Mortal Enchantment Read Online Free PDF Page A

you didn’t tell me?” He opened his mouth, but I held up my hand. Every confusing thing he had said now made sense. “That’s why you didn’t want to bring me here!”
    Rowan rubbed his hand across the back of his neck. “No, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t know he was missing.”
    All the anger was suddenly replaced with overwhelming fear. I didn’t know who I could trust. I was alone. I was in danger. Dad was gone, maybe even dead. I crossed my arms, drawing them tightly into my ribs. I tried to pull myself together while my life shattered in front of me. My throat tightened. I couldn't breathe. It was as if all the air had been sucked out of my lungs. At the same time, my mind flooded with questions. What was I supposed to do? I wouldn't even know where to start looking. Was my father attacked? What if he was hurt? “This can’t be happening! I have to get out of here.” My voice cracked as I willed the tears not to release. I pushed my way through the crowd and out the glamoured door. Jarrod yelled something, but I refused to stop. I ran through the forest aimlessly for what felt like miles until I collapsed near a patch of berry bushes. I pulled my knees into my chest and buried my face in my folded arms. I had never felt so alone. I wish Mom was here to help me through this.
    Leaves crunched under the thump of fast-paced footsteps. I tensed when the noise ceased. Rowan leaned against a tree. “Am I always going to have to chase you through a forest? This seems to be a developing pattern.”
    I rubbed my hoodie sleeve across my tear stained cheeks. “This is a nightmare.”
    He stared blankly into the distance. “There are worse things.”
    “Oh, really? Thanks for all that insight,” I said, scowling at him. “Was that meant to be comforting? If so, epic fail.” I was in a strange world with no idea as to who I could trust or what I should do next. How could this get any worse?
    There was a long silence as I watched his expression shift from irritation to something pained. I guess he was contemplating what he was about to say. After what seemed like forever, he bent down and gently placed a hand on top of my forearm. Little goosebumps formed around the area where our skin touched. “I can’t change what has happened, but I will help you find Taron.” He peered over my shoulder. “Let’s start by returning to the council meeting.”
    “Go back? You can’t be serious.”
    He rose, and then held out his hand. “It’s obvious that I don’t trust the fire court, but I still have faith in the council. If you plan to rescue Taron, you’ll need allies.”
    I stood without his assistance.
    If I had to count on the council to find Dad, it was more hopeless than I had imagined. They seemed pretty worthless, but I didn’t know them very well, and they have been in power for centuries. The more I thought about it, Rowan was right. I had to take any help I could get. Playing nice would be my best move at this point.
    I sighed. “Okay, I get it. Let’s go back.”
     

     
    We returned to the council area only to discover it was empty except for Jarrod. The rushing water underneath the wooden planks echoed through the surrounding trees.
    Jarrod leaned against the armrest on Dad’s chair. As we entered, he moved toward us. Beyond the scar running down the side of his cheek, he looked more like a politician in his yellow council robes than the leader of my father’s knights. He appeared to be in his mid-to-late thirties, but thanks to the veil, it was impossible to tell anyone's age.
    Beyond the minor defect, his only distinguishable trait was his short, white-blond beard. Most elementals couldn’t grow them because they remained in Avalon after they reached physical maturity. Dad told me Jarrod had visited the mortal world many times, which was why he appeared older than most. I imagined it must be hard to have to remain in Avalon when there was a huge world outside. Depending on how much I