PRINCE OF SAPPHIRE
Snippet from Red Moon Rising Trilogy
Written by Bonnie Watson
Copyright © 2008. All Rights Reserved.

It mattered little that the castle was devoid of life. Nathaniel was gone. His pet harpy had escaped. The once human body he had inhabited had been sucked dry when he removed himself from its core, taking the alchemist’s soul with it. His son, though, now there was a trophy, if ever he could name one. There was a man who knew the ups and downs of the illusionist world, and a faint chuckle passed the dark prince’s lips. Should have been more careful. He grinned at himself in the oval-shaped mirror, the body of the young man he possessed smiling back. Abraham he was no more. Now, there was just Merlock.

The only companions he could claim were his creations. Dracons, he called them. Part lizard, part man, they served without hesitance, providing the latest information on the Prince of Light. There’s always a way to frighten an animal in the night. He crossed the vast chamber to a side foyer. There, a simple gesture opened a hidden passage, and he stepped into the dimly lit room. He delighted in mind manipulations, but his latest catch had proved quite difficult, and for good reason.

The Healer’s wrists, shackled to magic dispelling arches, centered the body neatly for easier handling. Already, Merlock’s latest experiments had left one side of the Lo’ans’rel robe tattered, though the dark prince was careful not draw blood. That would come later.

A finger gently lifted the Healer’s chin, and weary emerald eyes met his host’s dark crimson.

“My dear Shy,” he purred, slightly gripping the cheeks so his prisoner could not turn away. “Ready for another try? You do realize I’ll know the location of your brother sooner or later. It’s just a matter of time before someone…slips.”

“If I had spit right now, it’d be in your face,” Shy managed in a dry tone.

Merlock only laughed. “Then you would feel my wrath afterwards, and I don’t think you want that, now do you?” He released the Healer’s face and turned to check how many vials remained on the counter. “Jenario was very kind to already have potions made from Euliactment.” He flashed a broad smile over his shoulder. “Shall we drink to the future?”

“You vile snake!” Shy struggled against his bonds, to no avail. No amount of strength would break them, especially not if a dark unicorn was controlling the magic throughout the Realm of Sapphire. “Go on then! You’ll get nothing from me, the same as before. I’ll never tell you where Wisdom his, or his champions!”

“Ah, yes.” Merlock filled a syringe with some of the potions contents. “His delightful and yet annoying champions.” He made sure to hold the needle where the Healer could clearly see how much would be pumped into him this time. “Let’s try a double dose. I’m in need for a little music to end this miserable silence.”