The Iron-Jawed Boy and the Hand of the Moon (Book 2, Sky Guardian Chronicles) by Nikolas Lee Read Free Book Online

They’re new to this.”
    She stared into Othum’s gray eyes with her blue ones. “Very well. You may stand.”
    “Guardians,” said Othum, “this is Lady Borea, our Lady of the Frost—the only Old God alive today. She abdicated her Throne to me long ago, but has agreed to serve as a High Illyrian in Illindria’s stead.”
    Ion clasped the emerald of his necklace, Illindria’s prison. Even hearing her name made his jaw burn.
    Lady Borea studied each and every Guardian until she reached Father. “He looks awfully old to be a Guardian, does he not?”
    “That’s because he’s not a Guardian,” said Othum. The Skylord patted Father proudly on the back and continued, “He’s the father of two of our Guardians: Oceanus and Ion, here.”
    Lady Borea pursed her lips in a very displeased sort of way. “ Ah ...the Caller.”
    She looked down at Ion, her gaze piercing, and grabbed hold of his jaw. She twisted his head left, right, then tilted it back.
    “You must be the son of Vinya I’ve heard so much about,” she said, releasing her grip.
    “I-I am,” Ion replied. Well, one-third son .
    “Such an intriguing piece of metal you have there,” she said. “But another topic for another time, I think.”
    She looked back up at Father. “Listen here. I have nothing against Callers such as yourself, especially ones who birth our Guardians. But after the draft, your kind now has a reason to scheme against us, so I’m afraid you cannot stay in the Hall, listening in on our plans. Your children are only exempt because of their Guardian status.”
    Othum was quick to take hold of the conversation, turning to Father and saying, “Atrius, there should be a few elves—ones in armor—waiting outside by now. Tell them the Skylord has ordered they deliver our luggage to the appropriate places. Could you be so kind and oversee them?”
    Father nodded, and after hugging Ion and Oceanus goodbye, departed. The golden gates slammed shut, and Lady Borea turned to Othum.
    “No more dilly-dallying then,” she said, hooking her arm through her son’s. “Let the meeting begin. Guardians”—her eyes briefly strayed to Ion’s jaw—“you wait here and tend the door. No one enters or leaves until this meeting is adjourned.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    WAY OF THE OLD GODS
     
    Lady Borea walked the Skylord into the half-circle of thrones.. He nodded at each Illyrian he passed, receiving nods and smiles in return. The thrones closed in behind them, the crystal grinding across the stone floor to make the semi-circle into a full one. Othum found his throne at the back, where five stood taller than the rest—reserved for the High Illyrians, the five gods of Illyria who were considered the most important.
    There were fifteen thrones, but only thirteen were filled—an empty one for the god of the Moon, another for K’thas the Fearful, god of the Darklands.
    After everyone settled, Lady Borea rose. “Council is officially in session. We have come here today, June 30 th of the year 2301, to find a replacement for the Hand of the Moon and, in turn, restore the Balance.” Lady Borea sat back down and after folding her bony hands over her lap, asked, “Now, which one of you entitled little godlings thinks you could fill the Throne of Lady Vinya?”
    When two Illyrians shot up from their seats, Ion wasn’t surprised to see Vasheer was one of them. He glared vicious holes into the god across the way—Esereez the Inventor. Esereez had been an Elemental Essentials teacher at the Achaean Academy, alongside Vinya. Ion wasn’t too fond of him or his perpetual brooding, but he wasn’t nearly as bad as Vasheer seemed. Esereez was only about as tall as Ion, skin made of charcoal, with a strong jaw, and shards of diamonds growing out the tops of his shoulders. He didn’t look too dissimilar from something the dwarves of Eldanar would uncover from one of their precious mines.
      Vasheer was the first to speak. “I, Vasheer the Bright One, Brother of