Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) Read Free

your little display, so stop stalling and move.”
    She wasn’t going to give in. “I’m the daughter of Lazarus Killian and a warrior of the Order of the Azure Serpent!”
    When she stood her ground, he sighed. He reached for her arm, but she side-stepped him and elbowed his back. She didn’t need her power to outwit him. He fell to the floor. She ran to the door, where a dozen white robes waited. She did a quick mental head count. There were too many of them. Defeated, she put her shackled hands in the air. The first man exited the room, holding his ribs and glaring at her.
    “I’ll go peacefully,” she declared.
    The white robe growled, picked up the chain, and pulled the chain hard enough that she fell to her knees. The others stood by and watched. She was on her own. Julia regained her footing and prepared for a fight.
    “Halt! What is going on here?” Parmelia’s raspy, but firm voice said.
    “Ma’am. The girl has been called to the leader’s office, but she is insolent and refused to come,” the white robe mumbled.
    His arms dropped to his side, and his face turned bright red. The others backed away. Parmelia squinted at the men. Julia was relieved to see that the woman still held some authority in the tower. Parmelia smelled like gardenias. When she touched Julia’s cheek, a memory of white flowers in a woman’s hair flashed through Julia’s mind. Julia flinched away. The old woman sighed and turned to the white robes.
    “I’m here to speak with the girl. You are dismissed.” Parmelia shooed the men away.
    The injured one hesitated. “But Ma’am… she’s dangerous, and I was told to take her—
    “Don’t be foolish. She’s a child. And I will speak with her for a moment.”
    The white robe handed Parmelia the chain and left. Parmelia put her hand on Julia’s shoulder and ushered her back into the cell. Julia thought about fighting, but her instincts told her to stay and hear the woman out. Even if she could easily overcome the old woman, she didn’t want to hurt her. Julia had no choice but to go along.
    “We don’t have much time. I called in a few favors to gain access to you, but once they find out I’m here… Well… we must speak quickly. There is much I need to tell you.”
    Parmelia dropped the chain on the floor without securing it. She also left the door open a crack. Sweat beaded Julia’s brow, and her legs itched. All she had to do was knock Parmelia over and run.  Julia could walk right out the front door, but she stayed.
    “If you people think you can keep me locked up, you’re mistaken.” Then what am I doing? Run, Julia. She scolded herself.
    Parmelia turned and chuckled. “You remind me of your mother. She was just as rebellious.”
    Julia’s tough charade faded. She swallowed a knot in her throat. “You knew my mom?” Her mother was long dead; so how could this woman know her? Her curiosity sparked, and all thoughts of running disappeared. “Who are you?”
    Parmelia took a deep breath. “I wanted to meet you under better circumstances, but… this is how it will have to be. I am your grandmother. My daughter, Juliet – your mother – married Lazarus.” Parmelia wiped a frail hand across her face.
    “Why should I believe anything you say?” Julia hissed.
    Parmelia continued on, as if remembering a dream. “You should know that I was there the day you were born, and both your mother and father were so happy and in love with you.”
    Ha! Julia knew she had to be lying. “You must be confused. That doesn’t sound like my father at all.”
    “He… changed soon after your birth. The previous leader of the Order, your paternal grandfather, was obsessed with Danu’s power. That obsession poisoned Lazarus’s mind and killed your mother. I was told that you and your mother died in an accident.”
    Julia paced the room. Her mind and heart were torn in several directions. She still had a family. She had a grandmother – who had believed for sixteen years