The Hunt for the Three Roses

by Jason Hubbard

  Epilogue

  Solomon ambled down the winding hallway, his hands in front of him with the fingertips held together. His robe was mostly white with black stripes along the hem and a few crossing the bottom. His mind was clear of earthly desires, for he exercised patience more than anything else. He was a man of action, but he knew that plans took time and couldn’t be rushed. Only when the time was right should he call for urgency, not a moment before.

  It was how he got to be a senior mage of the Order of Ahlström, one of the most prestigious magic organizations on Earth. Long ago it had been a cornerstone of history, and under his strict guidance, it might prove to be one for the future as well.

  He stopped to look over the railing. The hallway spiraled down to the base of the structure a good eighty meters below, leading to a spellroom where a séance was commencing. The hall was lined with torches that magically lit themselves at scheduled times, but the rich orange glow that bathed the structure came from something deeper, more substantial. It strained for release but was held at bay by daily magic rituals. He could feel its anger pulsing just beneath the surface of reality, so he needed something to somehow contain it. It would do him no good if he let it out only to be consumed by it.

  He continued his pace, freeing his thoughts of concerns. The time wasn’t right, the conditions weren’t set. All he could do for now was wait.

  That is, until his righthand man, Ben Ossani, came running up to him, sweat dropping from his bouncing chins. “My liege, a raven came from the palace. Omega is detained.”

  Solomon grinned, the wrinkles on his tanned forehead becoming more pronounced. “Good, tell everyone we’re leaving. I want no delay!”

  He headed in the opposite direction with long strides, a pleasant smile making him appear ten years younger. But Ben stopped him with a few words. “I’m sorry, but there’s more. Omega’s been … incapacitated.”

  Solomon abruptly turned to him, his eyes troubled. “How?” he asked. Upon learning, he ran a hand down his face. How much longer must the good Lord keep him waiting?

  Author’s note

  Thank you for reading The Hunt for the Three Roses. You’ve helped out this indie author already, but you can continue to do so by leaving a review on the web store where you bought it, and please leave one on Goodreads.com for good measure. I hope you continue to support indie authors like me, for we happy few write for your enjoyment.

  Sean and Callie’s adventures will continue in The Binding of the Three Roses. They will meet the third Rose in a place they’d rather not be, and once they learn of a chilling plan concerning the Roses, they’ll stop at nothing to overthrow it … if it’s not too late.