Chaos Risen (The Aspect Volume I Book 3) by Mark Holloway

Author:Mark Holloway [Holloway, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2023-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

“We must not let this deter our progress!”

“Progress? You speak of progress? A woman and a young boy burned to death in our town and you speak of progress?”

“The Prince is right Alaina, what is there to learn from this?”

I forced myself to look up from my hands. It wouldn’t do for the head of the Marked to be seen not paying attention.

Three days had past since the incident, and the privy council had convened today after half of the Marked under my command had fled the town. Three days I had not spoken to anyone. Three days that I replayed the scene over and over and over.

“The truth is,” Alaina said leaning forwards in her chair, “none of you know what you are dealing with. You dived head first into a power the likes of which we have never seen, and encouraged children to join in. The Aspect is not something you dip your toe in. It took years of dedication and research and patience to learn the patterns, to bend the force to your will, and here you are,” she gestured towards me, “using it like it were no more than a hammer in your hand.”

“The Marked are a gift to our people,” Aethil returned calmly. “A gift that will set back the world to the right path.”

“Is that so, and where would a cloistered shit like you have gotten such wisdom?” Alaina snapped.

Nath leaped to his feet. “Watch your tone you silly bitch!”

“Everyone, everyone!” Elend said, holding his hands up. “I understand nerves are high, but we must be pragmatic.”

“‘Nerves are high’” Alaina mocked. “Nerves are fucking through the roof. A child murdered his aunt, and then set himself on fire. A rock stands in place of his body, in perfect defiance of all that is right in this world. Our prince may not be a scholar, but surely you know that a child’s body is not supposed to look like a gem you’d dig from the ground!”

For once, there was silence. There was no denying Alaina’s words. She was right, and the town was terrified. The Marked had been lauded as their saviours. The very first act of their prince had been to knight one of them for pity’s sake. What happened with Abeny, it went beyond unexplainable, it went straight through to abject fucking horror.

“Ban,” Alaina said, turning to me. Her voice softened, and she reached out to cup my hand in hers. “I know things have gotten out of hand. I know you think you can control what is happening to you, to the others, but I’m telling you you cant. Not on your own. I’m begging you to stop using the magic. Command the others to do so.” She searched my eyes, and I saw genuine concern in her own.

“I will not act out of fear,” I said, my voice iron. I pulled my hands out of hers. “This power is a gift. I will not squander it.” I looked around the council, and saw the fear and uncertainty in their faces.

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