Breaking Stars (Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

he said a final farewell. The hall was quiet but for a gaggle of four Arconians sitting in the window seat. They all fell silent when Gabriel stepped out. Mikelle took up his arm and clutched him tightly, but not just to make him appear to be hers. The weakness had returned.
    Since she was a teen she had experienced bouts of weakness that grew steadily and more frequent, often mixed with pain. She had to rely on the strength of others to keep her on her feet. No one knew the truth, for she hid it too well, but she was far weaker on the inside than the out. She hid the pain with a sly smile and spent more time sitting than standing, rolling with the fatigue and pain. Spirit Mages had looked at her many times, but all they could discover were the unusual small size of her kidneys.
    She clutched his arm tighter and felt him lift her a little. If he suspected anything, he kept it to himself, keeping his eyes ahead and focused on the hall. Because she had no options, no chance of change, she battled through the symptoms and stayed on her feet. She would walk the hall with him, then return to her room without help and sit down. ‘A little fresh air in the window would help.’
    They came to the end of the hall, and she gave his arm a squeeze. “Nolen will send a girl tonight. We will try and cut her off before she arrives, once we learn who it is.”
    He nodded and slipped his arm from her grasp. His smile was thin and pinched, a look she understood as a resignation to his fate. She kept hold of his arm for more reasons than one.
    “Fight them,” she whispered. “Please do not give in.”
    “I’m trying,” he replied quietly, but his face said it was only a matter of time before his hope left him. She squeezed his arm again before letting go.

 
     
    Chapter 2
    The Mage’s dejected look pleased Nolen more than he let himself believe. He spied the Mage across Nuneel’s Grand Hall where the floors were open and railed revealing the levels below in imitation of Castle Jaden’s Lodge. The Mage was a floor below and had not seen him, so Nolen rushed to cut him off at the nearest staircase. A few people greeted Nolen, but more greeted the Mage, pausing to speak about the broken star and congratulate him. He spoke cordially and assured he had nothing to do with it, but when they turned away the same despairing look came upon his face. Even the slump of his shoulders and downturn of his head said he was nearly beaten.
    Nearly.
    Nolen strode on ahead quickly and took the stairs swiftly. The padded carpets hid the patter of his boots, so when he reached the floor, he nearly hit the Mage. They met eyes for a moment, but the Mage casted his to the ground. Nolen cuffed him anyway.
    “I will see you in my rooms,” Nolen told him and pointed up the stairs. “We have much to discuss.”
    The Mage did not bother raising a hand to the red slap on his face, instead keeping his hands in his pockets and his eyes down. He took to the stairs and followed Nolen one step behind. Nolen wore the control piece every waking hour, enjoying the coursing energy far more powerful than his own. He was told Spirit Mages were strong enough to feel the energies of people, and sometimes tell their mood, but he could not feel the Mage’s. Instead, he felt his own energy, and it had a certain excitement to it.
    Nolen threw open the door to his rooms and led the Mage to a chair before the warm hearth. As Gabriel leaned back to sit, Nolen grabbed his shoulders from behind and jerked him into the chair, making him verbally wince.
    “Be quiet,” Nolen snapped as the Mage readjusted his position. Nolen leaned forward and put his hands on the back of the chair, bringing his head down to the Mage’s right ear. “Did Axa treat you well?” he asked, his voice just above a whisper. “She tells me things I am inclined to believe.” The Mage remained motionless, staring into the flames, hardly breathing.
    Nolen walked around to face him, wanting to see his