Sapphire Flute by Karen E. Hoover

Author:Karen E. Hoover [Hoover, Karen E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Family, magic, teen, fantasy, dragons, Music, intense, battle between good and evil, shapeshifting, werewolves, high fantasy, volcanoes
ISBN: 9781935546078
Google: p7GLRAAACAAJ
Goodreads: 7719503
Publisher: VALOR PUB
Published: 2010-03-15T07:27:34+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Dinner was without salt and season, but still was one of the best meals Ember had eaten in a long time. The wolves had shifted to human form and laid down a base of stones, put the animals on it, then covered them with more stones. They heated the rocks magically, baking the rabbits in the middle as well as any stove. Ember ate a whole rabbit on her own and would have taken more if there had been any left.

After she’d eaten her fill, and her packmates had shifted back to their natural form, they curled together near the base of the willow. For some reason, all the wolves but Shad seemed more comfortable as wolf than man. Once everyone was settled, Ember sat across the fire from her uncle and finally had the chance to satisfy her curiosity. Shad sat in the dirt and leaned against a log with a satisfied sigh.

“Uncle Shad, what was he like?” Ember asked as Shad extended his feet toward the soggy fire.

He seemed to know exactly who she meant.

“He was a good man and a great friend—the best. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, child, an awful lot, and I have yet to find one who is as caring, responsible, trustworthy, and talented as he is . . .was,” he corrected, his voice catching. She was silent, hoping he’d continue. Shad stared into the small fire, huddled for warmth as they sat protected beneath the giant willow. “I remember the first time I met him. It was supposed to be this big secret between my father and me, but he wanted me to meet my human brother. He said we were a lot alike, and I think he had regrets about leaving Asana.”

“Asana?” Ember asked. “Who’s that?”

“Your grandmother.” Shad glanced at her, then let his eyes be drawn back to the fire. “She’s a strong woman, feisty as could be, but with a lot of love to give. I’ve met her a time or two. You’d like her,” he said, giving her a half-smile. “I know my father cared for my own mother, but he never loved her the way he did your grandmother.”

“Then why did he leave?”

He shrugged. “Political reasons. The chief of the Bendanatu passed away, and Bahndai, my father, was next in line. The Elders finally convinced him he needed to return home and lead us, for the good of the people, though it wasn’t something he wanted. He just happened to be chosen.” He shifted on the log that looked even more uncomfortable than the rock where Ember sat.

“Chosen? Why?”

“It’s the eyes. The Bendanatu believe that our Guardian will show the sign of his favor through the eyes of his Chosen One.”

“What do you mean?” she pursued.

“The Chosen’s eyes are different in color than the rest of the tribe.”

“Really? I thought all wolves had brown or gold eyes.”

He shrugged again. “Usually they do,” he answered, not really paying attention to her as he began to snap a twig into little pieces and throw it into the fire.

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