by Ren Ryder
A lilting, melodious voice stopped me cold. “Eyes down! Savior or not, I cannot allow you to gaze upon me, or your life is forfeit.”
Who could it be but the emperor? I almost forgot, but the Duke’s whole objective had been to kill this person and take over New London. I kept my eyes nailed to the floor despite a sudden urge to disobey.
Sheathing my sword, I got down on one knee and bowed my head. “Emperor. The pleasure is all yours. Pretty sure my life is already hanging by a thread thanks to your zero tolerance policy for unlicensed mages.”
“You speak of the Arcanium’s practices, not mine. Though it may surprise you to hear, I have little control over the matters of mages. The Arcanium has become a lost state unto itself despite its long affiliation with New London,” the emperor said, their words sharp.
It was stupid of me to believe, however briefly, that I could wash away my karma with blood and death.
“Might I ask your name, so I know what to call my savior? I imagine Specter is an alias.”
I thought about it. When Captain Reid and Neil got around to briefing the emperor, my background would be revealed anyways.
I sighed. “It’s Kal.”
“Kal, I give you my word— I will do everything in my power to stop your execution by the Arcanium.”
Execution?
I thought I was going to have a fair trial, but maybe that was all for show. Still, I was determined to see it through, especially with the news of Otherworld assassins coming to claim the mantle of king from me. I had a chance to avoid the chopping block with the enforcers and emperor vouching for me. I would turn myself in to the Arcanium, survive their judgment, and get strong enough to protect those I cared about.
Ready or not Arcanium, here I come.
Rune Scroll Key
Turn the page and feast your eyes on the Elder Futhark Rune scroll key, whipped up by Tom Edwards, my wonderful illustrator.
Endnote
I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again. Reviews are the lifeblood of indie authors like myself, and whether you enjoyed this book or not, I would greatly appreciate it if you would take some time out and leave a review over at Amazon.
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I hope you enjoyed The Monster at the End of Its Road, the third installment in the Gaslamp Faeries Series.
Thank you, all of you, for sticking with me.
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Warmly,
Ren
Kal’s story is far from over. Turn the page to catch a sneak peek at the cover for the fourth book in the Gaslamp Faeries Series, The Scariest Monsters Are Our Own.