Excerpt: Blue Soul

Excerpt 1:

The young man’s mouth began working again as he processed the question. Fingers still clawing slightly at the ground to get him to back up even when he couldn’t, Kaden finally found what little of his voice was left.

“K-Kaden,” he whispered, stuttering as he spoke.

“Well, Kaden, we are here to take you away for a great adventure,” Jado said, eyes snapping merrily, grin manic, “Does that not sound like fun?”

“I- I- I- I- I-”

“Oh no, I believe I have broken him,” Jado grinned into the human’s face.

Excerpt 2:

There was shuffling and surprised cries as he pushed people aside. Some of them edged towards the opening of the cell, running through the room and out of the building. Where they were running to, no one could tell, probably just to be caught up by another slaver or die of starvation.

Siak came out of the cell again, dragging one of the slaves with him. The emaciated man stumbled as the mercenary pulled at him, forcing him along.

Swinging his arm around as they came out of the cell, Siak threw the man up against the bars. It was then that Kaden recognized him. The slave that the mercenary was manhandling at that moment was the same man that had ratted them out to Kiril.

With one hand on the man’s neck, Kaden saw his friend’s eyes narrow with anger. When he spoke, his voice was low and cold. It sent a shiver down his spine.

“Did you think I’d forget about you?” the mercenary said.

“Siak, what—?!” Kaden started but didn’t finish his question.

In one swift movement, he drew the blade across the man’s neck, nearly cutting his head clean off. Fresh blood poured our, gushing onto Siak as he stood there, unflinching as it hit him.

The hand that held the man against the bars released and the body slumped to the floor, head falling to the side as it did. Siak turned his head slightly and spat. Apparently some of the blood had gotten in his mouth.

Kaden stared in wide-eyed horror, mouth hanging open. His childhood friend, the one he used to lead around by the hand, had just slit a man’s throat in cold blood, showing no emotion whatsoever.

It occurred to him then that this man, this mercenary, was no longer the person he knew.