By the Magic of Starlight (The Forbidden Realm) Read Online Free Page B

she herself was not? How extraordinarily unfounded.
    It was undeniable, though. Swift had left them alone together and Raea didn’t like it one bit. If she hadn’t reminded herself of the importance of remaining undetected, she would have shoved past him in the corridor and marched herself right into that room, ordering Pimma to wish herself to Antarctica.
    But it was important she remain undetected now, and Swift was her first concern. He was coming her way! What if he walked into her, or noticed her pressed up against the wall as he came by? She held her breath and tried desperately to calm her racing heartbeat.
    She got lucky, though. Instead of walking right into her, Swift stopped at the very door opposite her. She scooted sideways just a bit so the green fairy’s wings didn’t accidentally brush against her and clue him in to her presence. He seemed fully intent on his duty, though, and paid her no mind as he rapped sharply at the door.
    It opened a moment later and she saw Dorn’s assistant appear. Dorn’s voice called from inside.
    “Well? What is he saying?”
    “Not much,” Swift replied, remaining where he was outside the doorway.
    “Well, he’s got to know these charges won’t simply go away. This is a serious accusation, Swift. Who’s been assigned as his advocate?” Dorn asked.
    “Pimma.”
    “Hmm. Yes, good. She’s brand new at this, fresh out of training. Still, keep an eye on her. Keep her in line. We cannot risk Kyne being freed, especially not now.”
    “Sir? What if he’s telling the truth?”
    “You know what’s at stake here! Does it really matter if he is guilty or not?”
    “But, sir, we can’t very well convict an innocent man.”
    “He’s not innocent. Don’t get your wings in a self-righteous buzz, Swift. We all know what sort of fairy he is. Someone’s working with the humans and he’s the most likely suspect we’ve got. He knows something; you just have to find out what it is.”
    Despite the nature of his words, Dorn sounded fully confident. Swift, however, shifted and flicked the tips of his wings in barely stifled agitation.
    “Sir, perhaps we should discuss this. Behind closed doors, perhaps.”
    Dorn dismissed the suggestion. “Bah. Who do you have out there with you?”
    “No one, sir.”
    “Exactly. And there’s nothing more to discuss. Now what busywork do you have that advocate—Pimma, is it?—handling right now?”
    “She’s speaking with Kyne, sir.”
    “What? You left them alone?” Dorn boomed. “By the Clouds and the Sunrise, Swift! Get your wings back there and take her out. Put her on some errand; make her research something or other. The last thing we need is for Kyne to convince his little advocate to help him deny charges. She’ll take up his cause and get him released before morning.”
    “Er, isn’t that what an advocate is supposed to do, sir?”
    “Not this time. We need Kyne here in our custody. We need these charges to stick, so he’ll have no option but to tell us what he knows. Then you’ll see Fairy Law at work, Swift. You’ll see that the ends often do justify the means.”
    “But sir—”
    “Go. Now.”
    Dorn’s order was loud and unmistakable. Raea found herself nearly shaking, whether from fear or from anger she wasn’t quite sure. Most likely both. What on earth was going on here? The way Dorn spoke… well, nothing he said supported Fairy Law as she knew it.
    Swift, too, seemed confused. But he nodded and stepped dutifully back as Dorn’s assistant shut the door in his face. For a moment or two he just stood there, then slowly turned and Raea wondered if he had heard her breathing and suspected something.
    He stared past her, though, fixing his eyes on a spot beyond her. If he’d been conflicted about whether or not to follow Dorn’s order, clearly his sense of responsibility to the council won over. He marched right back to the door at the end of the corridor and pulled it open.
    “Pimma, you’re done for