The Heart of Alchemy by James Wisher (e book reading free TXT) 📕

haven’t the slightest idea. The time and power required boggles my mind. If you ever think you’ve reached a point where you have nothing more to learn, remember what you just saw. If that doesn’t keep you humble, nothing will.”

“What now, my lord?” Hans asked.

“Now I’m going to rest and enjoy some fine food. Jet should be here in three days. If she isn’t here in four, we’re leaving.”

“You’re bringing that woman with us?” Corina asked, her distaste plain.

“We’ll be dropping her off in the Land of the Demon Binders. I’d like to speak with Lady White again as well. Don’t worry, it won’t take more than a day.”

“Would you like me to send a messenger to let Axel know you’ve returned?” Hans asked.

“Please do.” Otto stretched and yawned. How long had it been since he slept in a comfortable bed? He couldn’t remember, but he was looking forward to doing so again.

Otto poured his focus into the Heart of Alchemy. His vision flew down one passage of the crystal matrix after another. The ether, tinted red by the Heart, seemed more alive and potent than ever. It was intoxicating and at the same time disappointing. Enthralling as the magic was, it didn’t actually teach him anything. Much like channeling his threads through mithril, the Heart served to augment his current abilities rather than granting him new insight.

Several hard raps on his bedroom door drew him from the depths of the crystal. He had no idea how long he had been exploring the artifact. Not that it mattered as he had nothing else to occupy his time while he waited for Jet.

He stood, his back and knees protesting that he’d been sitting there for far too long. Beyond the door he found Hans waiting. “Messenger, my lord.”

Otto went to the outer door and found one of the scantily clad serving girls waiting in the hall. She bowed. “You have a visitor. She asked me to let you know of her arrival.”

That had to be Jet at last. He tossed the girl a silver coin. “Thank you.”

She bowed again and hurried away.

“Hans, pack our stuff. We’ll be leaving shortly. Meet me downstairs when you’re done.”

Otto left his subordinates to prepare for their departure and went downstairs to the common room. Given the sun pouring in through the windows he made the time around midday. He hadn’t been working for quite as long as he thought.

Jet was sitting alone at a corner table. Otto joined her and waved off an approaching servant. He had no desire for a final drink.

“You had no difficulties at the border?” he asked.

“None. As you guessed, word hadn’t reached them yet. Your fake medallion did the trick.”

“Nothing like an undead attack to slow the flow of information. Is it still your wish to visit the Land of the Demon Binders?”

Jet sighed. “I have no other choice. Returning to the empire is a death sentence. I had to leave most of my wealth behind so staying here isn’t going to work.”

“As you wish. I hope to speak with Lady White myself, so it’s not out of our way to deliver you.”

“You have my thanks.” She offered a seated bow.

Hans and the others joined them shortly and after settling up with the owner, they left for the docks. The ship looked to be in perfect condition and they set sail not long after boarding.

Despite his success, Otto wouldn’t miss the Celestial Empire. All he wanted now was to return home, complete the Chamber, and find out about the final piece of the Immortality Engine.

Chapter 42

A group had gathered near the helm of the ship. Otto got the impression Captain Wainwright didn’t appreciate the company, but he also had sufficient wisdom to keep his opinions to himself. They’d been sailing for a week and were supposed to be getting close to the Land of the Demon Binders. Really close in fact. Yet the sense of foreboding was gone as was the creepy fog. No monstrous humanoid creature came out to greet them as they eased closer.

Otto turned to the captain. “Are you certain we’re in the right place?”

“Unless the stars have changed position while we were in Port Han. According to the measurements I took this morning, our destination is only ten miles due north.”

Otto had no reason to doubt the man’s competence at this late date. He’d gotten them safely to their destination halfway around the world. If that didn’t give you a boost of confidence in someone’s abilities, nothing would.

“What do we do?” Axel asked.

That was an excellent question. Unfortunately, Otto hadn’t the slightest idea.

“What do you think?” he asked Jet.

The woman shook her head. The situation seemed to have left her as surprised as the rest of them. “Something must have happened. If The Voice isn’t here and no one is maintaining the barrier, I can only imagine the worst.”

In a nation of demon worshipers, the worst might be pretty bad. It might also offer an opportunity.

“Take us in,” Otto said.

“Is that wise, Master?” Corina asked.

“Time will tell.”

Captain Wainwright turned the wheel, adjusting their course and bringing them in line with the port. Or so they hoped. Having sailed through that soup of a fog left them with only a guess as to where the precise location of the city was. At least this time they could see it coming.

An hour later Corina grasped his sleeve and said, “Wow.”

Otto couldn’t argue with her assessment. The port city lay directly ahead of them, its glory undiminished by obscuring fog. Black spires jutted up into the sky. Shorter buildings surrounded them like mushrooms at the base of a tree.

No wall protected the city from the surrounding wilderness. No doubt the unearthly aura kept any ordinary animals from wandering in. Anything else would quickly end up dead and transformed into a demonic host.

An explosion shook the air and a mushroom cloud of blue flames shot up into the sky.

“Those are the unholy flames of Abaddon,” Jet