Heart Thief Read Online Free PDF Page A

scars. Scars covered his body. His uncle had liked the fact that one person he tortured, the boy he hated the most, would always be marked. Ruis couldn’t be Healed by Flair. But his worst scars were inside and unseen. Would his uncle finally succeed in killing him? At least he was now sure he wouldn’t be tortured again. The air of dissension within the FirstFamilies Council ensured that. A ripple of relief flowed through him.
    When he looked up, he noted his uncle’s increasing color, unhealthily red. Bucus snarled his words. “We know this man’s crimes. The theft of the—”
    â€œOne moment,” D’Ash spoke up.
    There was a gasp around the table. The GreatLady was new, of common origin, and perhaps didn’t know her place.
    â€œSeeing the man in chains disturbs me,” D’Ash said.
    â€œYour husband forged those chains for the Null,” Bucus said.
    â€œAnd they’ve served their purpose. Holm and Tinne Holly stand at the door.” Ruis heard the men shift behind him as D’Ash continued. “Outside are stationed several more guards. Ruis Elder cannot teleport, no one can teleport.”
    Because of him, the Null. Ruis’s smile widened.
    â€œT’Ash alone could fell him—” D’Ash said.
    Ruis’s smile faded.
    â€œâ€”but there are three fighting Hollys.”
    â€œI agree,” T’Ash said. “The chains are unnecessary. Our blasers may not work around him, but our swords can pierce him well enough.”
    â€œVote,” called D’Grove. “Let’s vote. Shall Ruis Elder be freed during trial?”
    Only the T’Elders voted to keep him manacled, his uncle shouting “Nay.”
    T’Ash rose and circled the table with a fighter’s grace. He stopped two paces from Ruis. “Do I have your word that you won’t attack when I remove the chains?”
    Ruis couldn’t prevent himself from a minor act of defiance and drama. He lifted an eyebrow and jangled the chains.
    T’Ash gestured to the men behind Ruis. “Holm, Tinne.”
    Ruis heard footsteps. “You have my word,” Ruis said.
    The two men behind him retreated.
    T’Ash took a key from his pocket. With three little clicks and a tug, the irons fell from Ruis.
    Ruis stretched, easing muscles cramped for days.
    As T’Ash took the chains and seated himself, Bucus said, “Ruis, calling yourself Elder, you stand before the FirstFamilies Council accused of the following thefts: theft of T’Ash’s HeartGift, the Captain’s Chalice, the T’Birch emerald necklace, and five Earthsuns from Stickle’s Shop. How do you plead?”
    Ruis rubbed his wrists, made a point of straightening the cuffs that still showed the embroidery of a GreatHouse Heir, widened his stance and replied. “I returned T’Ash’s HeartGift—”
    Ruis sent his most charming smile to Danith D’Ash. “I returned the HeartGift to D’Ash.”
    T’Ash growled again.
    â€œThat’s true,” D’Ash said.
    â€œI would see proof that I stole the rest,” Ruis bluffed.
    â€œArran of Mullin testified you bought an Earth Soil Analyzer for two Earthsuns from him, and Stickle says the gems came from his shop,” Bucus said.
    Ruis shrugged. “Two gems are not five.”
    T’Ash, the jeweler, curled his lip. “Stickle is the scum of my profession. We’re taking Stickle’s word about theft? He beats his apprentices, he weights his scales, and he sells vermeil—gold-coated silver—claiming it’s pure gold.”
    D’Birch’s high voice cut in. “I am missing a necklace, and I vow, this is the thief who stole it.” She pointed at Ruis.
    â€œProof,” T’Oak said softly.
    Proof? Ruis stared, amazed. A GreatLord asked for proof. He’d believed that his trial would be perfunctory.
    â€œI felt the drain of my Flair, then my necklace