The Secret of Spellshadow Manor 6 by Bella Forrest (books for men to read .TXT) 📕

release all the students from the havens and allow them to return to their families, be they in the outside world or another magical place. If they wish to study, then make those havens real schools, with no death waiting for them at the end of their school days,” he suggested, coming to the end of his proposal. “That is all I ask in return for ridding the world of the Great Evil, and giving back your wife. Though, I should point out, you will receive the accolade of such a task. You will be named the one who destroyed it, and rid the magical realms of it forever, allowing everyone to live in safety and security, once and for all.”

Julius said nothing for a long time, tapping his slender fingers against the bejeweled armrest. His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Alex. The silence was deafening, and Alex knew he’d prefer anything to the awful tension he felt gathering in his chest. At any moment, he knew Julius could end his life, and he couldn’t stop thinking it was about to happen. There was something about the king that instilled that kind of fear in a person; there was an unpredictable, antsy, psychotic quality that emanated from him in terrifying waves.

“I admire your gumption, Alex Webber.” He almost hissed the name. “I suppose there is bravery in you coming here and asking these things of me,” he said, flicking small, fast-moving darts of golden magic in Alex’s direction, smirking as they sailed past Alex’s shoulder. It was like a game, to see how close he could get the dart to Alex, without actually hitting him. “I wish you hadn’t stolen my property first, but I can see bravery in that too, now you have explained it to me. Perhaps a deal of this kind might not be so bad. I can certainly see how it could work in my favor,” he mused, a dart zinging beneath Alex’s ear.

Alex tried not to flinch, but he had to duck out of the way of another dart as it narrowly missed his eye. “It would be entirely in your favor, Your Royal Highness. Your people will be free, and they will adore you for getting rid of the evil that has loomed over them for so long. The cost to you is low, in comparison. A few hundred people, in return for your realm fully restored to you.”

Julius nodded thoughtfully, chuckling to himself as a dart skimmed the skin of Alex’s neck. A tiny, almost imperceptible snowflake drifted down onto Alex’s shoulder.

“Why should I trust a Spellbreaker?” Julius sneered, throwing another dart that made impact with Alex’s chest. It hit him like a freight train, surprising him, given the dart was so small. He gasped for air as it was knocked from his lungs. Julius laughed.

Clawing back his breath, Alex rallied. “You can trust me… because I want… what you want. I want the realms free, and I want my friends free. Unity is power, as Sun Tzu says… and the only way to achieve freedom is by uniting with you.”

Julius ceased throwing darts. “Very well. I have listened to your terms, and I am willing to bargain with you, but I have points of my own,” he said, a touch of menace in his voice. “As I said, if my wife is returned tainted, our deal is instantly off. I presume you are getting Virgil to do the dirty work?”

“Virgil has volunteered, yes, Your Royal Highness.”

Julius cackled. “You got Virgil to volunteer? Perhaps your powers of persuasion are better than I thought!” He guffawed, flinging another dart for good measure. “Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, upon the point of freeing the students. I shall agree to it. However, if you fail in the spell and it results in the destruction of another haven, your life will be forfeit. I will do anything in my power to ensure the Great Evil is destroyed, but it will be you doing the spell next, if you fail this time.”

“If that happens, will the students still walk free?” Alex asked anxiously.

Julius glanced at him thoughtfully. “Yes, why not. You’ve caught me at a generous moment.” He flashed a cold grin. “So, I take it you agree? My wife and your destruction of the Great Evil, one way or another, in return for a vial of blood and the freedom of the havens’ students?”

Alex knew he didn’t have much choice. “I agree to your terms.”

Julius sprinted toward Alex, making Alex certain he was about to get an orb of energy in the face, but the king skidded to a halt just shy of him, sticking out his hand for Alex to shake. Though his palms were sweaty and his fingers were trembling, he took the king’s proffered hand, and endured the roughest handshake he’d ever experienced.

“Hadrian!” Julius bellowed, returning to his throne.

The nervous man appeared at the door. “Your Highness?”

“Fetch the leeches and vial,” he instructed, and Hadrian disappeared again with a low bow. It was clear Julius had prepared for this visit, having no doubt already known what it was Alex was coming for. Alex realized he must have known the potency of his blood, even before Alex began to make a deal.

Hadrian re-entered a minute later, pushing a cart with a box and several glass bottles on top. They rattled loudly as he moved, jangling Alex’s nerves. The nervous royal didn’t dare look at Alex as he pushed the cart toward the king. Once he reached Julius, he took up the box and lifted the lid, pulling out a single, slimy-looking leech that Alex knew would soon grow fat with the blood of the king.

“Anywhere, Your Royal Highness?” Hadrian asked, his hands shaking.

Julius nodded. “Neck is probably best,” he said. Hadrian obliged, placing the vile creature on the king’s pale neck, where it latched on and began to suck.

It became quite awkward for everyone involved, standing there, watching the blood being sucked from Julius’s