Wings of Lomay by Devri Walls Read Free Book Online

chair to wait as the minutes ticked by. The magic beneath her skin was making her crazy. It was too much . . . again. Every time there was an increase in magic, she thought she would claw her skin off.
    Looking for a release, she opened up her hands and formed a swirling ball of blue light. She poured more and more magic into it, feeding it as it grew. It lifted off her hands, still growing, until it was the size of a wagon wheel, illuminating the room in brilliant blue light. It was hypnotic. It didn’t even make a dent in the magic running through her. In fact, she could feel no decrease in her magic at all.
    “That is impressive,” Eleana’s voice came.
    Kiora jerked up. The ball dissipated into nothing. “Eleana! I didn’t see you.”
    Eleana’s image floated just above the floor, smiling. “I’m not surprised. That was quite the ball of light you were sustaining. You are still getting stronger, I see.”
    Meros was too far away to allow Eleana to materialize. Projecting her image allowed them to speak without waiting days for her arrival.
    Kiora wilted and looked down at her hands. They glinted with magic she was having trouble holding in.
    “What is it?” Eleana asked gently.
    She hadn’t planned on saying anything about it. She had called Eleana to discuss the Guardians, but her heart ached, and everything came spilling out before she could stop it. Her fears, the things she had done, those she had killed, finding the talisman, the women and children she had lost, and how Lomay had sacrificed himself. She held up her glittering hands and shook them. “This magic isn’t even mine.”
    Eleana crossed her hands delicately in front of herself. “Kiora, I am so sorry.”
    “And now I have to figure out what to do. I have to find a way to defeat Jasmine without losing everyone in the process.”
    “Is that why you called me here?”
    “No.” Kiora inclined her chin, pushing herself up straighter in her chair. “We need more weapons, and the Shifters need someone to teach them how to make them. We need the Guardians.”
    “Malena has asked about you so many times, I was worried she was going to fly off to look for you on her own.” Eleana’s image flickered, threatening to vanish. “It will take the Guardians a couple of days to reach you.”
    Kiora smiled. She was sure Malena would never do something so foolishly impulsive, but it was a nice sentiment. “I miss her too.”
    “How many shall I send?”
    “I just need teachers—two should be fine. I would like to leave as many as possible in Meros, in case things go wrong.”
    “I will let them know.”
    “There was one other thing I wanted to discuss with you,” Kiora said as she fiddled with the papers on the desk. “If things go badly . . .” She hesitated. “And we lose this war, I want you and Epona to put the gate back up in Meros.”
    Eleana’s lips parted slightly with surprise.
    “Only if we lose,” Kiora said quickly. “Please—it’s the only way to protect them. They shouldn’t have to die for a war they had no part in.”
    Eleana looked pained, but consented. “Very well.”
    ***
    EMANE’S HAIR WAS LANK with sweat from hours of training and he had removed his shirt. His armband stood out brightly against his skin.
    “Next,” Emane called.
    Alcander stepped back and handed off his sword to another Tavean, who moved forward to take his place. Despite his exhaustion, Emane raised his sword for the next round.
    Alcander walked over to where Kiora sat against the wall and slid down next to her. “Nice to see that you have emerged from the library.”
    “I talked to Eleana last night. She’s sending two Guardians to train the Shifters.”
    Alcander grabbed the front of his shirt and wiped the sweat from his face. “You mean the Shifter?”
    The swords clanged, and Emane pushed the Tavean back with minimal effort. “No. I meant the Shifters . I am taking Emane and Drustan to help me recruit, and we’re bringing all the