The End of the Fantasy (Book #6 of the Sage Saga) Read Online Free Page A

she looked around her and saw just how desolate the area was. There were broken houses barely visible under the large mounds of snow. The snow in the courtyard was up to their ankles, and the air was so still that it was as if nothing was alive for miles.
    She looked back to Marie as they all waited for the Prattlian’s answer. It was why she was recruited after all. To be an advisor. Catherine cast her eyes to her feet as she realized that she wasn’t using Marie enough. What was the point of having counsel if you never got their advice?
    “This is the land of my people,” Marie said, projecting her voice enough for all of them to hear. “So I know about the secrets this land holds. There should be a storehouse in a tunnel under the rubble to my left. It will take a lot of digging though. And even then, it may have already been raided. The Quietus had been here for a while. Also, it would only be temporary relief. The produce would have rotted by now, but some of the meat might be okay as long as it was frozen enough. After we eat, we should have a hunting party get started right away so that we aren’t in a position in which we have nothing. The hunting party can also scout the areas and keep an eye out for the natural habitats of the local wildlife and see how close they are to us. If we find enough sustainable resources, then we can stay. Otherwise, I strongly advise that we leave.”
    She said the last sentence to Catherine.
    Catherine nodded and looked at each of them one by one for further suggestions. She received none.
    “Sounds good to me,” she said finally. “Talia, you and Sway go on the scouting party, after we all eat of course. The rest of us will stay here and see what other things we can salvage.”
    Catherine glanced out of the corner of her eye at Marie and the Prattlian nodded.
    “Alright then,” Catherine said with a grin. “Let’s try to make this place home.”
     
    *              *              *
     
    “I’m still hungry,” Lily whispered in Bastion’s ear and he couldn’t help but laugh. She drove him so crazy. He stretched his arms over his head as Lily laid on her back and yawned. When had they fallen asleep? Bastion sucked his teeth in disbelief. “Oh, calm down. All we did was make out.”
    “Make out?”
    “Yeah. Um, it’s like…excessive kissing…I guess?”
    “Why are you telling me to calm down? I’m tired,” she stopped to yawn. “You calm down. We didn’t do anything.”
    “What do you mean?” Bastion asked, sitting up to attention.
    “I’m hungry,” Lily said, rubbing her stomach as she changed the subject.
    “Hey, you should tell me. I’m curious what else we could have done that’s—oh, that.” Lily laughed and shook her head.
    “Don’t get your hopes up,” she said. “I like you. But I’m not ready to start a life with you or anything.”
    “And why’s that?” he asked. He then decided to alter his line of questioning once he saw her eyebrow raise in the morning sunlight. “I mean, I’m just curious as to why. I’m not asking for that or anything.”
    “Because we don’t know each other.”
    “Right,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He felt like he had made the situation awkward.
    “So…food?” she said.
    “Do you even eat?” he asked, then he covered his mouth with both hands. Lily scowled at him.
    “Excuse me?”
    “Never mind.”
    “No, I want to hear what you said again.”
    “I’m not going to say it.”
    “How dare you say something like that to me?” she said. Bastion sighed. Why was she so beautiful, even when she was upset? Her face is all scrunched up and she’s obviously mad, but all I can think about is how cute her nose is, or her lips, those—
    “Are you listening to me?” she shouted, and this time, he nearly fell off the branches.
    “Alright, I’m sorry,” he said, reaching out and grabbing both of her forearms. He stared into her watery eyes. “I’m sorry. I am. I