Page 12 of A Conduit of Light
Again,BaronHeimlenlaughed with fervor at her quick retort.Theadrenaline that coursed throughAsh’sbody felt as heavy as lead.Shedidn’t want to be here, like this, deflection after deflection as if she was in a battle for her life.Butshewashere.Shetook a breath and let it out slowly through her nose, her eyes darting towardBaronRevichto catch his reaction to her insulting remark.
Hestared at her still with his gnawed apple in one hand, the other tucked into his pocket, a pained look on his face.
“Mydear, there is really no need for your defiance.Youbelong here just as much as your fellow channelers.”Heplaced his hands onClairanniaandFiguerah’sshoulders as he spoke, a great smile upon his worn face as he looked down at them. “Now, let’s all finish up and trek to the training grounds.Wehave much to do in so little a time!BaronRevich, mayIspeak to you before we begin?”
BaronHeimlenmotioned to the opposite door they came in which servants had been darting in and out of.Ashassumed it led to the kitchens.
“Ofcourse,” he replied, setting his desecrated apple down on the plate in front of him, taking his eyes offAshand feigning a smile.
Assoon as they were out of earshot,Ashwas hit with a stream of questions.
“Youdidn’t tell us you know theQueenofHyrithia!”
“Howcould youspeakto him that way?Heis the most powerful man on the isle!”
“Andwhat do you mean magic-less?Doyou really not have any?”
“Youneed to be more careful with your words or you’ll end upworsethan a prisoner.”
Doubtfilled her head listening to the barrage of commentary from the two women across from her.Butwhat did they know?Theyhadchosento come here.Theyhad chosen this path and this test.Andthough she felt their words were in earnest and concern, she strengthened her resolve, remembering she had no room in her heart to care.Herpath forward was a straight one—leading right out of this impenetrable forest and back to her home.
“Yourwords are heard but unnecessary.Iknow whatI’mdoing.”
Silently, they finished their breakfast, andAshpushed aside the emptiness inside her, ignoring once again the sharp pangs that she knew well from being alone.
Chapter7
Karus
“Whatdidyou find in the forest,Karus?”
BaronRevich’svoice was dangerous.Itreached across the desk toward me as if in commandment, as if the choice to answer in truth or deception was not my own.
Itilted my head and took a breath about to speak in falsehood for the second day in a row, butIstilled, air lingering in my expanded lungs.Whois this man and what is his story?Howdid he come to this position of power, and what does he seek so devoutly?
Hisconversation withMoirajust hours before filled my head with more questions, my mind spinning as if it were a dancer in the crescendo of a haunting song, on the edge of misstep or perfection.
Theeyes of this man were pools.Neverin my memory didIsee such intensity and earnest as this.Neverin my memory hadIseen the blackest edge of night creeping into the darkest of waves crashing across the shore.Andnever in my memory didIhave such language to describe them.
Ionce again found myself closer to his desk, and he stood then to meet me across the surface, placing both hands on the knotted wood as he balanced himself toward me.
Iexhaled, the sound of it audible and quick.
“Walkwith me.”Hisvoice was soft as a whisper and quick, just there for the two of us to bear witness.
Hestood straight then, palms leaving the desk along with a line of sweat in the shape of his hands as he quickly walked to the door, opening it wide and gesturing for me to leave the room with him.
Iblinked, clearing my mind from its spinning song and wondered how many times he had spoken to me more than those few words he ever did.
Icould not remember such a time.
Nonetheless,Ifound my boots striding quickly to the door, searching for any sign ofMoiraorPompeii.Thisseemed like a secret, this request of his.Iremembered whatMoirahad said.Shetold himIwasn’t ready.Readyfor what,Icould not produce an answer, butIwas too curious to ever let my reluctance around him stop me from this rebellious action.
Inoticed him searching too, looking for someone in particular,Ididn’t know, but the foyer was empty.
Helifted his hand as if to guide my back toward the massive front doors, but it hovered there awkwardly instead, my body tense at the presumption of his touch.
“Quickly,” he stated and effortlessly opened one of the front doors as if it were made of tin instead of fortified with iron.
