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

Tears well up in my eyes as the reality of the situation slams into me. Stone’s parents died just days ago; I am leagues away from home, if I still have a home; Helios is more than likely dead, and next, it will be Stone, Jaymes, and I heading to our graves to become part of Azure. I’m not ready. I’m not ready for this.

The tears come streaming out, and I let them flow, choking on each breath. I can no longer restrain the hurt, the anger, and the sadness that have been building up over the past few days.

Stone is stronger. At least, that’s all he allows me to witness. He returns to the lounge chair to console me.

“It wasn’t Harris,” I mention to him. His brow scrunches inward. I don’t have the energy to convince him and leave it at that. I sit in my sorrow for at least an hour before someone comes to take us to our cells.

It’s a man of average build and height, just one, even though there are two prisoners. The Taoiseach, or whoever that man was, must not find us the least bit threatening. He wears a Crimson Guard uniform, but I don’t think he’s an average soldier. He looks like a man of authority.

“Alright, get up. Let’s go.” He waves his hand toward the exit where he stands.

With my legs still unusable, I lift one with my hands and let it flop back down to prove my handicap. He rolls his eyes and stomps toward me. Average size may have been an understatement. He towers over me. I take a hard swallow. He heaves me into the air and drapes me over his shoulder. Then ushers Stone ahead to lead the way.

We head down a dark, winding stairwell, the steps and walls both comprised of grey stone and the only light coming from thunder lanterns every ten steps or so.

A loud thud echoes through the dimly lit stairwell. “What is that?” Stone shouts.

Our escort’s head whips back as he shoves Stone up against the wall with a massive arm. Stone stumbles on the curling staircase and tumbles down a few steps. The entire staircase spins as our escort moves into a defensive stance looking back up the flight of stairs—me still clenched over his shoulder.

I hear quick, faint movements, but can’t see beyond the curvature of the stairwell. And even though I’m already headed toward the four hells, I find myself on edge. Partially because our escort is holding me over his shoulder like a limp battering ram. Hopefully the same thought doesn’t occur to him. I’d rather not be used as a blunt instrument of destruction.

A dark, bulky figure races around the bend. My stomach flies to the ceiling as I fall to the ground, not without agonizing pain. My escort slams against the wall—serves him right—hits the stairs, and tumbles down several steps beyond where Stone lies. Helios tickles me with his whiskers and plants his scratchy tongue on my cheek. My lips curl into a smile despite the pain.

“Jay! You’re okay! Helios, you too!” Stone climbs from the steps and pats Helios on the head with a quick scratch behind the ear. Jaymes is mounted on his back, along with a young man. “Elder, what about you? Are you okay?”

“No. Not really.” I lie limp on the uncomfortable stone steps, unable to do much without the use of my legs. I’m not accustomed to this paraplegic thing yet and am not sure if I ever will be. Stone assists me into a seated position.

“Good. Who’s this?” Stone says with an untrusting glare aimed at the newcomer, not hearing what I said. “Wait. You were in Harris’s chamber. You were with the general. What are you doing here?” Stone’s fists clench and tremble with anticipation.

The young man has a sparkling white smile, with dark, straight hair fitted into a crisp hard part. And green eyes the color of a watermelon rind. He’s mounted behind Stone’s sister. I think I’d be threatened too if it were my sister.

He’s dressed in a dark-green silk vest with white trim and tan leather slacks. He’s well-groomed and obviously comes from a family of high stature, which leads me to believe he has ulterior motives for helping us. Why would a man with a presumed bright future be willing to aid three soon-to-be fugitives?

“Goose. Goose Greyson, your gallant and courageous savior,” he boasts. Much more confident than when we saw him in Harris’s chamber. “More time for my introduction later. We need to flee. Here’s my brilliant plan—”

“I don’t care about your brilliant plan,” Stone interrupts. “Like you said, we need to flee. Let’s just get out of here.”

I have the impression Goose’s pride isn’t bruised in the slightest.

Our savior hops off Helios and assists Stone with getting me mounted in front of Jaymes so she can keep me stable. I wonder if these will be my legs for eternity.

We climb several hundred steps—more steps than what it took to get down. And the bottom of the staircase was never in sight, which leads me to believe those cells must have been four or five stories belowground. We truly were on our way to the depths of the four hells. A place where you put people to forget about them.

At the top landing, the door we originally entered is knocked off its hinges and lying flat on the ground. That must’ve been the thud we heard.

“Lead the way, savior,” Stone mocks.

We have no reason to trust this guy. He hasn’t saved us yet, so Stone’s sarcastic remarks, although harsh, aren’t unwarranted. His overconfidence weeps out of him like tears from a crying baby. A lousy first impression. But he’s our only option. So, being unable to dismount Helios and