Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Jonathan Michael (red novels .txt) 📖

“Thank you, sir.” There is a slight tremble in his voice.

It takes him a moment upon his approach, but it is apparent when he realizes who Ellia is. A subtle raise of the brow. A quick aversion of the eyes. Humanity speaks so many languages, yet most of us are oblivious to it. He sits on the edge of the settee. Ellia shifts closer, alternating her crossed legs and keeping her eye on him. She’s already begun.

“You’ve met Ellia, no?”

Stone shifts awkwardly. He looks to Ellia, who won’t take her gaze off him, then he looks back to me. “Uh…” he stumbles on his words. “You look familiar,” he says to her. “But…” he shrugs his shoulders. “I…uh…I don’t think we have, sir.”

“Well, then it’s time you’ve met properly. Elder Alderock, this is Ellia Rosewood.” Stone keeps his gaze on me as his head turns, then darts them in line with her. He believes he’s being tested for etiquette. Poor lad. Ellia’s flesh-bait lures him right in. His gaze pauses for just a bit too long, making it obvious.

“Pleased to meet you, Ellia.” He reaches out a hand and bows his head.

“Enough,” Ellia protests and waves Stone’s hand out of the way. “We don’t need formalities.”

Stone looks up. His eyes shift from her to me and back to her. He does think he’s being tested. And he’d be failing.

“Yes, for a woman of your place, grace can be challenging to maintain,” I stab at her. “Ellia, Elder and I have a matter to discuss in private. If you don’t mind.” I rise to my feet. Stone follows suit. Ellia glowers at me again. Her gaze shifts to Stone, and she eyes him up and down as she gets to her feet.

“Now you have my name. Put it to use.” Her hand brushes down his cheekbone to his chin. She moves in closer. Pauses. Then heads for the exit.

Her presence demands a certain attention. Stone’s gaze follows her all the way until the door clicks behind her.

“She is a devious one. Very manipulative. Watch out for her.” Stone refocuses his attention back to me. “Sit,” I command, and I take a seat myself. The evening sun finds its way into my chamber. I rise back to my feet and cross the room to open the balcony door. “A warm evening breeze is nice at this hour.” Stone remains silent.

Outside the door, on the balcony, I see two feet shuffle behind the wall. I invited her. I don’t understand her reasoning for stealth. She’s a bit earlier than expected. Maybe she is waiting until I’m done with Stone. She isn’t aware it is him yet, or she’d reveal herself.

“So, Elder…” I pause. “Shall we stop the charades?” Stone’s eyes light up, and he squirms. I sit back down across from him in the black, leather armchair. “Shall we play the roles we’re expected to play instead? You’re the fugitive. I’m the evil tyrant. It is much more exciting than the student and the teacher, don’t you agree?”

“I…I…” he stammers but doesn’t get anything out.

“Don’t worry, Stone.” He squirms again. That is the first time I’ve called him by his given name. It’s subtle, but I just freed myself of a small weight. I don’t enjoy the games. The necessary games to keep balance in this realm. I can sense the same in him.

At the sound of his name, I peek over my shoulder to see if there is a young girl storming in from the balcony. She remains hidden. No matter to me. Whatever reason she has for keeping her secrecy is her own.

“Your execution is not in your future. At least, not by my hand.” I eye him carefully. He remains silent. This is all more than he anticipated. He didn’t intend to come face-to-face with the so-called murderer of his parents without the barrier of our charade to protect him. “Stone, I didn’t summon you to carry out your sentence. I never intended to carry out that sentence. There are some truths to be told. I know you won’t believe me. Not today. You need more evidence, proof of knowledge. But I was not there the day your parents died. Forgive me, I digress. I summoned you here because your talents are…taboo.”

“What?” He speaks in a low voice. He’s likely referring to the day his parents died. I shouldn’t have made the comment. I’m not heading down that road just yet. He also knows he’s different, so in part, his simple, vague question regards his talents too. He’s been looking for answers and hasn’t been finding them. It’s part of the reason he agreed to enroll in my academy. I cannot unfold too much at once. He won’t be able to handle it.

“Well…that is what the mob would refer to them as. I’m sure you’ve heard the blasphemed terms—Shaman, Imp, Grim, Immortal? The Grafts—those who have more than one talent. Or maybe you’ve been away from society long enough that you haven’t. The mob fears them, you know. They have too much power. Most of society doesn’t even know how to use the one talent given to them, let alone two. They fear it, Stone.” He defaults to remaining silent again. He makes for a good listener. Wise. He speaks only when he has something to say. “You must keep this secret for now. There may be a day in your lifetime when you can parade about your talents, but you will get slaughtered if you continue to reveal them. You’re a Lahyf, Stone. That is all. Your only talent is healing. Master Stormwood knows, which is how I found out. But he is one of my own and not to be feared. He has a mature mind about him. And between him and Ellia, we will train