Del Rey and Bantam 2014 Sampler, excerpt

8/12/2019 Del Rey and Bantam 2014 Sampler, excerpt

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JOEABERCROMBIE

HALFA

KINGdDEL REY NEW YORK


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THE GREATER

GOOD

There was a harsh gale blowing on the night Yarvi learned

he was a king. Or half a king, at least.

A seeking wind, the Gettlanders called it, for it found out

every chink and keyhole, moaning Mother Seas dead chill into

every dwelling, no matter how high the fires were banked or

how close the folk were huddled.

It tore at the shutters in the narrow windows of Mother

Gundrings chambers and rattled even the iron-bound door in

its frame. It taunted the flames in the firepit and they spat and

crackled in their anger, casting clawing shadows from the

dried herbs hanging, throwing flickering light upon the root

that Mother Gundring held up in her knobbled fingers.

And this?

It looked like nothing so much as a clod of dirt, but Yarvi

had learned better. Black-tongue root.


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4 | J O E A B E R C R O M B I E

And why might a minister reach for it, my prince?

A minister hopes they wont have to. Boiled in water it

cant be seen or tasted, but is a most deadly poison.Mother Gundring tossed the root aside. Ministers must

sometimes reach for dark things.

Ministers must find the lesser evil, said Yarvi.

And weigh the greater good. Five right from five. Mother

Gundring gave a single approving nod and Yarvi flushed with

pride. The approval of Gettlands minister was not easily won.And the riddles on the test will be easier.

The test. Yarvi rubbed nervously at the crooked palm of

his bad hand with the thumb of his good.

You will pass.

You cant be sure.

It is a ministers place always to doubtBut always to seem certain, he finished for her.

See? I know you. That was true. No one knew him bet-

ter, even in his own family. Especially in his own family. I

have never had a sharper pupil. You will pass at the first ask-

ing.

And Ill be Prince Yarvi no more. All he felt at that

thought was relief. Ill have no family and no birthright.

You will be Brother Yarvi, and your family will be the

Ministry. The firelight found the creases about Mother Gun-

drings eyes as she smiled. Your birthright will be the plants

and the books and the soft word spoken. You will remember

and advise, heal and speak truth, know the secret ways and

smooth the path for Father Peace in every tongue. As I have

tried to do. There is no nobler work, whatever nonsense the

muscle-smothered fools spout in the training square.


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H A L F A K I N G | 5

The muscle-smothered fools are harder to ignore when

youre in the square with them.

Huh. She curled her tongue and spat into the fire. Onceyou pass the test you only need go there to tend a broken head

when the play gets too rough. One day you will carry my

staff. She nodded toward the tapering length of studded and

slotted elf-metal which leaned against the wall. One day you

will sit beside the Black Chair, and be Father Yarvi.

Father Yarvi. He squirmed on his stool at that thought.I lack the wisdom. He meant he lacked the courage, but

lacked the courage to admit it.

Wisdom can be learned, my prince.

He held his left hand, such as it was, up to the light. And

hands? Can you teach those?

You may lack a hand, but the gods have given you rarergifts.

He snorted. My fine singing voice, you mean?

Why not? And a quick mind, and empathy, and strength.

Only the kind of strength that makes a great minister, rather

than a great king. You have been touched by Father Peace,

Yarvi. Always remember: strong men are many, wise men are

few.

No doubt why women make better ministers.

And better tea, in general. Gundring slurped from the

cup he brought her every evening, and nodded approval again.

But the making of tea is another of your mighty talents.

Heros work indeed. Will you give me less flattery when

Ive turned from prince into minister?

You will get such flattery as you deserve, and my foot in

your arse the rest of the time.


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6 | J O E A B E R C R O M B I E

Yarvi sighed. Some things never change.

Now to history. Mother Gundring slid one of the books

from its shelf, stones set into the gilded spine winking red andgreen.

Now? I have to be up with Mother Sun to feed your doves.

I was hoping to get some sleep before

Ill let you sleep when youve passed the test.

No you wont.

Youre right, I wont. She licked one finger, ancient papercrackling as she turned the pages. Tell me, my prince, into

how many splinters did the elves break God?

Four hundred and nine. The four hundred Small Gods,

the six Tall Gods, the first man and woman, and Death, who

guards the Last Door. But isnt this more the business of a

prayer-weaver than a minister?Mother Gundring clicked her tongue. All knowledge is the

business of the minister, for only what is known can be con-

trolled. Name the six Tall Gods.

Mother Sea and Father Earth, Mother Sun and Father

Moon, Mother War and

The door banged wide and that seeking wind tore through

the chamber. The flames in the firepit jumped as Yarvi did,

dancing distorted in the hundred hundred jars and bottles on

the shelves. A figure blundered up the steps, setting the bunches

of plants swinging like hanged men behind him.

It was Yarvis uncle Odem, hair plastered to his pale face

with the rain and his chest heaving. He stared at Yarvi, eyes

wide, and opened his mouth but made no sound. One needed

no gift of empathy to see he was weighed down by heavy news.


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H A L F A K I N G | 7

What is it? croaked Yarvi, his throat tight with fear.

His uncle dropped to his knees, hands on the greasy straw.

He bowed his head, and spoke two words, low and raw.My king.

And Yarvi knew his father and brother were dead.


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CIRCLEOF

FIRE

KERI ARTHUR

DELL

NEW YORK


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ONE

MADELINE SMITH DIDNT BELIEVE IN GHOSTSNOT UNTIL

the night Jon Barnett walked into her life, anyway.Maddie drew her legs up to her chest and held themclose. Maybe walkedwas the wrong word to use; his

method of movement seemed more like floating.Outside her bedroom, the branches of an old elm

scraped back and forth across the tin roofing. Thewind howled around the old housean eerie cry thatmatched her mood of anticipation and fear. Snowscurried past the windows, a stark contrast against

the blackness of the night.It felt oddly fitting to be sitting on her bed, waiting

for the arrival of a ghost while an early winter stormraged outside.

Only heinsisted he wasnt a ghost at all.She tugged the blankets over her knees and won-

dered if she should stoke the fire with a little morewood. Maybe the heat would keep him away. Ormaybe hed gotten tired of his game and simply for-gotten about her. She believed that the desperation inhis eyes was real enough; she just didnt believe that

hewas real.Perhaps he was just a figment of her imagination


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2 Keri Arthur

a last, desperate escape from the loneliness of herlife.

The clock on the mantel began to chime quietly,and she turned to look at the time. One-thirty. Maybehe hadforgotten about her . . .

Madeline.She closed her eyes, uncertain whether fear or the

unexpected pleasure of hearing the low velvet voice

one more time had caused the sudden leap of herheart.

Madeline, he repeated. This time a hint of ur-gency touched the warmth of his voice.

He stood in the shadows to the left of her window.Despite the storm that raged outside, he wore only a

short-sleeved black shirt and dark jeansthe sameclothes hed worn when he had first appeared lastnight.

Tonight there wassomething different about him,though.

Tonight he looked afraid.

But he wasnt real,damn it! How could a ghost feelfear?

Madeline, you musthelp me.She closed her heart to the desperate plea in his

voice. What he was asking her to do was impossible.I cant. She avoided his gaze and fiddled with the

fraying edge of the blanket. I dont know you. Idont even believe that you exist. How can you expectme to leave everything I have on the word of a ghost?

You must! The sudden sharpness of his voicemade her look up. All Im asking is for you to travel

across the state, not to another country. Why are youso afraid to leave your retreat?


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 3

Maddie stared at him. He seemed to understandaltogether too much about her. No one else had seen

her fearnot even her sister, who was as close to heras Maddie ever allowed anyone to get these days.

Theres nothing wrong with being cautious, shesaid after a moment.

He studied her, amusement flickering briefly in thediamond-bright depths of his blue eyes. I never said

there was. But life has to be lived. You cannot hideforever.

She ignored the sliver of alarm in her heart, ignoredthe whispers that demanded she ask how he knew somuch about her, and raised an eyebrow. And whatdoes a ghost know about such things?

He sighed, running a hand through his overly longhair. In the light of the fire, slivers of gold seemed toflow through his fingers. Im no ghost, Madeline.But I will be if you dont help me soon.

Alarm danced through her heart. What do youmean?

He walked across to the fire and held out his hands,as if to capture the warmth of the flames. Hair dustedhis arms, golden strands that gleamed in the firelight.His fingers were long and smooth and tanned. Lord,he seemed realand yet, if she looked closely enough,she could see the glow of the fire through his body.

I mean that Im stuck down this damn well, and Icant get out. I will die, Madeline, unless you helpme.

Maddie closed her eyes and tried to stifle the risingspiral of fear. Not for her safety, because she sensed

this was one ghost who would cause her no harm. Itwas just fear of . . . what? She didnt know,but there


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4 Keri Arthur

was something about this apparition that made herwary.

Perhaps she should play along with him. Surely hedeventually tire of his game and leave her alone. Orperhaps she was just going mad, as most of her so-called friends had insisted she would.

Yet those same friends had never understood whatshe was, or what she was capable of doing. Nor had

they ever tried to help her.Why cant someone else rescue you? You must

have friends. Why dont you go haunt them?Believe me, I would if I could.His tone was dry and left no doubt that he would

rather be anywhere else than with her. Bad news

when even a damn ghost doesnt want your com-pany.So why cant you?

He frowned. I dont know. Some force keeps driv-ing me toward you. I have no choice in the matter,Madeline. Youre all I have.

And you refuse to help me.The unspoken rebuke

was in his eyes when he glanced at her. Maddie bither lip and looked away, watching the snow continueits dance past her window. Maybe she was goingmad. She was beginning to feel sorry for a ghost.

Why would you be able to reach a completestranger and not anyone of real use to you?

I dont know.He hesitated, so she quickly said, If you want my

help, you at least owe me the truth.Fair enough. He turned his back to the fire but

kept his hands behind him, as if still trying to warm

them. Whatever this force is, it brings with it a senseof danger. And its connected with you somehow.


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 5

He seemed to say an awful lot without actually say-ing anything, Maddie noted. Maybe her ghost had

been a politician in a former life.That made everything so much clearer, she said

dryly.He shot her a look that was half amusement, half

frustration. Someone close to you is in danger and,somehow, theyre drawing me to you.

Besides her sister Jayne, the only other person whoqualified was Jaynes son, Evan. And if he didhavethat sort of power, it would be a recent development,meaning it was highly unlikely hed have the sort ofcontrol Jon was suggesting. No, she thought grimly,there was only one uncontrolled misfit left in their

small family unit.So how did you end up in the well?Someone shot me when I was out exploring. He

shrugged. I must have fallen in.Maddie raised an eyebrow. From what she could

see of him, there was remarkably little evidence of a

bullet wound. Then you aredead.He sighed and closed his eyes. I was hit in the

arm. The fall could have killed me, but I was . . .lucky.

The arm closer to her was a suntanned brown, wellmuscled and remarkably free of wounds. His handswere still firmly clasped together, which surelywouldnt be possible if the other arm had a bulletwound. Maybe it was her ghost who was mad, notshe.

Why cant I see any sort of wound, then?

Because Im here astrally.That doesnt really explain why youre standing


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there with no wound. Or why she could see him.From the little she knew of astral travel, she shouldnt

have been able to do that, let alone interact with him.Youre not seeing the wound because I dont want

you to.Which was probably a good thing, given that she

didwant to get some sleep tonight. Why dont youjust shout for help?

As I explained before, I cant take the risk. Some-one is out to get me. If they think Im still alive, theylljust find me and finish the job.

A chill ran through her. It could have been an ac-cident.

No.

She closed her eyes at the soft certainty in his voice.Then if I come to help you, mylife could be in dan-ger.

How would they know youre there to help me?Youd just be another tourist passing by.

The sudden weariness in his voice made her look at

him. His form had faded slightly, merging with thenight. Something was wrong, something more thanthe fact that hed been shot. And she sensed that hewouldnt tell her what. Who do you mean by they?

Im not exactly sure. But someone in this townknew why I was here, and they moved pretty swiftlyto get rid of me.

Then tell me again what town youre in, and whyyoure there. If he was going to continue hauntingher, she should at least try to understand a little moreabout him. And last night shed been too busy trying

to convince herself that he was nothing more than avivid dream to really listen to anything he said.


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 7

He stared at her, then shook his head. How manytimes do I have to repeat myself before you believe

me?His voice held an edge of desperation that made her

wince. You mentioned some townSherbrook,wasnt it?

He closed his eyes for a moment, as if battling toremain calm. Sherbrook is the name of the inn. The

place is Taurin Bay.An odd sense of foreboding ran through her. Evan

had attended a school camp in Taurin Bay only amonth ago. Jayne had gone along as cook and chiefpot-washer. That force you said was driving you tomewas it male or female?

Male. He paused, eyes narrowing. Why?Evansomething told her it was Evan. Maddie

licked her lips and wondered if she should call hersisteror was she just worrying over nothing again?

Maddie, whats wrong?She stared at him blankly for a moment. My sister

has a thirteen-year-old son named Evan. Both ofthem were in Taurin Bay last month.

Damn! Jon ran a hand through his hair, thenabruptly walked forward, stopping only when hisknees touched the side of her bed.

He was close, so close. She could see the rise andfall of his chest, feel the whisper of his breath washacross her skin. Could smell hima faint scent ofcologne mixed with hints of earth and sweat. But hewasnt real,damn it!

Over the last two years, sixteen teenagers have

been taken from their homes and havent been seenalive again. In each case, no locks or windows were


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disturbed. And each time, the teenager was taken onthe next full moon aftertheir families returned from

Taurin Bay.Her heart leaped. She raised a hand to her throat

and tried to remain calm. Evan is safe at home. Thisis ridiculous.

Someone is drawing me here, Madeline. Someonewho knows hes in danger. Youre the connection be-

tween us. Tonight is a full moon. Go call your sister.She scrambled off the bed and ran to the bedroom

door. Then she hesitated, looking back at Jon. Hehadnt moved, but his body had faded, losing itsshape to the darkness. Only his blue eyes were stillbright.

Go call her, he said. Then come to me. Saveme.

Maddie turned away from his plea, though sheknew he wouldnt be there when she returned. Sheran down the hall to the phone in the kitchen, turn-ing on lights as she went. Somehow, the darkness

seemed too intense to face alone.Fingers trembling, she picked up the phone and di-

aled Jaynes number. It seemed to ring forever. Mad-die bit her lip, hoping nothing had happened, hopingthat Evan was in bed and safe.

Hello? a croaky, half-asleep voice said eventu-ally.

Jayne, its me, she said without preamble. IsEvan there? Is he all right?

There was a slight pause, and Maddie could hearthe rustle of blankets as her sister shifted around in

her bed. Of course he is. Why?Because Im a fool; because a ghost told me he may


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 9

be in danger.Humor your little sister and just gocheck, will you?

Jayne sighed. Maddie, have you been drinkingagain?

Maddie closed her eyes. Whenever Jayne thoughtshe had a problem, she asked the same questioneven though it had been six years and ten days sinceMaddie had last had a drink. She hadnt touched al-

cohol since the fire that had taken her husbands life.The experts had never found an explanation for thatfire, though they had theories aplenty. Maddie knewthe truth, but she wasnt about to tell anyonenoteven her sister.

She cleared her throat. No. I had a dream, and I

want to reassure myself hes all right.For Gods sake, its almost two. Annoyance ran

through Jaynes voice, but at least she was still listen-ing. She hadnt yet slammed the phone down.

Im well aware of the time. It will only take a min-ute to check on Evan. Please.

I guess Id better, her sister muttered, or youllbe calling all night again.

Maddie heard Steve, Jaynes husband, murmursomething disparaging, then the squeak of springs asJayne got out of bed. Maddie grimaced, hoping shewasoverreacting. Hoping Jon wasnt right. She staredout the kitchen window as she waited, watching thesnow flurries dance across her yard. Then she heardthe sound of returning footsteps and felt her stomachknot. Please let Evan be safe.

Evans sound asleep in bed, Maddie. Jaynes

voice was a mix of exasperation and annoyance.And so should you be.


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This time Jayne did hang up on her, but Maddiedidnt mind. Jon had been wrong. Evan was okay.

She replaced the receiver, then thrust a shaking handthrough her hair as she sagged back against the wallin relief. Maybe Jayne was right. Maybe all sheneeded was a good nights sleepsomething that hadeluded her ever since her world had disappeared intoflames.

She closed her eyes, fighting the memories, fightingthe sudden need to wash the pain into oblivion witha drink. Thatchapter of her life was over. She wouldnot return to it, even through memories. And if Jondid come back, shed tell him to go find someone elseto haunt. She wasnt interestednot if the cost was

to make her sister think she was stranger than ever.

HISONLYCHANCEOFSURVIVALWASAWOMANAFRAIDOF

life. Jon shook his head at the irony of it and leanedwearily against the cold stone wall of the well. Hed

seen the fear in the amber flame of her eyes, in thetremor in her hands as she ran her fingers through herchestnut-colored hair. She was afraid to move fromthe safety of her home.

And he would die if she didnt.He smiled grimly and stared up at the pale stars

twinkling in the dark bracket of sky far above him.How he wished he could fly, simply wing his way

up out of the well to freedom! But with his arm likethis, he couldnt even climb. He glanced down, not-ing that his flesh had swollen around the handkerchief

hed tied across his forearm.Someone had shot him, but not with a gun, as


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 11

Madeline had presumed. Someone in Taurin Bayknew what he was. Hed used arrows made of white

ash, a wood that was deadly to those with magic intheir souls when embedded in their flesh.

Hed broken off most of the shaft, but a section re-mained, and while it was probably the only reason hehadnt bled to death, it was also slowly but surelykilling him.

Oddly enough, he felt no pain. Not now, anyway.Maybe it was the cold. Maybe it was the numbnessbeginning to infuse his body. Or maybe he was asthick-skinned as many of his friends believed.

He grimaced and closed his eyes. Hed thoughtabout dying many times in his life, but he never

thought death would come like this, with him lyinghelpless and alone in the cold, cold night.

And yet, in some ways, it was oddly fitting. Hedspent most of his adult life alone, so why not die thesame way?

He wouldnt have cared much, either, if only hed

had the chance to see his family one more time andexplain why hed avoided them so much over the lastten years.

An owl hooted softly in the distance. He listenedcarefully, then heard the soft snap of wings, the smallcry of a field mouse. If the owls were out looking fora meal, it meant there was no one about to disturbtheir hunting. And therefore, no one hunting him.Trapped down this damn well, hed be easy pickings.A day had passed since hed been shot. By all rights,he should be safe from attackers, but hed learned

over the years never to relax his guard.He toed the water lapping the edges of the small


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12 Keri Arthur

ledge. The water had been his salvation in more waysthan one. It had broken his fall and, no doubt, saved

his life. And it was drinkable, which meant he wasntin any danger of dehydration. But it might yet killhim, too. His abilities gave him some protectionagainst the cold, but he knew he was starting to pushhis limits. His plunge into the water had soaked everybit of his clothing, and now he was so cold it hurt to

move.If Madeline did find the courage to come to his res-

cue, she might discover nothing more than a five-foot-ten-inch icicle.

Madelinewhat was he going to do about her?How could he convince her that she was sane and

that he really needed her help? What had happened inher life that made her so afraid?

A wave of dizziness hit him, and there was nothinghe could do except ride out the feeling. He probablyhad enough strength left to contact her one moretime. If he couldnt convince her to help him, hed just

have to hope that someone in the Circle realized hewas in trouble and came to his rescue.

Because if someone didnt, more kids would die.

THESNOWHADTURNEDTORAIN, WHICHFELLINASOAKING

mist. Rivers of water were beginning to run past thehouse, scouring tiny trenches along the freshly gradeddriveway. The tops of the cedars, claret ashes, andsilver birches that crowded the fence line were lost tothe mist, and though dawn should have come and

gone, night still seemed to hold court.Maddie raised the coffee mug she held between


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 13

both hands and took a sip. The wind was bitter, butthe wide old verandah protected her from the worst

of the storm, and her threadbare coat kept her warmenough. She couldnt face going indoors just yet. Asmuch as shed tried to go back to sleep, she couldnt.The old house suddenly felt too big, too full ofghosts . . .

Except for one.

She sighed and leaned back against a verandahpost. She couldnt shake Jon from her thoughts.Couldnt shake the desperation shed glimpsed in hiseyes.

What if he really wasin need of her help?She sipped her coffee and stared out across the

snow-flung wilderness of her yard. In a last-ditch ef-fort to salvage her life, shed moved to Oregon to be alittle closer to her sister and nephew, and had boughtthis house and its untamed three acres six years ago.It had become her haven, the one place she felt trulysafe. Or it had until a ghost had started invading her

nights.Still, she had no real wish to be anywhere else. The

flowers she raised in the barn shed converted to agreenhouse made small luxuries possible, and shehad enough money invested to see her through thehard times. Even Jayne had given up her efforts to getMaddie back into what she called mainstream life.

Maddie chewed on her lip. The question she had toface was clear. Could she simply stand by and let Jondie?

If she believed him, the answer was no. But that

was the crux of the matter. Part of her was afraid tobelieve, and part of her was afraid not to. She took


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14 Keri Arthur

another sip of coffee and shivered as the wind ran icyfingers across the back of her neck.

Then she stiffened. Something told her she was nolonger alone. Slowly, she turned.

Jon stood several feet away, his face as pale as thesnow behind him, blue eyes still bright despite theshadows beneath them. He looked like death, andthe thought chilled her soul.

What can I do to make you believe me? he askedsoftly.

There was a hoarseness to his voice that had notbeen evident a few hours before, an edge of wearinessand pain that tore at her need to stay safe.

Maybe its not a case of me believing you. Maybe

its just a case of knowing I canthelp you.He ran a hand through his hair and looked away,

appearing to study the silvery drops dripping steadilyfrom a hole in the gutter. Then you have killed meas surely as those who shot me, he whispered after amoment.

No! She closed her eyes. How could she ever sur-vive the weight of another death, whether or not itwas her fault? Isnt there someone I could contact,maybe a friend in a better position to help?

My companions live in Washington, D.C., and mytime is running out. He looked at her. Youre myonly chance, Madeline. Please.

Something in his eyes made her want to reach outand touch him. She clenched her fingers around hercoffee cup and turned away, knowing she had toreact with her mindnot with her emotions, and

definitely not with her heart. They had only led her totragedy in the past.


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CIRCLE OF FIRE 15

Why wont they suspect me?You are . . . ordinary.

Ordinary.She almost laughed at the bitter irony ofit. How often had she heard that in the past? No onesuspected the truth, not even her own sister.

Madeline, I dont meanIt doesnt matter. She turned to face him. I cant

change what I am. Nor can I deny that Im afraid. But

I just cant run off wildly without some proof.He sighed. Im in no position to prove anything.Mist drifted around him, darkening his hair where

it touched. She wanted to reach out and touch him, tofeel the heat of his body, to hold him close and caressaway the lines of pain from his face. Maybe I am in-

sane. I want to touch this ghost in ways I nevertouched my husband.Shaking her head, she steppedaway from him.

Something flickered in his blue eyes, and a slightgrimace twisted his generous mouth. It was almost asif hed sensed the reason for her fear. But thats

ridiculoushes a ghostan astral travelernot amind reader.The sharp ring of the telephone inter-rupted the heavy silence. Maddie glanced at herwatch and frowned. It was barely seven. Who wouldbe calling at this hour? She headed inside to answerit, then hesitated, meeting Jons steady gaze.

We wont meet again, he murmured. He reachedout, as if to touch her cheek, then let his hand fall.For that, Im sorry. Stay safe, Madeline.

No . . . Maddie watched him fade until there wasnothing left but the warmth of his voice in her

thoughts.She closed her eyes and fought the rise of tears.


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16 Keri Arthur

Damn it, why should she cry for a ghost when shehadnt even cried for her husband? She bit her lip and

watched the mist swirl around the spot where hedstood. Maybe because Jon had shown her morewarmth in the few hours shed known him than Brianhad ever shown in the six years they were married?

The insistent ringing broke through her thoughts.She took a deep breath, then ran down the length of

the verandah to the back door, fleeing her thoughts asmuch as running for the phone.

Slamming the door open, she snatched the receiverfrom the hook. Hello?

Maddie?She froze. It was Jayne . . . Oh lord, let Evan be

safe.Yet the note in her sisters voice told her some-thing was terribly wrong. What is it?

Its Evan, Jayne sobbed. Hes disappeared,Maddie. Just gone . . . without a trace.

Documents

Del Rey and Bantam 2014 Sampler, excerpt