Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) by Jonathan Michael (best ebook for manga txt) 📕

wrap my arm around her. My motivation is hopeless, but I don’t want Jaymes to suffer this alone.

Another positive thought, these men are Hiberneyts, so I know we aren’t dying.

In preparation of what is to come, all knowledge of our roots has been barricaded behind the limitations of four human minds. It has taken generations, but not another soul shall have the ability to extract our knowledge. It is time to abolish the chaos that has worked so laboriously for the grand design.

46 Jaymes

A waning Cerise is lit high in the black sky. Her pale-crimson ambience swathes Harris’ entire manor, giving the already dark envelope a blood-red tint. If I believed in omens, I would take warning. But I don’t.

I cautiously peer inside his chamber through the glass door on the sundeck. His office is dark, all except for one fading thunder lantern and the intruding crimson ambience of that bitch in the sky. There’s a dark figure seated at the desk just as expected.

This may be my death I’m walking into. Though, tonight is as good as any for death. Will he know I’m coming? He knows I frequent his balcony. Does he know I’m here now? I shuffle those thoughts away. Knife in the heart, then straight to the head for the kill. I must be fast. I must be swift. And above all else, I must not hesitate. It’s time. He has meddled with my life for too long.

I put my hand on the lever, and just as I proceed to push down, I see her. Not again. She floats across Harris’ chamber in my direction. Her presence haunts me far too often to be fearful of her approach. She passes through the glass with a flat palm raised, then a single outstretched finger presses into her lips. She fades away as if a strong gust disperses her.

Heeding her warning, I push my back low against the wall and wait. And peek through the glass. Harris’s dark figure remains at the desk, but another stands across from it now. The light is too dim to make out who it is, but judging by the posture and bulk of the figure, I would say it’s a man. If it were Ellia, I may have proceeded as planned, but I cannot enter the room and assassinate our ruler with an unknown man in the room. I could always take his life as well, but it is rather improper to kill someone you don’t know, who’s not a threat. My mother wouldn’t approve. I look over my shoulder to see if she lingers. She’s gone.

I slump low, moving swiftly across the glass door, hoping neither of the men see me, and I duck under the window next to it. With his window always ajar, it has made for a stellar location to eavesdrop. For this reason alone, I’m surprised the Taoiseach doesn’t have a guard on post regularly.

“What is your intention?” a familiar voice asks.

It’s the Taoiseach with his deep and always controlled tone asking the question, and he sounds rather peeved. A business affair? I sit still and listen intently.

“To rule the realm, of course. And unleash your secrets to everyone. They deserve to know.” The voice is not one I recognize.

“Why not choose a life with a family and companions like the rest?” the Taoiseach asks.

“Think back to what your primal instinct is, Harris.”

This man has little respect for the Taoiseach, referring to him by his given name.

“And what is that?” the Taoiseach inquires.

“To find a mate and generate offspring, of course.”

“Is that how you refer to a loving wife and children—a mate and offspring? It’s no surprise you murdered my children. You’ve given up.”

The Taoiseach had a family?

“I haven’t given up!” he shouts. “It was taken from me. That damn whore of yours took it many seasons ago. Sure, I’ve made some repairs, but I’ll never have the luxury of family.”

“I have no sympathy for you,” the Taoiseach interjects.

“Your sons were arrogant. They always put themselves above the rest. They had it coming.”

“As they should. I would expect any man with purpose, passion, and even a pinch of dignity to put himself above filth like you. You’re a murderer of the innocent, among everything else lacking in a man with value. You disgust me,” the Taoiseach responds with his unwavering control of emotions. He has a way of not revealing any of his weaknesses. “Moving on. How do you intend on sharing my so-called ‘secrets’ with the realm?” he asks.

“The only way I can. By killing you and opening the door.”

There is a pause, and then I hear the thud of a glass being placed on the desk and a jingle of cubes within it. A glass of scotch, I presume. This man is discussing the murder of his family, yet Harris sounds so calm about it. Why not end his life like he’s done with so many others?

“You’re a fool. There isn’t a soul that knows how to gain access to my athenaeum, let alone the knowledge of how to kill me. You have your hands full, Carib.”

Susy’s shits! Harris just admitted he can die. He is just a man. I stepped onto this balcony figuring I was taking my last breaths. But he’s just a man. Knife in the heart, then straight to the head. But not yet. Not until this Carib character leaves. I wonder who he is that the Taoiseach entertains his threats? Ellia might be familiar with his name. And what athenaeum is he referring to? A place where he holds all his secrets?

“That may be so, but all the innocent blood that will inevitably be spilt will be on your hands, Harris. You are the cause of this, and you can end it easily by opening the door and