Death of a Darklord by Laurell K. Hamilton Read Free Book Online Page A

were already trying to use magic on members of the household?” ”You can read my thoughts again.”
    ”I told you, strong emotions make it easier.”
    Konrad and Blaine were frowning from one to the other. ”What are you two talking about?” Blaine asked.

    Gersalius smiled. ”If Master Ambrose will allow me to stay here, even in the little hut, I will do so. For such a student, I would leave my own snug home even in this snow.”
    ”I’ll speak with Tereza,” Konrad said. ”If anyone can convince Jonathan to say yes, it will be her.”
    ”Do you think he will say yes?” Elaine asked. She leaned toward him, wanting to touch his folded hands, to touch his bare skin, and have it thrill him as it thrilled her.
    Gersalius tapped her hand again. He shook his head ever so slightly. Elaine frowned at him. ”I wasn’t...”
    ”Untrained magic has a tendency to reach out for things desired,” he said, so soft that perhaps no one else heard. Heat crept up her neck to her face. She found herself blushing furiously, angry that her emotions were so obvious. She glanced up at Konrad, but he seemed merely puzzled. ”Why is the magic coming now? Why not before?”
    ”It has been leaking round the edges for some time. I am here now and can tell you when it’s happening, and what the power is trying to do. But it has been manifesting for some time.”
    Elaine thought about that—Wild magic floating around her body, reaching for what she desired. ”Am I dangerous?”
    ”Mostly to yourself, right now. But that will change, Elaine. With or without training, that will change.”
    Fear chased over her skin like an icy wave. ”I can’t risk the people I care about, if Jonathan will not let you remain here, I will have to leave.” ”And I’ll go with you,” Blaine said.
    ”No, Blaine, we can’t both leave.”
    He had that stubborn set to his chin. ”I won’t let you go alone. You know that.” ”No one is going anywhere,” Konrad said. ”I’ll find Tereza. If you can wait until we get this settled, Master Gersalius?”
    The mage bowed his head. ”Gladly, if I can have some more of those excellent cookies.”
    Mala came forward with a newly filled plate. ”We’ll not lose our Elaine for Jonathan’s stubbornness.”
    ”No,” Konrad said, ”we won’t.” He turned and left the room in search of Tereza. ”I’d best go with him.
    You know Tereza has a hard time saying no to me.” Blaine left with a grin and a wave, all confidence, at least on the outside. Mala was stirring the big pot on the stove.
    ”Konrad would do it for any of us, wouldn’t he?” Elaine asked softly.”
    ”I fear so,” Gersalius said.
    ”I’ll be able to read his true feelings someday?” The wizard’s eyes held sadness, as if of some old, remembered pain. ”In very short order, I’m afraid.”
    ”Did you read his thoughts?”
    ”No, child, that is unethical unless it is another mage. If the person cannot read your own thoughts, then it is unfair, like reading a person’s private letters.”
    ”You don’t think I’ll like what I find, do you?” ”Truth between us from the very first, Elaine Claim. No, I don’t think you’ll like it.”
    Elaine looked away from his kind eyes. The fire glistened in unshed tears until the room danced in orange shadow. She closed her eyes, and a single tear trailed down each cheek. There were more pitfalls to learning magic than she had thought. She would learn how to read thoughts and feelings, and no matter how Gersalius cautioned her, Elaine knew someday she would read Konrad. She would not be able to resist. There would be no more guessing, no more hope, or fear, just the truth. And her heart would break, just like that.

    « ^ »
    FIVE

    Jonathan Ambrose sat alone in his study. His window looked down into the inner courtyard of the fort.
    He could see the shed that the mage had been given. Strange lights danced over the snow, spilling from the shed’s windows and open door. Dust flew