Feudlings Read Online Free Page B

heard a low, agonized moan and stumbled back to the Duke’s side, ducking in terror as lightning smashed into the manor a breath away, sending sparks shooting through the air. “They’re gone, Ada. They’re all gone. They… they were… trapped inside,” her father whispered.
    In horror, Ada’s eyes swept back to the house, but there was nothing left. No one could have survived that. It was a massive inferno, so hot that even through the hellish storm the heat singed her eyelashes.
    Her heart hardened in her chest, and when she leaned close to her father’s ear to be heard over the storm, her voice was icy and flat and terrifying. “I’ll find him, Father. I’ll destroy everything he has. He will pay for this.”
    Her father’s grip was surprisingly strong as he grabbed her arm, and his gaze darkened until no sign of hopelessness remained. “Then you’ll need help. We will summon the Edrens.”
    Edrens. Red Flame throwers. Sorcerers. Her family.
    Before she even realized she was awake, Ari could feel pain — horrible throbbing throughout her head that made her nauseous, and aching, burning pain in her shoulder and ribs. “Ugh,” she groaned. Tentatively, she opened her eyes. The room was dim and blurry. It took her a second to realize that it was her vision that was blurry, but the room was dim because the curtains had been drawn.
    The dream again. Of course she had the dream again. Why wouldn’t she? It seemed like she was having that same dream every time she even though about sleeping. Ada Aleshire was her ancestor, and the Edren responsible for starting the war, although the Carules were mostly to blame. At least they were according to any Edren.
    A shadow moved at the corner of her vision and Ari pushed herself up, untangling her hands from the blanket. Bad move . The whole room spun and Ari fought to keep from throwing up or losing consciousness. The shadow moved through the room without a sound, closer and closer. Ari winced in pain when she moved her head, and inwardly cursed the fact that she couldn’t see clearly, and then winced again when she raised her arm to draw a protective spell around herself. Nausea washed over her and she fought to keep it down as the room spiraled around her. Blacking out now would mean death.
    “What on earth are you doing? Are you insane?” a woman’s deep voice bellowed from the shadows. Startled, Ari froze in confusion. “You’ve had a nasty fall. You need to lie still or I’ll have to take you in.” The woman moved into the dim light. She was tall, although probably not as tall as Ari, with long black hair just streaking with gray at the temples. Large brown eyes glared at Ari through wire-rim glasses.
    “In?” Ari asked, totally lost.
    “To the hospital,” the woman said matter-of-factly, flipping on a lamp next to the bed and pulling a stethoscope from around her neck. Ari closed her eyes against the light, since she had learned mere moments ago that wincing hurt. A lot.
    “I've got some pain killers here that will help your head.” The woman was a tad more sympathetic, prying open one of Ari’s eyelids and shining a light into it. Ari sucked in a breath. “Sorry,” the woman said, although she didn’t sound apologetic at all. “You have a concussion, but it isn’t too severe.”
    Finally, understanding dawned and Ari groaned. “You’re the school nurse.” She collapsed back against the pillows.
    “Well, yes. Who did you think I was, the boogeyman?”
    Ari almost smiled. “Something like that.”
    The nurse chuckled. “I’m Ms. Neemer. Shane brought you here a few minutes ago. You were knocked off a ladder, but they’re still discussing whose fault that is. Not yours, if that’s any consolation.”
    Ari slowly opened an eye and attempted to peer up at Ms. Neemer. “Shane?”
    Ms. Neemer raised an eyebrow in surprise as her hands moved over Ari’s shoulder, looking for injuries. “I thought every girl in this school knew who Shane