Of Noble Chains (The Ventori Fables) Read Online Free Page B

of paper onto the table.
    “Experience?” Zia stammered.  “Does anyone have experience?”
    “Do you, or do you not have any experience in Tracking, Ms. Noble?”
    “Not exactly experience —“
    Ms. Madsen’s hand shot to the side and grabbed a stamp, slamming it down on the paper.  Zia flinched again as the noise echoed about in the room.
    “We cannot, in good conscience, allow a novice into our program,” Ms. Madsen said, a cruel smirk on her face.  “Maybe when you gain some real world knowledge you can reapply.”
    Zia’s eyebrows rose.  She had been in here for less than five minutes and she was already being rejected?  She jumped from her chair, fury running through her veins.
    “You think just because I’m half human that I shouldn’t be allowed into the program?  What?  Am I less than you because only half my bloodline is in the Medea clan?  Or—“
    “Medea clan?” Dr. Ivy finally perked up.  “You are Medean?”
    “Um…yes sir,” Zia quieted down for him.  Maybe she still had a chance?  There was a strange sound of hope in his voice after he had heard the word “Medea”.
    “You are Kehzia of the Medea clan…” Dr. Ivy tapped a large finger against his mustache before turning to Father Killian.  They exchanged whispers before facing Zia again, completely excluding Ms. Madsen.
    “We will allow you into the Tracker program,” Dr. Ivy began, lifting Zia’s heart higher than when she first laid eyes on Aeryn, “if you can gain some experience with a certified Ventori.”
    “What?  Like a co-op sort of thing?” Zia asked.  She had tried to do a co-op with a Ventori in high school and it didn’t go well.  Tracker’s weren’t known for being the most friendly or trusting of people; it’s almost impossible to find one willing to work with another person that isn’t family.
    “We will give you a week to find a Tracker willing to teach you,” Father Killian said, black sleeves leaning forward on the table, “and if you spend the summer working with them, we will allow you into the program.”
    “Okay,” Zia declared, “I can do that.”
    “I think that’s agreeable, don’t you Ms. Madsen?” Father Killian looked over to his compatriot, giving her the same smirk she had given Zia.
    Ms. Madsen didn’t give him any notice.  “Understand, Ms. Noble, that should you fail to find a Ventori, or fail at receiving any knowledge we will terminate your pending acceptance.”
    “Understood,” Zia chirped, “thank you.”
    Father Killian turned to the man at the window.  “Do you have any questions for her, Aeryn?”
    “Nope,” Aeryn left his ledge and came forward a few steps, “but I do have something to say.”
    “I thought you might.”
    “Since Ventori are so hard to come by these days, I’ll be her certified trainer.  A…mentor so to speak.”  Aeryn took one more step towards Zia and slapped his arm over her shoulder, pulling her close.
    “Really?” Zia asked, unable to hide her excitement as her voice raised an octave.  This man wasn’t her ideal person, but he wasn’t hard to look at and he was willing to help her.  Who was she to deny help?
    “Of course,” Aeryn said, “I owe someone a favour, and this is the only way I can think to repay it.”
    Zia didn’t bother to ask what he meant and instead relished the expression on Ms. Madsen’s face.
    “You may terminate her pending acceptance at any time over the summer should you feel the need,” Dr. Ivy said, finger still tapping against his face.  “But do try to teach her well, Mr. Rinehart.”
    “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Aeryn started pushing Zia towards the door.  “Let’s get started then.”
    He opened the door and shoved Zia outside once she shouted another “thank you” to the Board members.  When they were in the hallway, under the bright fluorescent lighting she looked up into his grey eyes.
    “Rinehart?” Zia questioned.
    “Yup.”
    “You’re Aeryn