Remembered Read Online Free PDF Page A

well, choose one.”
    Galia froze. “Lady?”
    “Go on. It’s to be expected for one who looks like you. Choose one, and be done with it.”
    Galia turned a fearful glance to Mina and Strayke. She couldn’t possibly choose.
    “Make it quick,” the woman barked. “It grows cold.”
    She made it sound as if Galia was a child dawdling over a treat. She dropped her head. Her choice was clear.
    “Mina,” she said softly. “The small girl. The one with the white hair.”
    “Ah. Well, if it was me, I might have picked that handsome man.”
    Galia should have been grateful for the woman’s mercy. She should have fallen on her knees and thanked her. Instead, there was a growing hatred inside, and Galia welcomed it. Brutality sharpened the soul, and made something inside her hard.
    Mina stood still as the drover unlocked her manacle from the chain. Galia was relieved to see that she did not bite the man. But she didn’t look at Strayke. She couldn’t. She could all too easily imagine the look of hatred on his face. She hoped it was hatred, because if it wasn’t, it would be sorrow. Seeing grief and confusion on Strayke’s face would have pierced her in a way that she couldn’t take.
    Mina stood beside her, stepping into a place that was meant for her.
    “All right,” said the woman, all business. “It’s time for us to go.”
    Galia must have let some of her fury at being forced to abandon Strayke show, because the woman smiled as cold as the northern gales.
    “Do you want to stay here?” she said softly. “Do you want to get back in the chains?”
    “No, Lady,” Galia muttered, because it was true.
    The woman’s laugh was soft and strangely delighted. “How you will hate me before this is through. Count on it.”
    As she led them out of the plaza, Mina looked back, but Galia wouldn’t. She couldn’t.

Chapter 5
    T he palace was the most beautiful building in Tenebris. It was incredible, like a giant wedding cake rising up five stories. The edges of each level were intricately scalloped, with delicate, pointed turrets, evenly spaced. Glass windows of all shapes and colors decorated the sides of each level. An occasional balcony jutted out, without any visible supports.
    Their new owner and her wolf swept in as if they ruled there. It occurred to Galia only then, that she did. Galia gripped Mina’s hand, and was aware of many servants bustling about. Some glanced at them before quickly looking away.Their owner hailed a tall and kind-faced woman dressed in a beautiful robe of lilac.
    “The bigger girl needs to be settled in a room,” their owner said briskly. “Find some kind of work for the little, skinny one.”
    “Yes, Oracle,” the tall woman said.
    At the thought of being separated, Galia felt a protest rise up in her throat. For once, however, it was Mina who squeezed Galia’s hand. Mina’s face was game and almost craftily amused. She’d always been a bit of a wild girl, as apt to run in the woods as to do her weaving. Galia prayed that her friend would not run far. The people of Tenebris––their owners––were likely to be far less tolerant than the people of the village.
    The tall woman looked Mina over, her gaze surprisingly gentle.
    “Poor thing, you look half-starved. First we’ll feed you, and then we’ll find a place for you, how’s that?”
    Mina looked as surprised by the kindness as Galia felt.
    “Er, that would…that would be nice, Lady. Thank you.”
    The woman smiled and Galia relaxed a little. Only then did she see the strange, furry creature that hovered near the woman’s feet. Except for its small size, Galia might have jumped back. If she hadn’t known better, she might have guessed it was a raccoon. Though it had the clever hands and a striped tail, it’s eyes were orange and the body thinner.
    The woman must have noticed Galia’s stare.
    “Plouton, my ring-tailed lemur,” she said. She snagged the arm of a passing boy. “Take her to the kitchen,” she