Templar's Destiny (9780545415095) Read Online Free Page B

the sweat that dotted her forehead. My recovery had been fast, but Aine’s was not quite that way. “Gaston, slow up. My ankle is aching a bit. Surely we will make it in time aplenty.”

We reached the inn as the sun sank softly into the pearl gray of coming night. In truth it was no more than a heap of wood squashed among a row of decrepit houses. All about the place was an air of decay. I was worried suddenly for Aine, who had shrunk within the hood of her cloak, and for Gaston, whose mother said he was far too young to be exposed to a place like this.
    â€œWe thank ye for gettin’ us here, Gaston. Home’s a long way off — ye’d best head back now,” I said, feeling guilty. He would have a long night’s walk ahead but I wanted him gone even if he thought he’d not be noticed. Without a word, he turned on his heel, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I was sure he would argue.
    At the door of the inn I hesitated, reaching for the feel of those inside. Five. Beneath my palm the door gave way, and I was immediately overcome by the smell of river, waste, and old drink. The dark inside the inn was like a weight on my eyes, and Aine’s surge of fear clogged my throat.
    Fabienne was right. She should not be here. The faces that turned our way held many shades of threat. Though the power of the land still hung about us, it had thinned during our journey. The men inside eyed our arrival with far too much interest. Quickly, I stumbled forward with Aine nearly on my back and closed the door behind.
    â€œWhat do you want?” The innkeeper was a frightening sight. Tall and wide with a shock of gray hair that was loosely braided, he loomed above us. His beard was matted and a jagged scar stretched from his left ear up to the corner of his drooping bloodshot eye.
    â€œTwo ale,” I said, reaching with leaden fingers for the coin in my sporran. His black eyes traveled over my shoulder as I fumbled. Several coins tumbled onto the counter, and I pushed them toward the man.
    He made no move to fill my order, and I felt Aine’s terror. The man’s eyes were firmly fixed upon her. Quickly, I called the power to me. “Ale. Two,” I said again. This one holds no draw for ye, I whispered. The man wavered and blinked, then poured and passed the drinks.
    We took our seats on a bench in a darkened corner beneath the stairs, blanketing the room in the cloak of a whisper. There is no one new here. Two by two the feel of eyes dropped away, and in the dank recesses of the inn we became nearly invisible.
    Aine fidgeted with her cup, taking small sips and peering from beneath her hood. The nervousness in her was strong and brushed against my mind.
    â€œWhat is it?” I asked.
    â€œMany have met death here,” she whispered. “Some o’ it is new. All o’ it is terrible.”
    â€œGive me yer hands,” I said, reaching for her.
    Aine’s fingers were cold as her visions slid through my mind. I read them quickly, then directed the power away. Pinpricks of light danced before my inner eye. Distance, I commanded. Aine’s visions dimmed, and the violence of the scenes dulled and slipped away.
    â€œBetter?” I asked. Aine’s read of the past sometimes frightened her badly. Once I found that I could dull the intensity, I was determined to help. Aine had saved my life. I would do anything for her.
    â€œAye. But ye should have a care an’ no’ waste the power on me. Ye might need it an’ ye’d be too worn down to use it.”
    â€œI feel fine,” I said. And I did. From the moment the healing had begun within me, the use of the power had become easier, more instinctive than ever before.
    â€œNo more. Ye will pay, Tormod. All use is for a price,” she said. “Ye know that.”
    I shrugged. The thing was, I wasn’t at all sure that the rules applied to me now. The power was different, as was I.
    She said no more as we