Exile in the Water Kingdom (The Elemental Phases Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

“Alright.”  She marched over to the refreshment table, conscious of
Gion’s looming shape sweeping along next to her.  The other members at the
meeting were studying him curiously.
    It was the cape.
    Gion knew it looked out of place in the human realm.  It looked
out of place everywhere , as a matter of fact.  But, still he kept
wearing it.  Worse, he always looked right in the silly thing.  Anyone
else would seem like a refugee from a Halloween party or like he was trying too
hard.  But, Gion looked… imperial.  When Gion walked into a room, he
automatically became the center of attention; the dark authority.  Gion
dominated everyplace he went.  It was just something in his DNA.
    Ty busied herself pouring coffee into a foam cup.  “Is this about
the promise I owe you?”
    “It is.”
    When Ty’s cousin Nia had been abducted by the Reprisal, Ty had
offered herself in exchange for Gion’s help.  It was a straightforward deal: 
If he would save her cousin, she’d go with him to the Air Kingdom.  Only, he’d
turned her down.  Instead, Gion joined the Nia Rescue Effort in trade for an
unspecified promise from Ty.  A blank check that he’d yet to cash in.  Whatever
he’d demand, it was a small price for Nia’s safety, so Ty still considered the
deal a personal victory.
    Even if it did annoy her to remember Gion’s lousy, un-heroic
attitude that day.
    Gion’s mouth twitched when Ty took a sip of the coffee without
offering him any.  When the Queen of the Water House had a lapse in manners, it
was deliberate.  “You look well, Tritione.  New glasses and everything. 
Probation obviously agrees with you.”
    “I’m stronger.”  Or at least she was trying to be.  “These
meetings help me.”
    “Yes, well, I did tell you those human anxiety pills were a waste
of time, didn’t I?”
    Ty slanted him a frown.  She should have known that he’d be an “I
told ya so”-er.
    Gion ignored her irritation and fixed his own coffee.  Ty had
never considered what kind of coffee Gion might drink.  If she had , Ty
probably would have guessed that he took it black, though.  That seemed like
the way that all villains would prefer their coffee.  Instead, Gion dumped six
sugar packets and three creamers into the cup, then he swirled it around with a
little wooden stirrer.  Apparently still unsatisfied, he added two more little
containers of milk.
    Ty had absolutely no idea why, but she found that sort of
charming.
    She scowled at the thought.
    Gion could drink his coffee with cute paper parasols in the mug
and it wouldn’t make him any less her enemy.  With a flick of his evil wrist,
he could destroy her and then be home in time to practice his patronizing
sneer.  Whatever Gion wanted from her, it wouldn’t be good.  Not that he was in
a hurry to tell her about his undoubtedly terrible scheme, anyway.  He just
stood beside her, stirring his coffee and observing the world around him with
utter indifference.
    Gion always enjoyed biding his time.  It added to the drama.  If
he wasn’t a nefarious henchman, he’d have made a wonderful thespian.
    Ty tucked an errant curl behind her ear and glanced up at him. 
“Did I mention the meeting only lasts another half-an-hour?”  She prompted.
    Gion’s eyes went to her pink Hello Kitty watch and then to
the platinum Cartier timepiece that he had fastened to his own wrist.  Ty
expected some nasty comment.  Instead, Gion surreptitiously shoved his hand
into his pocket, so his antique watch was hidden from view.
    That subtle movement caused Ty’s jaw to drop.  It was almost…
unsure.  Except, Gion never felt unsure.  Why would he?
    Gion could do anything. 
    He was one of the strongest Phases alive and he certainly didn’t
give a damn what anyone else thought of him.  The guy redefined the word
“self-confidence” for the ages.  So, why had he concealed the tasteful
timepiece as if he didn’t want her to see that it was so much different