Breath of Angel Read Free

was the end of the stairway,” Nuri said.
    “And the end of angels in our world,” added Iona.
    “But the brothers planted the seeds of the Wisdom Tree,” offered Peron, “didn’t they?”
    “They did.” Melaia set the harp aside. “The brothers learned that cultivating wisdom takes patience.”
    The girls chimed in, “Wisdom, over time, is earned.”
    The hawkman hissed. “A pitiful ending and woefully false.” He pointed a taloned finger at Melaia. “Remember this, Chantress. The Second-born abducted his niece and headed for Dreia. But fortune was with the Firstborn, for I discovered the treachery in time to rescue my daughter. To ensure that the Tree never collected on the debt, I destroyed it. My daughter and I ate the seeds, round and shiny, red as blood. We became immortal!”
    “You’re trying to haunt us with our own tale.” Melaia took up a poker and stabbed the coals in the brazier, determined not to show her fear. “There were three seeds.”
    “So there were,” said the hawkman. “The third I crammed down my brother’s throat. Now he owes his debt for all eternity. And it is my pleasure to make sure he never repays.” He grinned at the dead man. “Son of Dreia, this night you are destroyed.”
    He snatched up the corpse, and its wings unfolded. The girls shrieked and ran to Melaia.
    The hawkman dropped the body back to the bier as if it had burned him. Then he cursed and shoved it to the floor. He scanned the room. “The man had a pack. Where is it?”
    “Maybe he lost it in the side yard.” Melaia felt her face grow warm at the half lie.
    But the man didn’t press his search. Instead, he stiffened and stared at the front door, his head cocked, listening. Melaia heard only wind, but the hawkman slowly retreated, tense as a cat backing away from danger. He glanced from the door to the window to the roof hole, where smoke drifted into the night. Then he hurtled toward the brazier, and his body contorted.
    All of Melaia’s instincts screamed at her to run, but she stayed her feet, clenched her jaw, and gripped the poker with both hands. As the hawk leaped into the flames, she swung with all her might.
    She struck only air as he rose in the smoke and vanished.

CHAPTER 2
    M elaia was still gaping at the roof hole, watching smoke swirl away, when Benasin, the overlord’s advisor, barged into the sanctuary like a dog on the hunt, his windblown dark hair giving him a wild look.
    The high priestess swept in after him and slipped off her gold-trimmed blue cloak. She paused to catch her breath, her almond-eyed gaze trailing him around the room as he inspected every nook. “You run like a young man, Benasin,” she said. “What did you sense?” When he gave no answer, she turned to Melaia. “What’s happening?”
    The other girls all spoke at once, pointing at the roof hole. “Strange man—” “Gold eyes—” “Up there—” The words bobbed like apples in water.
    “And the other man, he has wings,” said Peron, pointing at the stranger on the bier.
    “The cloaked man called him Dreia’s son,” explained Melaia. “He started to take the body, then changed his mind.”
    “No wonder in that.” Benasin squatted beside the corpse. “Your visitor saw the wings and knew his mistake. Dreia’s son doesn’t have wings.”
    “Who is the winged man?” asked Melaia.
    “I intend to find out,” said Benasin. “He’s one of the angels, that’s certain.”
    “Angels are real, then.” Nuri frowned at Melaia. “You said your stories were just legend.”
    “I thought they were.” Melaia knelt beside Benasin. “You spoke of Dreia as if she’s real.”
    “She is,” said Benasin. “Legend is often based on truth.”
    “But according to legend, Dreia is an angel,” Melaia pointed out. “So her son would be too. Wouldn’t he have wings?”
    “Mellie, for once try to hold back your questions,” said Hanni.
    “It’s all right, Hanamel,” said Benasin. “The girls deserve