Oak And Mist (The Ambeth Chronicles Book 1) by Helen Jones Read Free Book Online

scornful. ‘And with… Who did you say – Ellery?’
    She looked at her Nicole as if for assistance but the other girl just shrugged and looked bored. Her black lined eyes lit up for a moment. ‘Oh, do you mean that girl who used to go here? Remember, the pretty one – green eyes.’ Looking at Alma she said flatly, ‘Haven’t seen her in weeks.’
    ‘Wait, used to go here?’ interjected Sara. ‘What the hell are you on about? You were with her on Friday!’
    Nicole just stared back at her. ‘Are you sure? Cos I don’t remember that.’ Then she turned back to Dee and they started up their conversation again. Sara, her mouth open in outrage, looked as though she was about to give them a piece of her mind. Alma grabbed her by the arm.
    ‘C’mon’ she hissed. ‘Forget it. Let’s go.’
    ‘But Alma –‘ protested Sara as she tried to pull away, still glaring at the other girls.
    ‘Let’s go!’ repeated Alma. ‘Talk about it later. Something weird is going on here.’
    ‘Well, obviously,’ said Sara, as Alma dragged her away. ‘Freak,’ she heard Nicole say as they headed to their lockers, Alma’s mind working furiously.
    ‘Who do they think they are, just turning their backs on us like that,’ Sara said heatedly, slamming her locker closed. ‘And,’ she went on, leaning on her locker door as Alma finished getting her books, ‘why don’t they remember Ellery? Now that is weird.’
    But things were about to get even weirder. As the week went on, hardly anyone, it seemed, missed or could even remember Ellery. Alma and Sara couldn’t understand it – she had been the most beautiful girl at school, despite her obvious personality problems. How could she just disappear like that? But try as they might, they couldn’t get anyone they knew to remember her other than vaguely. ‘Oh her,’ a few people said, ‘yeah, I remember her, didn’t she move away?’ Some thought she had left school, while others were unsure she had ever been there at all. Frustrated, both girls eventually gave up. After all, the important thing was that she wasn’t there to bother them any more.
     
    ***
    Six Elders of Light and Dark, the most powerful in Ambeth, stood in a ceremonial circle in the Great Hall. Thorion called them to order, marking each of them with his stern blue gaze before moving to the centre of the circle. He waited a moment before speaking, until he had their complete attention.
    ‘I have called you here on a matter of grave importance to both Dark and Light. The child of the Prophecy has been found.’ He paused to let his words sink in, let their impact be felt.
    Artos spoke first for the Light. He was strong postured despite the silver in his hair, his lined face filled with hope. ‘Do you know this to be true, Thorion? Did you see the child yourself?’
    ‘Yes,’ replied Thorion, his expression jubilant, ‘and I have spoken with her.’
    It was the muscled and armoured Denoris who spoke next. The Dark Lord’s golden hair shone in the light from the windows as he stood with arms folded. ‘So, the child is a girl? When, may I ask, did she make her appearance in Ambeth?’
    His voice was deceptively soft and Thorion was immediately on guard. ‘She came through the Gate yesterday, venturing into the gardens but no further,’ he said, framing his words with care. ‘Caleb has been charged with her safekeeping and so will bring her to us once she returns.’
    ‘Caleb,’ said Lord Denoris, flatly. ‘Ever you favour him with your tasks. Should not some other boy be given the chance to serve you once in a while?’
    Thorion regarded Denoris steadily. ‘You mean, someone like your son? Caleb was available to assist me in this matter. Deryck, as I recollect, was elsewhere.’
    ‘But this is wonderful news! ‘Adara interjected, her soft musical voice ringing like a chime in the vaulted hall. ‘Who is she, Thorion? What is she like?’
    Thorion favoured the Lady of Light with a smile. ‘She is