Chosen (9781742844657) Read Free

few weakened White Elm stumbled or sat down. None had expected Lisandro to use so much of their energy.
    â€˜You are incredibly loyal,’ Lisandro said, brushing some of his long black hair from his face and looking down at the twitching Peter with something close to admiration. He turned to Lord Gawain. ‘Any more would have killed him.’
    â€˜Any more would have killed everyone else here, too,’ Renatus said. Everyone ignored him. He was the prime suspect.
    â€˜I’m sorry…You’ll kill me…I won’t…’ Peter mumbled, twitching violently.
    â€˜And you got nothing from him?’ Lord Gawain asked Lisandro, trying not to sound too disappointed. ‘You couldn’t dig deeper?’
    â€˜I could get nothing. I probably could have dug deeper – but not legally or safely. There’d be nothing left of his mind.’ The attractive American frowned and lowered his voice, adding, ‘As it is, I may have overdone it.’
    â€˜I won’t…I won’t…Never tell…You’ll kill me…’ Peter whispered, his voice dropping away as his consciousness slipped.
    Lisandro glanced back to Peter and shook his head, looking amused. ‘Like I said, he’s incredibly loyal.’
    â€˜To you,’ Renatus said sharply. Lisandro turned to the much younger man. Lord Gawain glanced between them, their physical similarities appearing to him, not for the first time. The black hair worn long, the pale complexions, the tall and slim build, the strong air of unbelievable power and potential… But now he saw something else – the conviction in Renatus’s eyes.
    And Lisandro looked…surprised. Not offended, but just surprised.
    No…That isn’t possible…
    â€˜That’s right, to me,’ Lisandro agreed. Long moments of silence followed. Everyone stared in absolute shock. Lisandro eyed Renatus over. ‘I never really liked you, Renatus. You always know more than you should.’
    Lisandro? No…No, he couldn’t. Not the White Elm Dark Keeper. Not Lisandro…
    â€˜Why?’ Lady Miranda said finally.
    â€˜Because he’s the same as the rest of his family,’ Lisandro said, still eyeing Renatus with mild distaste. Lady Miranda frowned.
    â€˜Why would you turn Jackson and Peter against us? Against their oaths?’
    Lisandro sighed.
    â€˜This council has become outdated, and it’s occurred to me on numerous occasions over the last few years that it might be time for us to upgrade,’ he said, as if discussing his requirement for a new phone. ‘Just think about it a minute – the magical community is fast losing faith in the White Elm. We haven’t had the popularity we once did in a very long time. This council was never voted in; the power it holds is false. It is time for a newer model I’m afraid. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Give the people the choice between what they’ve known and what could be. The White Elm has become obsolete, and Magnus Moira is the future. Peter and Jackson see what I see and want to create the same future for our world.’
    â€˜Magnus Moira?’ Qasim repeated sceptically. Others in the group looked as though Lisandro’s words were swaying their judgement, but Qasim was difficult to manipulate.
    â€˜It’s just a name,’ Lisandro answered casually. ‘A sort of club. Everything sounds more legitimate when you give it a name. Our people deserve an alternative option to the White Elm, and I’m ready to provide that. Jackson and Peter are VIP members, but you’re all invited to join, too. This council is a sinking ship. I’m offering you all a life raft. There would be some serious reshuffling of ranks and responsibilities,’ he conceded, glancing at Lord Gawain, ‘but I’m certain I could find spots for everyone. Even you,’ he added to Renatus.
    â€˜I’ll pass,’ Renatus