Uleni's Gamble by D.R. Rosier Read Free Book Online

way, you would be actually securing the lives of those soldiers that survive the inevitable war, not to mention the kingdom and people.”
    So there he was, power exhausted, lying in the back of a cart, playing dead next to a crazy tied up assassin who for some reason of her own was helping them.
    *
    Sara was using her ability almost constantly as they made their way to the city. It was a two hour trip at the pace they were going, and she had sensed a couple of people in range so far. All she got from them were surprise before they faded away.
    She was also focused on Trina who was currently tied up and sharing a wagon with Justin. She was a little wary of trusting her alone and so close to him, even if she was tied up. She sensed nothing but admiration toward Justin though, so she wasn’t too worried. There wasn’t anything else tied up with it though, the assassin was not attracted to Justin at all.
    Sara blushed wishing she felt confident enough to stop looking in on the woman’s emotions so closely. Because she was feeling attraction coming from the woman, just not for Justin, it was aimed at her. At first she was suspicious, thinking it some manufactured ploy to get her to stop monitoring. But after a while it became obvious that wasn’t the case.
    She had heard some women were special friends, but she had never met anyone like that before now. And the fact it seemed directed at her flustered her a bit. She thought Trina was beautiful, but she had never really felt that way about another woman herself. She still didn’t, but the idea of it made her curious. Would she have the same panicked reaction to a woman touching her? She didn’t know, and she didn’t know if she would ever even want something like that.
    She didn’t have time to think about it right now either. She needed to focus on their surroundings, having the greatest range in the group, it was important to keep on her toes.
    *
    Sally was wary. She was worried the plan would be blown, surely they would attack her right? When they saw she still lived? She had asked Trina about it, but wasn’t sure about her answer…
    Trina said, “Normally you would be right, they fear witches, women mages, but right now the focus is on taking out the Flame so they can invade. Right now in their minds you are just one more of the many they will need to hunt down in Abelaweth once they take over. Just one witch of many. The invasion is more important than that, I truly believe they won’t attack.”
    Trina frowned and continued, “If anything, they would attack to kill me, ensure my silence, but I don’t think they will do that either. I only know the generalities of their plan, not details. I imagine your spies know more, and I believe they will too. Still, they won’t risk waiting too long once they believe Justin is dead.”
    She thought the assassin made sense, and her fear was probably just how often her mother had told her when she was younger how rabid about it they were. Even without the spell there anymore, she had not doubted her mother’s word on how female mages were dealt with.
    On top of that, despite still being low for him, Justin’s magic was building faster than she expected, she hoped she could keep the cloaking spells active until they were brought into the temple and under cover…
    *
    Nicole hated her part of the plan. It was obvious someone needed to let the king and her brother in on the plan, it would change what they did. She had to be careful though, there would be spies no doubt. Maybe not in the palace, but the servants and others if they heard would probably pass it on to just one more person until it reached the ears of the enemy.
    She didn’t bother with stealth though, she flew in her phoenix form to her brother’s window. She knew it wouldn’t be long for a response. Hopefully it wouldn’t take long to get him alone. She would let him tell their father what was happening.
    If she could help it that is. She didn’t want to