Firebrand by R.M. Prioleau Read Free Book Online Page A

scribbled ten pages. He returned the quill to the inkwell and sat back in his chair, watching the ink dry on his last parchment. His eyes scanned the rest of the room, and he pondered what else to add to his report. He glanced at Rorick who had dozed off, his head resting between the pages of his book.
    Kaijin chuckled and gave his brother a gentle shake. “Come on, Rorick. You can’t expect to learn magic like this.”
    Rorick murmured and stirred. His sleepy eyes cracked open and stared at Kaijin. Frowning, he resumed reading.
    Kaijin’s gaze wandered to the burning pot in the corner. The sight of the blue flame intrigued him, sparking a memory of a similar flame he’d seen years before in the marketplace. Unable to contain his curiosity, Kaijin rose from his chair and approached the pot. Smiling at the flame, he reached out to touch it. He stared deeply into the bright, flickering voids, as though searching for something in its magical veil. He ran his hand along the top of the blaze and watched as it licked between his fingers.
    “Kaijin!” Rorick’s chair creaked as he shifted. “You’re gonna burn yourself! Didn’t Mama and Papa say not to play with fire anymore?”
    Kaijin was too enthralled to heed his brother’s warning. The flame singed his skin, re-opening old and current wounds and creating new ones. Kaijin hissed, immediately retracted his hand, and attempted to nurse away the pain.
    “See? I told you.” Rorick pointed an accusing finger at him.
    The door to the study creaked open, and Jarial poked his head inside. “What’s going on in here? You should be working on your assignments, not talking.” His eyes shifted to the corner of the room, and he scowled. “Kaijin! By the gods! Get away from there!”
    Kaijin spun around upon hearing his master’s barking voice.
    Jarial stormed over to him. He crossed his arms and glowered. “What in the hells were you doing, Kaijin?”
    Kaijin discreetly hid his wounded hand behind his back. He kept silent and cast his eyes downward, attempting to hide the painful expression marring his face.
    “Answer me, Kaijin. Now.”
    Kaijin winced. It wasn’t at Jarial’s tone growing darker, but at the surge of pulsating pain that coursed through his hand. He felt something sticky and warm between his fingers. He was certain it was blood.
    Jarial yanked Kaijin’s hand from behind his back. The burn reached nearly to the muscle with spots of blood and yellowish seeping liquid covering the most severe areas.
    “Playing with fire again?” Jarial narrowed his eyes.
    Jarial gripped his hand exclusively on the injuries, causing greater pain. Kaijin was unable to speak, his body in a state of shock.
    “Come with me.” Jarial grabbed him by the arm. He dragged Kaijin to the kitchen and sat him at the table.
    Kaijin stared at his injury, frowning.
    “How many times are you going to burn yourself?” Jarial said. “Or do you like the way that feels?”
    Kaijin wasn’t sure if the question was rhetorical, but he kept silent, regardless. Part of him found pleasure in the pain the flames wrought, and something about the pain made him feel rejuvenated.
    When Kaijin didn’t respond, Jarial just sat and scrutinized him for a moment. “Tell me what you find so fascinating about fire.” The aggression in his voice was replaced with curiosity.
    Kaijin pondered. There were so many answers to such a simple question. What he truly found fascinating about the element was unexplainable. Kaijin lifted his gaze to the man, offered a small shrug and said, “It’s pretty.”
    Jarial snorted. “Come, now, boy. Don’t play me for a fool. We’ll be here all night, if we must. Spare me no details.”
    Kaijin sighed and inspected his injured fingers, reminiscing on past experiences. “I—I don’t know, Master. There’s something about the fire that—that makes me want to try and touch it. I like the way it looks when it burns... All those colors ... I want to try holding it in