Fantasy of Fire (The Tainted Accords Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

the bad news and the annoyance of having wasted time on a fruitless pursuit. The veil scratches against my skin from where I’ve stuffed it down my suit. At least there wasn’t any indication Adox would disclose my secret—for now. I knew I’d just opened a door I could never close. I may even regret it in a matter of weeks. I’d analyze the repercussions with Jovan and Olandon when I get back to Sector Six.
    * * *
    In an attempt to distract myself from the monumental importance of the Ire leader’s decision, I spend the day visiting the people I grew to know around the Ire. That’s what I tell myself, anyway; that I’m not searching for weaponry and Kedrick’s killer. I help for a couple of hours at the nursery, mindful of the Ire’s way of life; those who pull their weight are welcome to a share of food and supplies. And when I can’t find any trace of arrows, I even try to seek out Hamish to offer another apology, but he’s made himself scarce. With no one else to visit or help, I head out to Nancy’s Island.
    Jimmy gives me a wide-eyed glance as I land. I didn’t need his added warning that his mother is pissed.
    “You’re not welcome here!” his mother calls. The overweight woman bustles to where I stand, glaring at me and at Jimmy.
    “I’ll say what I have to say and then leave,” I continue before she can interrupt. “Adox won’t agree with my telling you this, but I don’t think the news will be secret much longer,” I start.
    The larger woman puts her hands on her hips and waits for me to continue. Red splotches color her cheeks. She’s furious with me and has every right to be. Jimmy shouldn’t have left the Ire, but part of the blame is mine. I’m certainly at fault for encouraging the young boy to disobey his mother and leader. Solis knew this woman could use some help with her children. It was the reason Jimmy always got away with breaking the rules. Not for the first time I question where the children’s father is.
    I clear my throat. “Your son is one of the bravest boys I’ve ever known. I want to make sure you grasp what the effects of his actions will be,” I say. “You know the Solati are making their way to Glacium. What you don’t realize is my position close to the king of Glacium.”
    Nancy starts, her mouth dropping open.
    “Your son, through unsanctioned actions with the best intentions, has just saved hundreds of lives. You see, the king had received a false message from the Tatum accepting his peace proposition. His army isn’t even in the First Sector. Who knows how many would have died if Glacium was caught unawares, as the Tatum intended.”
    I haven’t bothered to unstrap myself from my Soar. I wink at the miserable Jimmy, mouthing an “I’m sorry” as I walk to the edge.
    * * *
    I finally track down Hamish. He’s at the Training Island where we’d spent weeks together as he taught me how to fly. A sheer cliff makes up one side of the rock, while the other side is a series of gradually deepening steps. I still remember the bruises from crash-landing onto them. It turned out the only way to force my body to go against its normal instincts was a life-or-death situation. I’d saved a toddler, Cara, who fell off Nursery Island.
    “Miss our flying lessons?” I ask as I sit beside him. He stiffens and remains silent.
    “Hamish. Can we talk about this?” I prod.
    “It seems everything I want to talk to you about is some kind of secret,” he says with a pout.
    I repress a sigh. You’d never know he and Jovan were of a similar age. It’s the difference between being allowed to grow up and being forced to grow up. “Look, I value your friendship and I want things to be easy between us, as they once were.” I peek into his eyes, searching for the friendliness I used to find there. What I find is a stark contrast to that. The distance sits oddly on his face, like he’s unpracticed at maintaining anger.
    He sniffs and looks away. “It doesn’t seem you