On a Razor's Edge (Darkness #3)

On a Razor's Edge (Darkness #3)
K.F. Breene



Chapter 1

Andris stalked into the white mage’s chamber in a cloud of irritation, ignoring the newest statue, gleaming and gaudy, decorating the far corner of the enormous room. Why anyone needed this much space, he couldn’t say, but the room screamed conceit. A large self-portrait hung above a sweeping fireplace, drawing the eye. Mirrors dotted the walls, positioned for the best effect to catch and throw back a glimpse of their master. Bronze sculptures or statues, intent on duplicating the white mage’s attributes in some way, littered the tabletops and desk. Unlike Andris’s living quarters, which boasted its owner’s refined grace and subtle workings, Trek liked flashy and extravagant.

“White Mage,” Andris said with a slight bow. Trek demanded formalities: bowing, titles, and often whimpering from those who reported to him.

Those that reported to him…

That concept was beginning to rankle. Trek was blind to his surroundings, unorganized, and completely unable to lead. Andris had not only found him, trained him, and shown him the underbelly of magic working, but he’d put the sniveling fool into his position. At first Andris had gone along with Trek’s illusions of grandeur in order to manipulate him more easily. Now, however, he saw his error. The younger man was starting to don his position like a lead suit in the ocean—he bullied others and created dissension within the ranks. Basically, instead of working together to create a team of power, as a mage and leader should, he was dismembering their advantages.

Andris took a deep breath. He couldn’t set that issue straight at the moment. He had more important loose ends to knot together.

“Ah, Andris, yes.” Trek walked at a measured pace to a large, throne-like chair. His pretentious white cape billowed behind him as he sat. “Have you been able to solve the mystery of how those skulking rejects were able to find our secret fortress? My enchantment, not to mention the underground facility, should have prevented that.”

“I believe Stefan is linked in some way to the girl. He is often able to pinpoint her whereabouts when no one else can.”

“I see. I thought it was something like that. Fine. Any ideas as to how she was able to suck all my power out? I could have burned Stefan from the face of the earth had that strike landed.”

“My source in his establishment did not know. They say her magic does not operate like ours, but they don’t know any more than that. Their Regional and his linked mage are expected within the week to assess.”

“Yes, your source. The same source that gave the task to capture the girl to an incompetent boy.”

Andris curled his hand into a fist. “He did actually deliver the girl. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the information we needed when she was in our possession.”

“True. The black power level has always been a myth. Hmm. How do you plan to amend your failures, then?” Trek's magic crackled with the implied threat.

Andris barely suppressed his chuckle. Maintaining an even voice, he said, “My source wasn’t able to get close to the girl without being detected, but with the Regional coming, there is room to amend that. The girl is untrained. We need to make the grab soon, before she learns to work with her power.”

Trek nodded slowly, his fingers intertwining on his lap. “I’m sure I don’t have to impress upon you how important it is that we get that girl. With her, no one can stand in our way. Not even that group of wrinkly Council members with their circle of white mages. No one! Even if she fails to work with us, which I doubt since you have your ways, I can grow stronger with her blood. I can create Dulcha with exceedingly more power. Maybe even demons. She is the key.”

The lack of speed at which the idiot came to his conclusions was almost awe-inspiring. “Logic, yes, you have some. Splendid.”

The other man’s eyes flashed. Definitely a problem for another day.

“I’m already on it,” Andris stated smoothly. “I am simply informing you of my…our progress.”

“Good then. Carry on.” Trek waved him away with a regal posture.

With a slight nod, Andris turned and stalked from the room.

The human was a huge roadblock. She wasn’t even trained and she had been able to suck all the magic from the room at that last battle. That form of magic did not translate to Andris’s knowledge. If she did learn to use it before they could capture her, she’d be a huge problem to both their way of life, and also their agenda. The enemy would cash in and use her to crush Andris and the other usurpers. All Andris had done thus far would be useless.

She was a great pivot in this war, the winner largely decided by which side she chose. Being that she had allowed Stefan to mark her, clearly she’d already chosen a side, and this left them with two options: use her for her blood, or kill her. Andris would not hesitate to do what was needed. He just had to get close to her.

Which meant he needed to make a call. What good were spies if you never used them?

Chapter 2

A smile flashed across Stefan’s breathtakingly handsome face in the failing evening light. “You are so hell bent on not blasting me, you aren’t working the blade. Try again.”

I bounced from foot to foot like a football player waiting for hike. Stefan stood in front of me, large sword held lightly, waiting for me to strike. I feinted left and dove right, slashing with my very sharp dagger. The blade hacked down toward his forearm, making me squint in fear that I would hit him, until he easily shifted at the last second. The blade swept by toward the ground.