Forged in Ice Read Online Free Page B

series of emotions crossed her face. I wondered if she felt things more strongly because she was the Essence, and I found I cared far more than I would have thought. There was something about Charlotte that made her impossible not to like. I hoped that was a real and genuine feeling and not something supernatural.

4
    James
    “ A re you ready to tell us what you wanted to talk about?” Although I had grown to respect Liam far more than I had originally, I still did not talk to him quite as respectfully as I probably should have. For his part, he appeared unconcerned.
    “What happened at the Calloway house wasn’t isolated.”
    “Did you ever think it was?” No one would break in to a house belonging to the ruling family unless it was imperative.
    “No, but I thought maybe it was for a single piece of information. Something left behind.”
    “But now you think it is something more?” Henry asked.
    “I know it is.”
    “What have you learned?”
    “First things first, what did you learn?” He turned to me. “You still owe me a briefing from your trip.”
    “There is movement up in Icentris.” I chose my words carefully, but shared as much as I could. “Men touched with darkness have been spotted. They are building another gate.”
    “A gate?” Liam watched me with interest. “Leading to where?”
    “To the lost world.” Calling it his world might have come off as insulting.
    “Is that really how you refer to it still?” He leaned back against one of the tall stone walls.
    “How else should I refer to it? Surely not home.” I did not mind the place as much now. Finding Ainsley there had changed my view.
    His face darkened. “That’s not what I meant.”
    “What we call it has no consequence. My father’s followers are building a gate in his name. That is the important part in all this.”
    “Why would they want to go there?” Henry fidgeted with the sheath holding his sword. “There’s nothing there for them now that Charlotte is back.”
    “There has to be a reason.” I thought over my father’s words about building a kingdom. There had to be a reason why he was choosing the lost world.
    “Did you see the gate with your own eyes?” Liam straightened up. “Or is this hearsay?”
    “Heard it from Talen.” Normally I would have checked it out myself, but I had been in a hurry to get back to Ainsley.
    “Then how do you know it’s true?”
    I averted his question. “Talen saw Emma and Stan. Do you know if they were heading up that way?”
    “They didn’t say where they were going.”
    “Really? They withheld that information from the Gerard?”
    “I don’t question my in-laws’ every move.” It was humorous hearing Liam refer to the former Essence and her husband as in-laws.
    “I need to talk to them about it.”
    “Then why didn’t you follow their trail? You’re supposed to be good at that.”
    “I had to get back here to report in.”
    “To report in?” Liam raised an eyebrow. “You mean to see Ainsley.”
    “That too.”
    Liam laughed. “You can’t admit it?”
    “Admit what?” I looked up at the bright sun in the sky. It was going to be a beautiful day. Too bad Ainsley and I could not enjoy it together.
    “You missed her.”
    “Missing her or not, I can do my job.” And I would. I would stay focused and protect her at the same time.
    “Then you have permission to follow now.”
    I shook my head. “Not a chance.” I could not leave Ainsley. If my dad was right about the poison, I could not be gone for long.
    “And that reason is not Ainsley?” Henry narrowed his eyes.
    “I promised her I would not leave her. I am a man of my word.”
    “She’s safe here. You know that.” Liam took a few steps toward me.
    “But that does not mean she feels safe.” She was comfortable, but Liam did not need to know that.
    “You’re hiding something.” Liam crossed his arms. “What are you hiding?”
    “Nothing. I briefed you. Now tell you what you learned.” I