Page 4 of A Conduit of Light
Thatwas always his first question, but hardly much of one.
Hegave me a small grin asIclosed the door to his study where he stood at his massive oak desk, sorting through papers, flipping open books, and jotting down notes.
Iobserved the top of his head as he bent, black hair pulled back and tied at the nape of his neck in a green silk ribbon that complimented his warm, sandy skin.
Heglanced up at me whenIfailed to answer, his black eyes boring into mine.
“Iam well, thank you.”
Hestood to his full height, barely taller than me, but for a woman,Iwas quite tall myself.Hewas toned, though his vest was sagging slightly, too large for his medium frame.Iwondered why he didn’t just have it taken in by the seamstress.
“Tellme about your day,Karus,” he mumbled, continuing his sorting of papers and books.
“MoiraandIwalked through the forest,”Istated as usual, but felt the urge today to continue. “Itis anew with life from the spring sun.Theleaves of the trees waved to us in the breeze and the crocus are blooming in fields of purple and white.Youshould really go and see—”
IrealizedIhad moved away from the heavy wooden door frame more thanIusually did during our short meetings.Myboots were silent on the woven floral rug, and my voice halted asIwondered whyIhad stepped so far into the room.
Mypresence startled him when he realized how closeIwas, and he quickly dropped his papers and quill next to the ink pot.Hisfeatures this close were handsome, but not absurdly so, andIobserved that he couldn’t have been much older than me.Hisjawline clenched and his lips pursed as he gazed at my face.Hiseyes flickered across my figure rapidly, his expression impossible to understand.
Hesank down in his black leather chair and rubbed his mouth as he spoke slowly, carefully.“Andwhat did you find in the forest,Karus?”
Thiswas always his last question before his dismissal.Ialways assumed he was hopingIwould find what he was looking for asIstrolled around the forest.Myhands had been steady by my side, but now itched to hold the stone heavy in my pocket.
“Nothing,Baron.”Irecited my usual reply, this time a lie, “Ifound nothing.”
Hisobsidian eyes narrowed as he watched me trying to steady my breath.Ifelt as ifIstood before him for hours, our eyes locked and bodies still.Wewere two people who spoke every day, yet spoke of nothing.Iwondered in those moments who he was.Iknew little of him except that he brought me here as he brought all the others here, searching and consumed by whatever it was he was looking for.
Fora moment,Iwondered if what he was searching for was the stone that weighted my pocket.Butit couldn’t be, andIalmost laughed out loud at the thought of the mightyBaronRevichsearching for a small stone embedded in a dead tree.
“BaronRevich, the new channelers are waiting.”Wewere interrupted byPompeii, theBaron'sOverseerto theFortress.
TheBaronlet out a deep sigh that filled the room with its weight, and he stood, turning away from me to look out of the glass-paned window, spanning floor to ceiling behind him.Thesunlight was kept out of theFortressas much as possible, but here, in his study, it streamed in without hindrance, catching on his sharp features and furrowed eyes.
“Youmay go,Karus.”
Ibacked away from his desk, hardly able to keep my gaze from his brooding figure.Pompeiigave me a weak smile as he held the door open and gestured toward the dining room.
“Please,Karus, go get something to eat.Youlook a little worn from your wanderings today.”Hesmiled again, the glint of it never reaching his eyes as he quietly stepped back into theBaron’sstudy.
AsIheaded toward the dining hall, stomach growling for more than just one biscuit,Isaw the new channelers in the entryway, huddled together, green formal clothing enveloping them, their faces nervous and weary.Theywould be here fresh from their homes after theirOfferings, ready to train as conduits.Theysaw me pass andIgave a quick smile and wave.
Ihurried on to the dining hall to fill my plate and rushed upstairs to my room in the tallest tower.Moirawould keep me company this night and fill my head with sunshine beforeIdrifted off into the quiet stillness of slumber.
Chapter3
Ash
Thefirst thingAshnoticed was the contrast.Itwas a juxtaposition to have such a dark, dimly lit fortress stuck right in the middle of a blooming forest full of life.Though, a few tangles of greenery seemed to creep closer as she climbed the dark, moss-covered steps, her ridiculous black and pine dress snagging behind her.
Shetook her sweet time climbing the stairs, too.Afterall, ifBaronHeimlenexpected her full compliance, he wasn’t going to get it.
Thelooming iron-leaded doors were pulled open by a middle-aged man in an emerald servant’s uniform.Hishoney eyes were lined in black kohl and his brass buttons gleamed in the candlelight provided by the massive chandelier hanging in the foyer.
“Welcome, channelers.Pleasestep inside and we will get you seated for dinner.”
Shestudied the two young women beside her.Theywere already at the base of the steps when she had stepped out of her portal.Theycouldn’t have been much older thanAsh’stwenty years.Theywere shivering together, not surprisingly so, considering the lack of cover from the dresses they wore.Onewore a shimmering emerald gown with thin sleeves hanging off her delicate shoulders.Theother was draped in a tulle dress the color of the sea when it foams on the shore, her muscular arms showing through the sheer drapery.Theireyes were bright with curiosity and nervousness as they surveyed the foyer and its expansive ceiling.
TheFortresssurprised her.Itwas completely black, not only the facade but inside as well, its walls just as dark and dreary.Eventhe wood was some of the darkest she’d ever seen.Asshe gazed about the tapestry covered hall, she found herself in the middle of it, admiring a vase of purple crocus on a dark wood table.
