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Magic Rises

Magic Rises

Titel: Magic Rises Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Ilona Andrews
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love to be your wife.”
    I reached over. He took my hand and squeezed it.
    Magic cracked. The stone floor under me dropped. A smooth stone slid open under me. We rolled down it, all the way to the road, coming to a gentle stop. I blinked and saw Astamur standing next to a cart drawn by a donkey. The donkey and the shepherd regarded us.
    “Well?” Astamur asked. “Are you two going to lie there all night?”
    It wasn’t English, but I understood him all the same. I stared at him, openmouthed.
    “I would’ve rescued you sooner, but you were having an important relationship conversation.”
    “What the hell . . . ?” Curran struggled to get up.
    Now wasn’t the time to look the gift donkey in the mouth. I propped him up and half dragged, half carried him into the cart. He fell onto the boards. I fell next to him. The donkey moved, and the cart took us away from the castle.
    Fire shot out above the stone. Slowly, as if hesitating, the castle walls came apart and crashed down off the cliff, breaking into thousands of blocks as they fell.
    “Who are you?” I asked.
    “I told you, I’m the shepherd. I watch over these mountains.”
    “Are you immortal?”
    “No. Nobody is truly immortal. But I was born a very long time ago, when the magic was still strong. Then the magic waned and for a while I had to sleep. Now my power is back, and I am one with the mountains again.”
    “Why did you save us?” I asked.
    “Your father is cooked,” Astamur said. “I’ve known him for a long time. We met when the sea and the mountains were younger. No matter what time and the world do to him, he won’t change. He is what he is. You’re not so bad. You try too hard and you lust for blood, but your heart is good.”
    I didn’t know what to say.
    “One day you will have to decide where you stand,” he said. “I have hope for you, so I tell you the same thing I told your father. If you come to these mountains with open hands, I will welcome you, but if you come holding a sword, you will die by it.”
    “What did her father decide?” Curran asked.
    “He chose not to come at all, which is an answer in itself. There are ancients in the world, like him and me. They are waking up. Your father, he will want to use you. Soon you might have to make a stand.”
    “Do you think I can win?” I asked.
    “Against your father? No, not now.” Astamur said. “Perhaps in time. A smart warrior chooses the time of battle.”
    “I will remember that.”
    The donkey clopped, his hoofbeats really loud. Salty wind bathed my face. I realized we were on the pier.
    “The ship has pulled away but there is a boat coming back. They are planning on rescuing you from the castle,” Astamur said. “It’s nice to have friends.”
    I raised my head and saw Andrea and Raphael in the boat.
    Ten minutes later we were hauled onto the deck of the Rush . Andrea sat me down gently by the cabin. I leaned against the wall. Curran lay down next to me. His legs didn’t look right. They would have to be rebroken. My bones hurt just thinking about it.
    Derek rested on his stomach, his back covered with burns. Keira was bloody. Eduardo’s whole body was covered with soot and burns. Mahon cradled George, tears in his eyes. Her arm was missing. Shit.
    “It will be fine, Dad,” she told him.
    “What will I tell your mother . . .”
    “You will tell her that I saved a woman during childbirth.” George glanced to the length of sailing canvas where Desandra curled with two naked babies.
    Barabas asked me quietly, “What about Desandra?”
    “What about her? Unless she wants us to drop her off somewhere, we’re taking her with us. Where else is she going to go?”
    Everyone was bloody, beat up, and grieving.
    “Finally,” Saiman said. “We can be under way.”
    Christopher came to stand by me and smiled.
    The Rush turned, picked up speed, and slid out of the harbor. The mountains receded.
    I looked at the gathering of metal drums that sat near the nose of the ship, secured by ropes. At least we had done it. At least we got the panacea. Maddie wouldn’t have to die. Aunt B would never see her grandchildren, but at least, if Raphael and Andrea had any babies, they wouldn’t—
    “Look!” Raphael called, pointing north.
    A fleet of ships anchored behind the curve of the harbor. Six large vessels, the biggest longer than the Rush . They flew the Iron Dog banner.
    “Hold your breath,” Saiman murmured next to me.
    The Rush glided across

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