Fractured Darkness Read Online Free PDF

them.
    Fire went first with ice immediately behind them. Water was on the far right, just in case.
    “All right, whenever you are ready, fire at will.” She smiled at her own joke and remained on guard to stifle whoever got out of control.
    Flames of varying hues shot out randomly, some in streams, some in spurts. The bright heat was intense, and the ice talents kicked in, cooling the air around them and everyone else.
    Noma smiled. This is what she had been told the Citadel did. Talents worked together to teach each other and helped personal advancement.
    When the flame talents had flickered out, the ice and water talents got together, and several managed to craft sculptures made with their powers.
    The crowd applauded when they had run their course and the shifters jumped into action. Claws, spines, fur and scales blurred in a frenzy of shredded fabric and practiced control.
    A few false shifts caused a rush from the healers, and Noma watched with attention to detail as the shifters were coaxed out of their half forms and back into normal shape.
    When the physical talents had all had a turn, she smiled at the psychics. “I know you want to try your hand, but I believe a more controlled and less emotional environment might do for you. Separate classes will be necessary for practical application. The telekinetics shall practice lifting a single grain of sand and alternately heavy weights. Empaths should work with the newcomers to determine their state of mind as well as work screening newcomers for specific needs they have not detailed. Telepaths should pick information from the library and have a silent debate club, all on different topics and all in the same room. This will teach shielding. I can give you the basics but cannot demonstrate it for you.”
    The telepaths grinned and nodded.
    “Now, for the three shapers that we have on hand, I am going to set you to tasks that you no doubt have already undertaken. I need a few changes of clothing.”
    Laughter rang out, but one young woman gave her a serious look. “Will you come to my chambers for a fitting? I can make up something in bark and local fibres.”
    Noma looked at her and smiled. “If you are willing, I will be your dressmaker’s model.”
    The young woman gave her a thumbs-up.
    Urad stepped forward. “Noma, we have yet to see how your skills would blend with ours.”
    She raised her eyebrows. “Really? You want to pair up with me?”
    A giggle rolled through the crowd.
    Urad bowed, “More than anything.”
    She beckoned him forward and called out, “Clear the line. This could get messy.”
    They lined up, his right shoulder to her left, and they extended their hands. She placed her hand on his wrist and she glanced up at him. “Ready when you are.”
    She could feel the power surging through his arm and gathering in his hand. She met it with darkness, and when he reached critical mass, they fired.
    Her darkness and his light twisted together, writhing as they rocketed toward the wall. The crowd cried out as the power ripped through the wall and made a rather sizable hole.
    Noma jerked her hand from Urad’s and stepped aside as she cut the power. The hole was dramatic, and it looked as if the power had continued on.
    Urad was next to her as they approached the wound in the stone. “We did that?”
    She nodded. “We did.”
    “Well, as you know all about powers, what would you call this?”
    “Vibrational synchronization. I will just say that it isn’t common, and when it occurs in psychics, it can be devastating to those around them.”
    “How so?”
    “They can broadcast and control others if they are inclined to. It is how entire cities on my world fell to whatever they chose to use to influence them. Paranoia against physical talents was part of it.”
    The walls of the hole were smooth and cool. The track of their power had continued and left a scorched mark through the landscape until she couldn’t see how far it went. “Wow.”
    She