Sea of Sighs (Empath Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

hastily, “that I just know it’s you.”
    Maertn nodded thoughtfully, happy with her
explanation. They both knew that early on Quinn had had no control
over her powers, and whilst Maertn had been embarrassed that she’d
known what he was feeling, and angry that she hadn’t told him the
truth about herself, he had had had the last laugh when Quinn had
thought he was in love with her. Maertn had always considered Quinn
to be a sister, never showing anything remotely like a romantic
interest in her.
    Quinn took a deep breath, and relaxed her
hold on her power. There was nothing, at first. She didn’t direct
it at Maertn, so unlike her younger days, she couldn’t sense what
he was feeling. She channelled herself in the direction of the
horizon, to the point where Maertn had said someone might be
following them. At first, there was nothing, just the blank canvas
of the rolling landscape. Then, as Quinn felt herself becoming
dizzy through exertion, knowing she was pushing herself to the very
edges of her capabilities, she felt it. There was someone
there, following them. Quinn knew this, because she could sense the
single-minded determination. Any lesser concentration, or wayward
mix of emotions, and Quinn was certain that she wouldn’t have felt
anything. This person, though, was determined to catch up to them.
Quinn tried to find malice behind the intention. There was none,
but she didn’t know if this was simply because the person was too
far away. Like Maertn, though, she knew that person. She had sensed
the same soul enough times to be able to tell who it was, without
even needing to lay her eyes on them. Quinn gulped. This was not
going to be good.

4
     
    Eden stretched out, and
was shocked into alert wakefulness when his roaming arm found
nothing and he realised Quinn wasn’t in the bed any more.
    “She can’t have. She didn’t.” Eden muttered
angrily, hurling himself out of the bed and scrambling around for
his trousers. The room was warm despite the brazier being empty and
cold, and he didn’t bother looking for a shirt before dashing
across the corridor to Maertn’s rooms. Eden knew before booting the
door open that Quinn wouldn’t be in there. The door was slightly
ajar, and Maertn never left his door open, whether he was in the
room or not. Still, Eden had to see for himself. The bed was
stripped. He threw the lid off the dresser chest with a snarl. It
was empty. Eden whirled around, looking for any scrap of hope that
Maertn hadn’t left. Because if Maertn was gone, Quinn would be gone
too. That she would leave without him…his heart began to pump, his
breath coming hard as he tried to control his anger. She had
promised him. Of course she had. Anything to take you off
guard .
    Eden shook his head, trying to clear his
thoughts. This wasn’t about him. It was about Quinn. A glance out
of Maertn’s windows showed him the sun was already well up. Vance
had made it clear to Quinn, that she was not welcome in the city.
Quinn had no choice. Trial, over exile? Certain death over a new
life?
    Eden had wanted to be a part of that life,
though. He had thought Quinn loved him, like he loved her. Quinn
had told him that his father needed him, but Eden didn’t think that
was true. Shiver had betrayed Sevenspells and Everfell by his
alliance with Sammah, and the man was going to get everything he
deserved. Frustrated, pacing the room and running his fingers
through his bedraggled hair, Eden began to rationalise. No, he
couldn’t have gone with Quinn. He was an heir of Sevenspells, and
with power now passing to Rowan, Eden was suddenly higher in the
line of succession than anyone had anticipated. His brother would
have to authorise his absence, and whilst he didn’t think Rowan
could care less, they would also need Vance’s say-so. With their
father standing trial for treason, Eden didn’t think that any of
the Sevenspells retinue would be allowed out of the castle, let
alone the city. He wouldn’t be