed as the pale knight stopped several feet from them.
    “Positive. She was a childhood hero of mine.
I have several books regarding her and they all have pictures
looking like that,” Valor replied in a hushed voice, motioning
toward the woman. “With the exception of the blood of course,” he
amended just as softly.
    “I’m afraid they don’t let you choose your
attire in the afterlife. I count myself quite fortunate that my
head is on my shoulders, considering.” Fiona broke in. Her voice
was a loud whisper with a faint hissing to the words. She looked
them over critically from