Haze of Dusk (A trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

sensitivity I hold inside breaks me down.  I clean the corner of my eyes before demonstrating my hurting. “I don’t know, Judyala. They probably figured out if he has a healer maybe he won’t die, or they will use him to hand combat instead of using magic. I don’t know their reasons but, if he has been chosen…” he takes a deep breath and bows down his head.
    “There is nothing you can do. ”
    “ Then, I’ll run away!” I snap.
    “And do what, hide? They will find you, and then they will kill you and your entire family for running aw ay. This is the law, Judyala. You have no choice but to accept it. Your brother will have to go. He will have to join the war,” he raises his voice. I can’t believe he’s giving up on me. He always fights to protect us, is there really not an option? “Then, I’ll say the truth. I’m stronger, I can fight. If they know I have the power to heal and to use sorcery, they’ll pick me.”
    “And off with my he ad it will be. I convinced them you were incompetent within magic. Me and many alliances here will die for lying about you.” He says strictly. I sniff with both my hands on my face. I cannot bare it. My asthmatic little brother is sentenced to join the war when he turns fifteen, which is in four days.
    “There must be a way. I will do anything…anything….” I declare vociferously.
    “Anything!” A sharp female voice says. A woman appears behind us. It is Vaniele, a surrogate instructor in our district. She’s a priestess in healing, a potion maker, and some say a seer. Rumors say she attends Doomsvell war castle, and is admired and respected, yet, still she visits her pitiable home town, Duolic.
    “This does not concern you, Gemma,” he growls at her. She’s his rival. I don’t know her well because I’ve never taken any of her classes, but I heard she betrayed him years ago, and he never trusted her again. Nobody knows what made them enemies, and if my head wasn’t on my brother I would’ve investigated, but my pain and interest in how to help my brother is greater. She chuckles. Her snow-white hair is curl up to her cheeks, her large eyes bright blue. Although a woman near her sixty, she has a great face and body. She wears a white gown that is faultless—her stare wily yet mysterious. “You say you will do anything, well I have an idea.” She speaks puzzlingly. “Leave I say!” He stomps his staff.
    “No! Tell me, what’s your idea?” It disappoints Srogeri I want to hear what the woman he hates with a passion has to say. But for my brother, anything. “Take his place,” I wrinkle my face. I have lost all hope. “We already thought of that…it’s not going to happen.” I say unhappily, feeling dissatisfied by her suggestion.  By no means am I going to risk Srogeri’s life by telling my truth, he too means a lot to me.
    “ I mean really…steal his face. Do you think I do not know? Dear, I know everything. You are a sorcerer, and you are capable of turning into him. Take his identity, and take his place. Become your brother.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
    -2-
    Converting
     
    “Enough! Leave this department now!” he commands, his staff abruptly glows with a dark energy that picks up all the hair in my skin. The anger he feels towards her is apparent. It’s almost hate. “I’m not afraid of you,” she taunts him, as if she knows he won’t lift his staff to hurt her, but that moment I question his patience.
    “All I can say is—it is time she faces her truth. You have tried and tried to avoid it for so many years, but ultimately, it will happen…and she… will find out," she speaks in riddles. I lift my brows. “What do you mean I will find out? What are you talking about?” I say feeling awfully uncomfortable . These are the times I wish I was telepathic. “She has no idea what she speaks of.” Srogeri says glaring into her eyes. She chuckles. They understand each other perfectly, it’s me who’s wondering what my reality