Borrowed Ember Read Online Free PDF Page B

the word ‘we’, Ari wanted to take hold of his hand in hers, but with Azazil watching on and Red’s warning earlier, she managed to refrain from seeking comfort in Jai’s touch. I honestly don’t know.
    Ari , he was using his ‘I’m older, wiser and a guardian’ voice, You’re not thinking of using your power are you? That’s a death wish.
    I don’t know, Jai. I just know that I can’t let him die.
    She felt his body tense next to her.
    Don’t worry , her words were soft and cajoling, My power is the last resort. I’ll speak up first. For all their twisted ways, Jinn believe in honor and
    upholding their laws. Well, Gleaming’s son attacked me—a full-blood. He was going to kill me — a crime punishable by death. Let’s see Gleaming talk
    his way out of that.
    After a second, she felt Jai relax, his arm brushing hers in a way that sent inappropriate tingles shooting to inappropriate places. Her eyes fel to his hand that was fisted atop his thigh. Slowly, his fingers unfurled as he relaxed, believing her. He had nice hands, she mused, strong but graceful. Just the sight of them gave her tingles too.
    Flushing, Ari was glad for the distraction as The Gleaming King spoke out to the arena.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here today to bring my son justice.” He strode in front of Charlie, his powerful muscles flexing in a way that made Ari gulp for Charlie’s sake. His eyes driled into her friend with bitter hatred and it took everything she had not to throw herself in front of him and hide him from Gleaming’s view.
    “This monster, this half-blood, pretender of Jinn, kiled my son in cold-blood…”
    …Unlike any trial Ari had ever witnessed, Gleaming and Red argued back and forth about the events that led to Dalí’s death with no real sense of logic—there was no offering of evidence for a start. It was just assumed that a Jinn King was to be believed.
    The argument was difficult for Red because he was trying to keep Ari’s involvement in this whole ugly business as low key as possible.
    “The case is not about what my son did, Red!” Gleaming belowed and Ari found herself almost sneering. Red and even her father, White, were so cool and
    colected that she couldn’t help admire that about them. Gleaming was a hot-head and he came across as petulant, childish and undignified. Plus, he was trying to nail her best friend to a cross. “This boy, this barely Jinn, half-human murdered my son.” He turned to the crowd. “A knife in the back, if you please.”
    The crowd gasped at that, and Ari heard the murmurs of ‘coward’ ripple through the arena.
    “He was in the middle of choking to death a Guild hunter. Charlie saved the girl’s life,” Red caled out, trying to draw their attention back, but it seemed to have no effect.
    Ari glanced anxiously at the Marid, Adeel, who was judging the trial. Earlier he’d looked half-asleep but now he was sitting up, studying Charlie carefuly. She swalowed hard, noting Charlie flex his hands, seeing the tremble in his fingers.
    She felt like crying for him.
    “If I may,” a strong, familiar voice rang out around them and al heads turned to where Charlie had entered earlier.
    Shock and frightened anticipation froze her in place and she felt Jai press closer to her as The White King garnered everyone’s attention. Blank-faced, he strode towards the center of the amphitheater and addressed Adeel. “I have a testimony to make on the accused’s behalf.”
    There were more gasps, including Ari’s.
    Adeel bowed his head at The White King. “The White King is of course alowed to provide his side of the events.”
    Ari’s eyes locked with Charlie’s as his head whipped around to her, his eyes questioning her silently. She shook her head, letting him know she hadn’t arranged this.
    “What are you doing, White?” Gleaming asked quietly, al his posturing deflating under his brother’s gaze.
    White didn’t answer him. He looked right through him and then