Eight of Hearts: The Rift Blade - Book 1

Chapter 8

Adriana walked unconcernedly through the nearly empty streets of London. Isaac followed a few feet behind, bouncing around like a puppy on a walk. If it wasn't for the stench rising from the gutters, it would have been a pleasant walk for her.

"This place creeps me out," she commented dryly. They passed by a group of shady-looking men standing just outside a nearby alley. Adriana glared back at them as they eyed her up and down, throwing a silent challenge that efficiently shut down any idea of attacking her.

Isaac seemed oblivious to the dangers around them. Skipping along without a care, he bowed briefly in greeting to the group of thugs before jumping forward to keep pace with her.

He stopped suddenly, turning to point up at the tall buildings on either side of them. "I'm going to jump from that building to that building!" he exclaimed.

"You creep me out," Adriana added, hurrying on without waiting for him.

Despite her first impressions of him, Isaac's joyful attitude was growing on her. She was reminded of a time in her own life when such joy was part of her daily life. She remembered hot summers and cool winters that passed in tranquil peace. She remembered coming home from school to comforting family meals and warm smiles.

But that was long ago, and those memories came with a bitter reminder of how her life had changed. The only thing that could dull that ache was alcohol.

"I wonder if there's any place around here that serves a decent drink?" she muttered aloud. The strange city was foreign to her, and she had yet to see any sign of a proper bar.

Isaac skipped along beside her, indicating the eerie figures that creeped through the alleys around them with a wave. "I'm sure we could get like forty-seven different types of tea if we knew where to ask."

Adriana chuckled, shoving the boy gently as she replied: "Hah! That's not what I meant and you know it."

Isaac straightened, grinning mischieviously at her. "You don't really seem worried about getting home," he commented.

"Nope," she answered, though her unusually cheerful mood quickly drained away.

"How come?"

Adriana glanced over at the boy, noticing his grin had vanished for the first time since she had met him. He looked earnestly back at her, with a sincerity that pained her to see.

She turned away before answering, "Not really any of your business, is it?" She could still feel his gaze on her, looking straight into her soul. "I'm just going to get drunk and stay that way until one of you geniuses figures something out," she added. "It's not like things are worse here than anywhere else."

Tobias and James watched the horde approaching them with weapons ready. The bones of the fallen warriors, animated by some unknown black magic, now threatened to overwhelm them.

"This could be a problem," James commented with a frown. He turned and started sprinting away from the battlefield. "Run for it!" he called back.

Tobias still had a boulder resting on his foot, so he stayed where he was. He pointed irritably downward until James glanced back and noticed him.

James slid to a halt. "Oh yeah..." he said, rushing back over to help him. Stabbing Excalibur back into the boulder, he levered it off Tobias's foot. "There you go!" he said, satisfied with his own work.

Tobias pulled his foot free and stepped back, allowing James to release his hold on the sword handle. "Ugh! Finally!" he said, glad to be free. "Now let's get out of here before--"