Griffin's Shadow by Leslie Ann Moore Read Free Book Online Page A

have stolen that ring, or found it in a field somewhere. A marchland farm boy’s by-blow… Now that I could believe!” Misune laughed at her husband’s cruel words, her golden, lioness eyes flashing with mean-spirited amusement.
    “Shut up, Sadaiyo!” Ashinji growled, rising halfway from his seat, hands knotted into fists. Jelena reached out to restrain him.
    “What’s wrong, Little Brother? Can’t stand to hear the truth about your precious little mongrel?” Sadaiyo retorted, rising to his feet in anticipation.
    “That’s enough!” Amara cried. Before anyone could react, she sprang from the couch and launched herself at her eldest son. Planting her hands against his chest, she shoved Sadaiyo hard. He fell backward into Misune’s arms where he lay, staring up in shock at his mother’s face. Amara stood over him, rigid with fury. “Sadaiyo, you have no idea who and what this girl is, none at all!” She spat her words like slingshot bullets.
    Sadaiyo flinched as if struck, and all the color drained from his face. He swallowed hard and bowed his head. Misune wisely followed suit. Jelena had never seen Amara so angry nor Sadaiyo so cowed, and she found the vehemence of her mother-in-law’s outburst disturbing.
    What does she mean, who…and what…I am? Is she talking about my father…or something else?
    “You will never again speak to Jelena in so disrespectful a manner. Need I remind you that you insult your father and me each time you insult her? She is our daughter-in-law now, and we were the ones who gave our consent to her joining our family.”
    “Please forgive me, Mother,” Sadaiyo murmured, his proud head still bent in submission.
    “Don’t ask me for forgiveness. I’m not the one to give it to you!” Amara retorted. Sadaiyo opened his mouth as if to reply, then apparently thought better of it and remained silent.
    “Your mother is right.” Sen spoke up, his own voice razor sharp. “Like it or not, you are all family, my family, and by the One, you will behave like it! Things are going to be very different soon, you mark my words!”
    No one moved or spoke for several heartbeats.
    Sen finally broke the tense silence.
    “We’re all tired and filthy from the road, but that can’t be helped. The king has commanded my presence, so I must go. You two, c’mon.” He jabbed an index finger at Sadaiyo and Ashinji, then gestured toward the door.
    With a soft “I love you” whispered into her ear, Ashinji kissed Jelena on the lips and followed his father and brother out of the apartment. Without saying a word, Misune fled up the stairs, leaving Jelena and Amara alone in the sitting room.
    Jelena’s mind whirled with unvoiced questions.
    You have no idea who and what this girl is…
    “Mother, what did you mean…what you said to Sadaiyo just now?” she asked.
    Amara returned to the couch and settled down with a weary sigh. She patted the cushion next to her. “Come sit by me, child,” she commanded. She held out her hands so Jelena could see the intricate designs tattooed on both palms. “These designs are not meant as mere ornamentation,” she explained.
    Jelena nodded in understanding. “I always thought they must have some higher meaning.”
    “For those with the knowledge to read them, they are sigils—magical symbols.”
    “Of what, Mother?”
    Amara stared at her hands for a moment before folding them in her lap. “Jelena, I’ve a confession to make. It concerns your blue fire. When you first came to me for help, I told you I was unsure of its exact nature, but in truth, I’ve known all along what it is.”
    Jelena had always suspected Amara knew more about the mysterious and frightening blue energy than she admitted to, but to hear her mother-in-law confirm her suspicion still disturbed her. The look of firm resolve mingled with profound sadness on Amara’s face disturbed her even more.
    “I had to keep the full truth from you until now, Jelena, because I did not want to