Powers of the Six Read Online Free PDF Page B

“Seventeen? How very interesting.”
    “Interesting?”
    “Well,” he said. “You are seventeen and not in the ranks of the Rol’dan.”
    The blood drained from Nolan’s face. By Brim, he knew. He’d expected as much, but to hear him say it aloud …
    Nolan didn’t notice Emery’s hand supporting his elbow at first. When his head cleared, Nolan gasped and yanked his arm away.
    “Are you all right?” Emery’s muscles trembled as he examined Nolan.
    Nolan’s fears ebbed away. The man could barely stand, let alone attack him.
    Emery staggered to the window, chains dragging, and grabbed the sill for support. “I felt your power last night,” he said weakly. “I must admit, it surprised me to discover you. I had no idea I would find one so powerful, right here in the manor. And your age makes it that much more intriguing.”
    “Powerful?” Nolan asked, still dazed.
    “Why, yes, Nolan. You see, when I use my power on someone, their Shay talks back to me. The stronger their power, the stronger it answers.” He smiled slowly. “Let’s just say your Shay has a very loud voice. And I am most curious to know which Shay it is.”
    His comment slapped Nolan from his numbness. He stared. Emery didn’t know?
    Emery pulled up his sleeve and examined a nasty gash. “You don’t have to tell me, but I’d hoped, very much, that it might be Healing.” He eyed Nolan expectantly. “You don’t have Healing, do you?”
    Nolan didn’t answer him, but his silence apparently satisfied Emery.
    “Hm,” Emery said, “what a shame.”
    Nolan licked his dry lips. “I thought you’d tell.”
    “Tell them of your power? Of course not, boy. Remember why I’m here: I’m a traitor because I left the army. I’m in the business of saving people from the Rol’dan, not throwing them into their arms. Your secret is safe with me.”
    Relief flooded through him, and then a question smacked his mind. He saved people from the Rol’dan?
    “I find those with powers before they take part in the trials,” Emery answered Nolan’s silent question. “Then I give them the chance at a different life.”
    A different life? Nolan’s mind lingered so much on the idea, it took him a moment to realize Emery had asked him a question. “Did you say something?”
    Emery’s expression softened. “I said, I have a favor to ask of you.”
    “I can’t free you,” Nolan answered. “There are guards—”
    “Of course not. This is far more dangerous than helping me escape.”
    Nolan gawked. What could be more dangerous than that?
    “Since you are the scribe for Alton Manor,” he said, “I assume you’re the record keeper for your sector of the Tournament of Awakening?”
    Nolan nodded.
    “I’d like you to watch the new recruits, the ones who come into their powers. Find who might want a different path than the Rol’dan.”
    “And how am I supposed to do that? I can’t read minds.”
    Emery smiled slightly. “So Empathy isn’t your gift?”
    Nolan grimaced. “How am I supposed to know such a thing?” he asked, hoping to redirect the discussion away from his Shay.
    “I believe you’re a good judge of character.”
    Even if he figured out who might be interested in a different life—whatever that meant—how could Nolan keep them from the Rol’dan? Once someone came into a Shay, they were automatically placed into their ranks. Deserting the army marked them as a traitor. Emery was a perfect example of those who avoided the king’s calling. Offering someone an alternative life sounded like a guaranteed way to reveal himself and get killed. Most people wanted to be Rol’dan.
    “Some of my friends will arrive in Alton soon,” Emery said. “I came to Alton to search for Shay users who had not yet come into powers. My friends are meeting me here for the results of my search. But of course, I have found none … apart from you.
    “I’ve struggled this time, finding those with powers,” Emery said. “Something is happening