akascrubber

Charlie is hooked. "There was something magical in those old eyes. The memory of how he and Taine had made love that etched something deep in Charlie’s soul. They were displaced, cursed, split. Their souls entwined in a way that was magical, powerful, and drove him half mad with need." Ellis is loving every minute of their torment,

I expect Will can critically look at the courses he takes and how they may apply in the real world. He has the connection to Stef 's and his dad's experience to guide him. He has already made some terrific investments and soon will get a Tesla to drive. It comes down sometimes to what his professors can inform him. I think many at Harvard could advise outside businesses, if they have a useful subject matter and Will might learn from some consulting type professors. The degree can get you in the door, but how you apply yourself and your knowledge matters most. If Will wants to go on to get a Harvard, MBA, he can study what it offered and make a decision. Right now, I think he wants to move next to be near to Travis. I think Will has an inside track to help Stef, if he wants it. I hope he does not want to become too comfortable with his growing wealth , too soon I had a friend in social circles when I was starting out on my first job from grad school who graduated from Harvard with a Harvard economic PhD. He was starting out at a nearby university. he told me a MBA business degree program was looked down upon by others at Harvard as not really a hard core, solid academic degree. Harvard Business had a separate graduation event. Its reputation was higher outside the school. I think many of the grads went into consulting for high salaries

"I am nearing the end of Book 3, Jerusalem is in sight." Please do add a book 4. We know Jerusalem is captured and then defended against a later counterattack. We can expect not all of our principal characters will survive. It will be very interesting and fulfilling to learn how Darien, Wylan and any other survivors live when they return home. The Crusade will change them for sure. How they become transformed going forward at home will be most compelling.

I can estimate , partially, the future ....So, Wylan and Darien have two sides to fight. Wylan's power will be seen as a dark art eventually and when either are not seen as needed or too obvious , then both will be targeted for killing--maybe. Plus, the real enemy is the young evil socerer,Prince Ishan ibn Fadil al’Kalijj., who will test and fight him when they finally realize each other matters Remember, this is a holy war backed by the Pope. People using dark arts should be severely tortured, made to confess and then die painfully. The stage is set for more mystery, horrible battles and intrigue and hopefully some needed love. Note, the crusades were horrendous . The fights for expansion were not one sided. The Ottoman Turks expansion was stopped in the western Mediterranean by the naval battle of Lepanto in 1571. The Ottoman Turks' expansion into Central Europe was effectively stopped at the Battle of Vienna in 1683

The Herald caught Mhalyn and realized she was working for the rebels. He used vines and plant poison to subdue and try to force her to inform on the rebels. Her end of her life was almost certain. She would not speak out and ran away to avoid confessing. She is near death. What hope does she have for a rescue?

Note-it was Scott, not Sean, who ended up in the dumpster It was a tragedy

Things are falling apart. Scott should have not left the apartment after it was attacked, Now, he is dead and his death will not be known for a long while. Gabriel will not miss him until after the party and his night in bed with Sean.The killer can search the apartment for clues to know where Gabriel is so he can find him and kill him Gabriel needs a better cover story fast. He has to spin a better yarn when he returns to meet Sean. This mess-up may not be the last this evening.

I prefer drinking wine as Cane23 suggested and finding out what I enjoy. The three guys in this story must need new experiences to break their impasse. There are enough good wineries where I live to make a good experience with friends tasting new releases every so often.

It could not be braille---Braille was created in 1824 by 15-year-old Louis Braille, a student at the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. The mystery of the book is profound. We should learn more about the book later in the story.

Taine spoke honestly to Tyler, but did not give him his whole story and he feels guilty. ".... Taine tried very hard not to think about the look in Charlie's eyes that morning, or the way his chest had felt when he'd seen Charlie running toward him across the market, or any of the other things he couldn't say." I am surprised that Taine does not see the handiwork of Ellis in his dilemma. He is brutally tormented with no easy, pain free solution It seems he and Tyler have had sex before. Should they keep having more sex now and see if this better brings them together ? Or, should Taine seek to have sex with Charlie to see if he is now more drawn to him?

Simon asked the right questions. Chloe was being too restrained "He's enchanting the food supply," Simon said patiently, as if explaining to a child. "That's not accusation. That's observation. The question is how, and why, and what we do about it."

So Wylan was given a book to understand magic. I first thought it was a holy book of Islam. He has started to understand the book. I think Darien is misguided. Lord Haskal should set him straight. He will want Wylan to harness magic for the crusaders. The heat they are facing is beyond exhausting and over the top painful. Then , at night the desert is terribly cold. They are being worn out.

Absolute power corrupts absolutely--The Herald now has drugged and controls the council and will demand all citizens comply or be considered rebels. He will demand the rebels be rounded up or killed before the country marches on its natural enemy. Mhalyn is aghast at what the Herald has sone and now sees him as a manipulative psychopath. She finds Petre and tells him what has happened, He could counter the drug but needs a sample to prepare an antidote. Mhalyn will try to get a sample and it is dangerous. She will take a tonic from Petre to induce sleep in the Herald and Fenn and find the drug controlling others. It seems to be the only hope to stop the Herald. Will her efforts work or will she be found out and killed?

Som the bets are on that will is going to get several modelling contracts. He is now pegged to be the "It" boy We will see Jeremy dressed him as a barely costumed gladiator and Will won the best dressed outfitted person and you could see his bare ass if you looked closely. He only wore a jock strap underneath. Will avoided having sex with anyone at the party. I admire his restraint. But now he is going back to be fucked by Travis and they both will be very happy. Will paparazzi show up at Harvard to take pics of Will?

Soon it will clear that the enemy Wynthorpe will face is Prince Louis. King John is near death and not able to attack. Prince Louis might want to find out if a major force arises from John's army. Wynthorpe's destruction might be a second priority at this time. The men of the keep and marshes will be ready.

Is Charlie the father of Cecil, the coming dark lord--the new Ton Riddle? Who is the mother of Cecil? You have given a new book theme and set the stage for the conflict in this book--an evil poisonous butcher, Taine now beginning to see he is going to live forever and Tyler staring to realize all is not well between him and Taine. The evil plant should shock them.

I expect the Saracen will return to meet Wylan again. The Crusade leaders will get into trouble when they do not listen to Wylan,

Only the Bulwark knew what was happening, but Fenn was too far gone and enthralled by the Herald who now will control the leadership Things are not looking good. Only the Herald can think clearly. The others are unable to think fast or clearly or able to provide sound advice in a dangerous situation. They will need to be drugged regularly.

I noticed the Hogwarts reference. I am glad this Umbridge was not related to the pink toad Deloris who tormented her charge Harry Potter with a painful blood quill. Simon would have been shocked and traumatized if he had to use a blood quill--even if it could be color coded red.

Yes, I agree that this act of real trust should bring them closer together. Sam is a kind hearted soul who might help his knight feel better. Things between them can improve based on real knowledge and not fear. I expect there are other parts of his knight's body that Sam could grow to admire and treasure. I hope they can be open to exploration. We will see....

Oh boy--Simon went through his version of hell and contained a werewolf which has not yet returned to his other state The irony and humor of Simon being made prefect was awesome No one yet knows Edgar was behind the transformation--He wants proof of what has happened--What will he do next? Will he try to get others to trandsform?

Hooray--Darien beat the overconfident bastard count. Longswords on foot in the mud went to Darien's advantage and past ways of fighting. He lured the count into a trap and hit him when the count was overextended. The count fell and was pounded and pounded and yielded. Darien won all of the count's holdings from his horses, wagon, gear, food, tent, etc. The King was pleased he bet on Darien and made a killing. He was proud of Darien and Wylan. He will back them and Wylan heritage from now on Victory was sweet.

So Ain has been captured and is in a coma for now. When he wakes up Katya will experiment in him. It will be painful and he should scream. Katya loves torturing her victims and hopes to take away his power and stop his ability to hurt Orinovo soldiers Yarima does not like torture and wants to take Ain away, Neven will not help her stop Katya. Yarima hopes Neven will intercede once he hears Ain scream-- They need a plan and do not have one yet,

Tyler thought they were going to be married. Their impending break up will shock and distort them both.

Book 2 ends with Mhalyn realizing how corrupt and manipulative the Herald is. He was drugged Fenn who has no independent ideas and is fully subservient to the Herald. She has found Petre and will help the rebels. He wants to rescue Ain. Will this rescue happen soon? I am looking forward to reading the next book.