Earth Bound Read Online Free Page A

slamming the door shut behind him. He stood at the desk, staring at his father’s bent head as he scrawled line after line on an open book.
    When Talon was about to demand his father’s attention, he finally looked up, placing the pen beside the book. “Sit down, Talon.” He gestured towards the chair in front of him.
    Talon continued to stand. “You wanted to see me?”
    “Sit down.” This time the words were a command.
    Talon ignored them. “Will this take long? I’m in the middle of a painting that’s going really well.” The disappointed look his father gave him made him want to take the words back, but he couldn’t.
    Barrett rose to his feet. “It’s well past time I choose a replacement for Farren.”
    Talon nodded slowly. He knew this moment had to come. Farren, his father’s cousin, had died in battle several months ago and should have been replaced well before this. “He will be missed.”
    Barrett slammed his hands against the desk. “I didn’t bring you here for platitudes. I want you to captain his unit under my guidance and continue with your training.”
    “I’m not in the army anymore.” Once he would have begged for the chance to be a unit captain.
    “Don’t give me that rubbish. A two-year-old could paint better than you.”
    He wanted to argue, but every word was true and he was sick of explaining himself. It was impossible to keep his wings retracted all the time. What other excuse could he use for shutting himself away in his room for hours on end, sometimes days? All he could do was meet his father’s glare.
    “Well? When are you going to forget this stupidity and return to the army?” Barrett made a jabbing gesture towards the door. “Or do I offer the position to someone else?”
    He didn’t need to be told who that someone else was. Hands curled into fists and his jaw tightened as he held back the words he wanted to speak.
    “Well?”
    Talon’s words were soft, the anger barely held at bay. “I can’t live without my art.”
    “Then do it as a hobby.” The words were sharp, the stare cutting.
    His father wouldn’t understand and he couldn’t explain. If Barrett knew, he not only risked his livelihood as War Leader of his people, but also his life for letting Talon live. Talon didn’t know what his father would do. Save his son or keep his position by accusing him of having wings.
    “Are you even paying attention to me?”
    “Are you paying attention to me?”
    Barrett pointed a finger at his son. “This is your last chance. You walk out that door,” his finger aimed at the door, “And you are nothing. Do you understand? Nothing. Your art can’t do for you what this position can.”
    Talon could only nod. More than anything else he wanted to captain his own unit. To be trained by his father, in the hope of becoming the next War Leader of Terst.
    “Well?”
    “Without my art, I can’t live.” He turned away, staring at the door several steps away, unable to move.
    “Send Bellamy in.”
    His eyes closed at the pain those words caused. Then he realised it was physical pain. Even after taking the time to stretch his wings, they wanted to break free. He hurried forward, the pain increasing as he flung open the door. Leaving the door open, he strode towards his room, not bothering to pass on the message.
    He hadn’t needed to. Behind him he heard his father roar Bellamy’s name and he broke into a run. That was his place. Bellamy was stealing his position, stealing everything he’d always wanted.
    Reaching his room, Talon flung his door open, stepping out of the way as it crashed closed. Locking the door, he tore his shirt from his body, flinging it and the bandages to the ground as he sank to his knees. He fell forward, his hands colliding with the stone floor as black wings rose up around him. A sound drew his head up, his teeth clenched tight as he fought against the pain. His fifteen-year-old sister stood beside the window, mouth open, shock in her brown