Beneath the Fallen City by Jamie A. Waters (chapter books to read to 5 year olds .TXT) 📖

for a while so she could sort through her thoughts. She wants you to return to Trader Carl’s camp.”

Veridian shook his head and tried to pull away. “That doesn’t make sense. She wants me to leave without her?”

Alec was surprised at Veridian’s resistance. The bond between Veridian and Kayla must have been extremely strong for him to believe his convictions so vehemently. Alec increased his influence. “Yes. She wants some time to sort through her memories. She’ll contact you when she’s ready.”

Veridian’s shoulders slumped. “I guess… I guess I should go back now?”

Alec released Veridian’s hand. “Yes. We can have someone escort you back.”

Veridian scratched his head and turned to Seara. “It was nice meeting you, Seara. I’m glad Kayla found you.”

“Goodbye, Veridian. Thank you,” Seara said softly.

“I’ll walk you out,” Alec offered, sensing the man was still having difficulties making sense of the story he’d been given. He led Veridian out of the Rath’Varein quarters and back toward the main elevator. They rode the elevator down in silence. When it arrived on the ground floor, Alec took him to the main entrance area where they’d first arrived. Melvin looked up in surprise and bowed low when he recognized Alec.

“Melvin, contact Director Borshin and tell him to come down. I want you both to escort Veridian back to Trader Carl Grayson’s camp.”

If Melvin was surprised, he didn’t show it. He merely nodded. “Right away, Master Tal’Vayr.”

Alec turned once more to Kayla’s close friend. “Veridian, I wish you the best of luck.”

Veridian nodded. “Thanks.”

Without another word, Alec turned and left the room, knowing his request would be fulfilled. He headed straight for the observation room where Cessel was holding Kayla. Dealing with Veridian had taken more time than he’d expected, and he didn’t want to leave Kayla alone longer than necessary. Upon entering the large laboratory, he found Cessel arguing with his assistant.

“Cessel? What’s going on?”

Cessel frowned and shifted his weight from foot to foot. “We have a small problem. I contacted Master Edwin Tal’Vayr and asked him to come down.”

“What sort of problem?”

“We ran a blood test on Kayla to properly configure the bracelet. Unfortunately, she must have some sort of metabolic booster in her system because we’re unable to get a stable reading. Was she given something within the past few days?”

Alec nodded, keeping his face impassive. “I believe so. She was injured the other day. They probably gave it to her then. Why is that a problem?”

Cessel gave a long, drawn-out sigh. “The bracelets are sensitive devices. If I can’t get a stable reading, I can’t properly attune it. It’ll be worthless. It could take several more days for the booster to get out of her system.”

Alec’s initial relief quickly dissipated. This news wouldn’t deter his father from pressing forward. He’d insist on keeping Kayla here until the drug was out of her system.

“Is she awake yet?”

Cessel shook his head. “Not yet, but soon. She’s in restraints at the moment. We weren’t sure how she’d react.”

“You put her in restraints?”

“Well, of course. The energy reserves are low. Five people are drained, and we won’t be able to subdue her again easily without more drastic measures being taken.”

“Release her,” Alec ordered, resisting the urge to pummel the man. “Now. She’s untrained. She won’t hurt you.”

“Of course.” Cessel hastened to the door where Kayla was being held. Alec followed him into the smaller observation room.

Kayla was lying on a table with her eyes closed. Her arms and feet were bound with electronic restraints. Cessel walked around the table and deactivated the restraints. Once she had been released, Alec crossed the room to stand over her.

Alec looked down at Kayla and frowned. He hadn’t been feigning his attraction to her. If things had been different, he would have enjoyed taking his time getting to know her. After what happened tonight, though, he doubted she’d ever trust him again.

Pushing aside his regret, he brushed his hand against her cheek. He caressed her tenderly for a moment before opening his senses toward her. Closing his eyes, he found himself surrounded by darkness.

“Kayla?”

She remained silent, but he could sense her. He tried to navigate toward her but found it difficult without being able to see the familiar threads of thoughts and memories. He sifted through the darkness and hit a strange sort of wall. Confused, he tried to feel his way around it, but it resisted all of his advances.

Understanding finally hit him and shocked him to his core. She hadn’t been subdued; she’d crafted some sort of mental wall to keep the assault at bay. Her lack of consciousness was of her own design. It was an instinctual method of self-preservation.

“Kayla? You can lower the wall. I’m not going to hurt you.”

“Alec?” she asked, sounding hesitant and unsure.

“Yes, it’s me. I won’t hurt you.”

The wall dropped suddenly. A rush of anger and fury hit him. The sudden assault left him reeling. Her thoughts and emotions swirled around him, and he struggled against her assault.

“Kayla, stop,” he thought in her direction.

“You want me to stop? Get the hell out of my mind, you decomposing, maggotous bungweed!”

“It’s a little difficult to withdraw when you’re attacking me,” he gasped.

The assault stopped abruptly, and he caught his breath. The darkness had been stripped away and he could see the vibrant lines of thought and energy linking them. Kayla’s thoughts were clear and well-defined. For a moment, he was captivated by the brilliant rainbow of color.

“Kayla, I had no idea you could do this. It’s beautiful. How did you learn to do that?”

“Do what?” Her mental voice was cautious.

“The intricate weaving and the colors. I’ve never known anyone who could craft something like this without years of training.”

He could sense her anxiety, confusion, and fear. She was probably weaving these complex energy fields intuitively.

“I’m not trying to frighten you.”

“Get out of my mind!” With a great force of energy, she pushed him out of her thoughts.