Sight: A Verse Thriller Read online

  By Patrick D. Kaiser

  Also by

  Patrick D. Kaiser

  Poetry Collections

  Catch the Moment

  Colors of the Heart

  The Light Before We Land

  The Crimson Minds

  Trilogy

  Crimson Minds

  Crimson Crown

  Crimson Lilies

  The Death-Bringer

  Chronicles

  Frost

  You can find all of these on Amazon.com

  Copyright © 2021 by Patrick D. Kaiser

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review.

  Book two of The Death-Bringer Chronicles

  Table of contents

  Out of the frying pan

  Going blind

  And then there were three

  Out of tune

  The frozen dead

  Willows and wisps

  Impossible to break

  Taxing taxi

  Toil town trouble

  Churn and burn

  Debt of the dead

  A twist of the knife

  The unwinnable game

  Dragging dragons

  Lies and pride

  Battle on the bars

  Sight untold

  What was lost

  Sneak Peeks

  To My Elder Sister Holly,

  For all the love & encouragement

  You give me.

  Even when I'm an annoying little brother.

  Thank you for loving & supporting me.

  Trial 1: Out of the frying pan

  Panting heavy, hard for breath

  Legs fighting to keep the pace

  The box in my arms weighing me down

  I don't care when – I don't care how

  I refuse to let this box drop

  I refuse to give up

  “Get back here!” Their high voices call in pursuit

  Smithing elves, tiny and cute

  Save for the fact they're cannibalistic

  You won't see that in a Christmas movie

  Or maybe you did and I just missed it

  Now they start speaking elvish

  As steam blasts hot and hellish

  In the steam ducts there's little room

  As from above I hear a giant boom

  Running, running, keeping pace

  With her help

  I might just win this race

  Who's she you ask?

  My partner fierce

  As suddenly I feel my skin being pierced

  “Get the hell off!” I shake my leg

  His fangs clamping harder still

  One of the elves in a tiny red hat

  Pointed ears, he gives a laugh

  Glaring at me right in the face

  His beady red eyes go wide

  As I give him a look

  Instantly, without touch, he's knocked to the side

  My focus and skill getting better everyday

  It's amazing what happens when you actually train

  Joining the Organization certainly has its perks

  That's actually the reason I'm here – For work

  Intel said there was an illegal weapons factory

  It was said there might be a lead

  To another Seer

  But that still remains unclear

  As another elf jumps trying to attack me

  I tilt my head as he flies past – Wheeeeee!

  Then I break into a run

  This is actually a lot of fun

  The booming sounds up above

  Explosions and fighting – She's having a blast

  The shaking of the structure giving me a shove

  I think that means we're about done

  As I continue to frantically run

  The box hefty and not at all light

  Wriggling and whimpering sounds inside

  “Just hold on buddy, we're almost there.”

  Suddenly, there's a burning smell on the air

  She didn't?

  Crap

  Time to book it

  Unless I prefer to let her cook him

  A fiery blast implodes from behind

  That's definitely not a good sign

  The fire quickly starts to spread

  The smell of sulfur and of ash

  Safe to say she's incinerated the weapons cache

  I'd rather not wind up dead

  I need to find an exit and get ahead

  The flames quickly coming from behind

  As I trip – Don't worry I'm fine

  Finally, she shows up just in time

  With her magic acuity she bars back the flames

  She is, after all, a fire mage

  Shielding the box I smile and say

  “Hiya! Nice job Leigh.”

  She gives me the look

  “Mission clear?” I ask

  To the back of my head she gives me a smack

  “Nathan, what was so important that you had to leave

  me to fight alone?

  Because you were gone, I ended up torching the entire zone.

  That means no evidence, no way to convict.”

  “You'll understand.” I say quick

  I open the box as there he lies on a pile of rocks

  Small as a kitten and sly as a fox

  The lion's head gives a meow

  As it stretches it's hooves

  And rattles it's snake tail proud

  “Let me get this straight.” She glares down

  “You made us fail the entire mission

  All to save a chimera kitten?”

  “Well, yeah.” I say petting his fur

  “You're such a good boy.” I say in a cute tone

  Leigh yells “It's a her!

  You are such an idiot!”

  Immediately she starts to steam

  As the whistle of sparks begin to scream

  Instantly, I realize I screwed up

  Pissing off Leigh is something you never wanna do

  Granted, however, it's not very tough

  But still

  I take in the sight of her burning up

  “Leigh, calm-” Suddenly, I'm having a vision

  I'm a Seer so I use eye magic

  Basically my eyes have god-like precision

  My sight is greater than any other

  And there are many other gifts I've yet to discover

  Before I could ever learn, they killed both my mothers

  That's why we're looking for a link to Seers

  In the end it works out because my vision's clear

  My brother and Jameson

  That's not actually his name...

  But in the end it's all the same

  They sit there in a dimly lit room

  My brother muttering “It'll be done soon.”

  It's creepy – He looks just like me

  We are twins – But from his crimson eyes, malice

  seethes

  Jameson, a mystery, but still bad news

  “Make sure you tell him we have the proof.”

  “That's not the issue!” My brother snaps

  “What happens if he goes on the attack?

  The entire plan goes up in smoke.

  There's no point in relying on a ghost.”

  “He's under our control.” Jameson says

  “It'll be fine. Now, get out of your head.

  I need your help with the next phase.

  Even a dead man has limited days.

  The good thing is we can use him to our advantage.

  To one of them he's family.

&nbs
p; Now, get up and help me.

  Our pets need to be managed.

  By the way,

  Tell me that prophesy again.”

  My brother gives an irritated sigh

  “Damn it. Pay attention this time.

  The Seer at the age of sixteen

  Will meet his eyes with a snake

  And going blind, two years it will take

  Setting the stage for Death's upheaval

  In the end opening the gates for evil

  The world then steeped into chaos

  The linking of the twelve leading to destruction

  ravenous

  One whom the Seer calls friend will be traitor

  Passing time, Death's scythe shall pierce

  Opening reality to indomitable terror

  The eyes of the Seer shall be no more

  As Death preserves his title and horde.”

  Suddenly the vision ends

  My heart heavy

  I look to my partner, my friend

  “What did you see?” She asks concerned

  “They're planning something.” I reply

  “There's some sort of prophesy,

  But that's all I learned.”

  “We need to report to the Chairman now.”

  Leigh's voice tense yet stout

  Taking the chimera, we head back

  Back to our boss to report fast

  Those two are planning something

  We have to be ready

  Opening a portal

  My convictions steady

  Finally, revenge will be mine

  Even if I have to forfeit my life

  That'll be fine

  They took my hope

  My promise broke

  My righteous anger they will know

  Allow me to introduce myself

  Though there's quite a bit to tell

  I'm one of the last of my clan

  My magic thought to be extinct

  With it, I'll push my enemies to the brink

  They picked a fight with the wrong guy

  I won't let them hurt anyone else

  Especially those I've promised to help

  Revenge on the rise – An eye for an eye

  That said, let's go ahead and start the fun

  Keep your eyes open

  I am a Seer

  My name is Nathan Masterson

  Trial 2: Going blind

  Arriving in an instant

  The Grand Terminal heavy

  The rush of O.D.s coursing through the levy

  Organization Detectives, as we're also known,

  We keep the peace – We protect their homes

  Coming and going in the blink of an eye

  Magically, to every part of the world we fly

  One minute here, then gone the next

  One thing's for certain

  Our frequent flyer miles are the best

  The organization is global

  But based here in France

  To serve and protect

  From Paris we make our stand

  As an assistant passes by I yell “Hey!

  Take George to my room.

  And make sure he has food for the next 3 days.”

  “George?” Leigh raises her brow

  “Georgette.” I correct myself, loud

  The assistant rushes off

  “You two!” Jerome calls

  A keeper to his core

  And just under 7 foot tall

  His demeanor pours over us all

  Keepers are basically handlers

  They grade the mission

  “We need to make an urgent report!” Leigh replies

  “It'll have to wait.” Jerome won't even listen

  “Orders are all O.D.s under eighteen

  Are to report to the training hall A.S.A.P.”

  “We understand,” I interject “but this is urgent.”

  “Nothing from a rookie,” His tone snide “is that

  important.

  Especially you, who flaunts disrespect for authority.

  You think you're special?” He scowls

  “I don't care when and I don't care how.

  I don't care why the Chairman chose you.

  I don't care what your clan is.

  You will follow the rules.

  Rule number one: I make the rules – That is the truth.

  Rule number two: The truth is proof.

  And Rule number three: If you can't follow the rules,

  you're of no use.

  Now get to the training hall and don't be late.”

  This is one guy I can't help but hate

  My blood boiling as I'm about to speak and regret my words

  Leigh grabs me, her eyes firm

  As she warns me off, I hold my tongue

  Joining the Organization has its perks

  But there's always a dark side to any work

  We begin walking toward the training hall

  Three whole months

  And not a welcoming soul that I can recall

  Everyone else in this entire profession

  Treats my position as if it's just a suggestion

  They all look at me like I'm worthless

  Like I shouldn't be here

  They're honestly right, to be clear

  But in the end it doesn't matter to me

  As long as I can avenge them

  Me being content is guaranteed

  “You should learn by now.” Leigh's tone taut

  “They make their disapproval loud.

  There's nothing we can do except keep on course.

  In the end we will find our door.

  And when we open it things will get better

  As long as we stick together.”

  I raise my brow

  “Was that off a fortune cookie?” I ask

  “Forget it! That's the last time I try to cheer you up!”

  She snaps

  “Sorry.” I reply “I truly appreciate it.”

  She gives a smile, low key and bright

  Unaware of the stress of the coming fight