Veiled Shadows (The Age of Alandria: Book Two) by Morgan Wylie Read Free Book Online Page A

magic he had stirred up and released was powerful indeed and took more out of him than he had prepared for. The outcome, however, was not what he had hoped it to be; he could still feel Kaeleigh’s presence coming from her body and suddenly could sense something else, as if... well, no that could not be! He gasped with revelation and all eyes now focused on him.
    “She is caught in the In-between,” Hunter said as he rose from his chair and grasped ahold of one of Kaeleigh’s lifeless hands positioned carefully next to her body. “Not only between the what was and the what could be, but between realms,” he said more to himself as an explanation. “She is not dying, but she may be there indefinitely,” he added remorsefully as he looked at each of them, “if we cannot find a way to reach her and pull her back to her body.”
    Perplexed, Chel, holding her hands to her mouth trying to keep herself from crying, said almost too quietly, “What? How do we do that?”
    Daegan growled under his breath as he gave away his frustration and bore eyes of anger at Hunter as if he had just said that she was dead. Maybe it was the same to him. He looked as if the only possible thread of hope had just been unraveled.
    Finn pushed away from the table, running both hands through his hair several times out of frustration and worry. He turned his back to the group as he looked out the window and said with such deep emotion he practically growled, “We can’t, she’s stuck there!”
    “Actually, that’s not entirely true,” Hunter somberly contradicted him. “It has been done before, but only once in our history that I am aware of.” 
    Flexing his hands, Daegan said through gritted teeth, “Who?”
    “Andreinna.”
    Confused, Chel looked back and forth between the two men as they seemed to be having some kind of a nonverbal communication with their eyes. Finn stepped up from behind Chel and stood next to her watching the silent communication. Seconds later, Hunter nodded and his shoulders slumped as he sat back down. Daegan spared a quick glance at Kaeleigh and then strode feverishly out the door, slamming it behind him.
    “Where’s he going? What the hell was that about?” Chel finally shouted.
    Hunter looked back at Kaeleigh and sighed. “Where are you, Kaeleighnna? Come back to us.” Then he looked to the remaining two and answered Chel. “He is going to see if he can learn from Andreinna so we will know what to do to help her.”
    “Who is Andreinna?”
    “Why would she help us?” Finn growled at the same time.
    Hunter snapped his head up at Finn, clearly feeling intolerant of Finn’s tone. Finn backed off and slightly lowered his head. The old man relaxed and answered Chel, “She is the watcher of the Ancients from Lenoria, but also known by many names. Perhaps you came across her path on your journey here; however, it is not always a pleasant encounter to cross her path.”
    With sudden understanding, but needing to make sure, Finn asked, “The Dryad priestess?” Then he went on, stammering, “If she even would let herself be found by Daegan, she has no reason to help us...” Then remembering Kaeleigh had encountered her in the forest, he went on, “But if she knew it was for Kaeleigh maybe she would help. She seemed to be taken with Kaeleigh when we entered the forest. She actually spoke with her!” Finn was rambling but now his words held some hope in them. 
    Chel looked at him, baffled, then looked to Hunter. “Would this Andreinna speak with Daegan?”
    Hunter nodded slowly and said, “Yes. They have spoken before. I believe Andreinna is fond of Daegan. He may in fact be the only one she would be willing to offer assistance to. Plus, if memory serves, she may owe him a small favor.”
    Chel, feeling a little out of the loop, asked Finn quietly, not wanting to disturb Hunter’s concentration, “What is this ‘In-between’ place?”
    Finn looked to her, annoyed at first, but then softened to his