House of Smoke and Bone by L.L Hunter

Author:L.L Hunter [Hunter, L.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.L Hunter

Chapter 16

Medeis was a scholar kingdom. It was where many went to train in their professions, to learn about magic and the history of Aurum and Agnium – but that was before the First War, which left the island kingdom in ruins. Magic was forbidden practice, and many books and tomes in the library were destroyed or went missing.

As soon as Fasir’s ship docked in the Medeisian port, the three teens, Fasir, and Frederick stood on the dock and stared at what lay before them – nothing.

Absolutely nothing at all.

The port was not teeming with people, fishermen, scholars, and students heading to class at the university. It was deserted. In fact, their party were the only beings around. On a slight rise, looking over the courtyard of the former university, sat the palace of the Medeisian royal family.

“Well, this should make it easier to find Ares’ diary, right?” said Pavin.

“Easy, kids. Don’t let down your guard. Just because this may feel easy, we shouldn’t get complacent. For all we know, it could be a trap,” explained Fasir.

Frederick made a rude noise. “Come on, Fasir. These kids can smoke whoever stands in our way.”

Fasir shot him a stern look.

“Let’s go. I will lead. Prepare your magic and weapons just in case we do cross anyone, particularly anyone hostile who might be opposed to us being here. It’s been twenty years since I was last here, and it’s changed a lot,” said Fasir.

First to step off the pier was Imogen, who was glad to be on sturdy ground and off the ship. Followed closely by Pavin, who didn’t want to let her out of his sight, and because he didn’t want to be alone with Amelia, not yet anyway. They still hadn’t talked after she returned and after she caught him and Imogen kissing in the library. Although he had to admit that Amelia kind of scared him. She had a fire inside her that constantly burned, like the embers in the hearth of a fireplace, like magic humming just beneath the surface. She was unpredictable, and no one knew when she would be triggered to explode.

But at the same time, that tenacity and fire turned Pavin on. He was drawn to her slow-burning rage, her passion, her darkness like a firefly attracted to light. If he touched her, he feared being scolded but craved the anticipation of getting burned.

Frederick stepped forward but looked back at Amelia, who hadn’t moved from the wooden planks of the pier.

“Amelia? Are you okay?”

She stared blankly ahead, her eyes not focused but half glazed over like she was in a trance.

“Amelia?” he asked, cautiously approaching her.

“I can feel him,” she said finally.

“Who?”

“My father. He is here.”

“What? Like, here, here? how?”

“I can’t explain it, but I can feel magic. Dark magic. It calls to me. it feels like mine, but it’s not.” She then took off running. Frederick swore and ran after her.

Amelia ran past the others and rounded a stone wall, one of the ruins of the city.

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