ZYGRADON by Michelle L. Levigne Read Free Book Online

whispered.
    "I don't know." Mrillis settled back, pushing his spine hard against the chilly
stone wall. "I haven't done anything to make big enemies. My father was a great warrior.
He died trying to sneak into the Nameless One's fortress."
    "Maybe he did get in. Maybe he took something, and now the Encindi are
trying to get it back, and they think you have it?"
    "Maybe." He nodded. It made sense, once he thought of his father. The
Nameless One was cruel enough to punish the children of his enemies. What had the
mighty warrior Illis done to the Nameless One, just before he died, that would have the
rebel Rey'kil enchanter seeking revenge eight years later?
    * * * *
    A net woven of darkness chased Mrillis through his dreams. Through it, he
saw the spider's web of light that had appeared when he saved Ceera from the fire. He
stumbled, twisting and turning, trying to outrun the dark net. If he could touch one
strand of the web of light, he would be safe.
    Twice, the net wrapped around his legs, tangled his steps, threw him to the
ground. The strands of the net burned. They were sticky, icy and he could hear his flesh
sizzle as if touched by flames. Each time he fell, Mrillis heaved and kicked and lunged to
his feet, escaping the net.
    He fell out of bed and woke. Mrillis huddled on the sheepskins spread on the
floor, clutched the side of his cot and tried not to be ill. His dreams, as violent as they
had become, hadn't disturbed the other boys in the dormitory.
    He didn't go back to sleep for the rest of the night. He didn't try.
    The next night, he dreamed a dark, faceless man tried to bring the sea up
over Wynystrys, to drown him and sweep him into the depths. Mrillis ran across the
island, unable to find Breylon, Kathal or Tathal to protect him. Dark clouds gathered
around him, choking mist that clung to his limbs like mud. The faceless man laughed and
the dark clouds grew thin and long and turned into cords that chased him like black
snakes. No matter where he ran on the island, he couldn't escape them.
    Far off in the distance, Mrillis saw a glimmer of light. He leaped high to
escape a cord that hissed across the ground under his feet. Mrillis reached for the light
and stayed aloft. The harder he reached for the light, the higher he flew, and faster, until
he streaked through the air like an eagle.
    He reached the source of the light, and it was the spider's web. Mrillis
reached for it.
    Incredible pain wrapped around his foot, sinking burning teeth into his
flesh. He halted in mid-air and looked back. A dark cord wrapped around his ankle.
Snarling, he stretched both arms out, reaching for the web.
    He touched one thin, pale golden strand. Light exploded in his eyes. Mrillis
let out a shout and flung up his arms to protect his face.
    In the split second before he closed his eyes, he saw two faces. One was a
red-haired, blue-eyed boy who stared at him in wide-eyed horror. The other was
Le'esha.

Chapter Six
    The dream shattered and Mrillis opened his eyes to find himself curled up on
the floor on his side, drenched in sweat. The shout still rang in his throat. Several boys sat
up, outlined in the soft, shielded light that sat by the door of the dormitory. Two sighed
and curled up and went back to sleep. The third snarled a complaint and heaved a
pillow at Mrillis. He barely felt the soft thump against his back.
    The door banged open and Le'esha raced into the room, followed by Theana
and Healer Aelix. The husky healer vaulted the cot and went to her knees next to Mrillis.
She cupped his head in her large, gentle hands, and a moment later sighed.
    "Not even scorched, Lady." She helped Mrillis sit up, and winked at him in the
light from the lamp Theana held over them.
    "What did I do?" Mrillis asked. He tried to ignore the staring, muttering
boys.
    "Well..." Le'esha sat on the edge of his empty cot. "You answered the question
of whether you burned out your imbrose ."
    For a few seconds, Mrillis could only blink and try to clear