Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

goes.
    Julia slapped the wall. She didn’t want to just go along and wait. Sinking to the floor, she put her head between her hands. She’d never been in a position like this, and she didn’t like it. It made her feel weak.
    With a click, the lock on her door disengaged, and a white robe appeared. Julia stood up, and he flinched. His reaction made her smile. At least, they knew she was dangerous. And, in return, it gave her a modicum of confidence. He picked up the chain as if it were attached to a viper and unlocked the cuffs from her wrists. She rubbed her chaffed skin.
    “Dr. Lawless would like to see you,” he muttered.
    My turn , she said to the Theo and Valera.
    Theo shouted, Don’t do anything stupid, Julia. This may be our only way out.
    You wound me, Theodora. Have a little faith . Julia grinned.
    “Well, by all means, my good man, lead the way,” she quipped to her escort.
    The guard frowned, in what she supposed was confusion, and held the door open. She followed him down the hall, noting the seven other white robes who just happened to be standing around nearby. She tipped an imaginary top hat to them and smiled. They all seemed to become distracted by invisible tasks.
    The guard took her into a ballroom, where Dr. Lawless stood up from a small table and held out a hand. She took it and gave it a solid shake. Dr. Lawless gestured toward the empty chair. Julia sat down and leaned back. Crossing a foot over her knee and her arms across her chest, she assessed the man. He was scrawny, and his slim, long fingers creeped her out.
    “It’s good to see you again, Julia.”
    She nodded, but kept quiet. The Academy had taught her to disarm her opponent through silent intimidation. An enemy ill-at-ease is easy to manipulate. He cleared his throat – a sign she was winning – and sat down.
    “I’m here to assist you in developing your abilities and to guide you to the true path of Danu,” he droned. Once the guard left and closed the door, Dr. Lawless leaned forward and whispered, “I’m here to help you.”
    “I know. Theo told me.”
    His brows dropped, and his mouth popped open. His confusion delighted Julia. Clearly, Theo hadn’t mentioned their telepathy. Perhaps the expert of all things Danu wasn’t as smart as he thought.
    “How? I just spoke with her,” he muttered.
    “We have our ways.” She winked. “So, Lawly – can I call you Lawly? Good. What’s the plan?”
    He sat back and scribbled in his notebook. Apparently he found something she said worth noting, but what? She tried to maintain her composure. When his hand stopped, he looked up at her and took a deep breath.
    “First, I’d like to assess your abilities. After Professor Scrod is done archiving the artifacts acquired from The Vault , she’d like to discuss them with the three of you. I’ve been told there are some very interesting finds.”
    Julia couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Slammy Magee had stolen the artifacts. “You have the artifacts here? Those belong to the Order… to my father. What right do you have—
    “The artifacts are on their way here, yes. And I promise they will be treated with the utmost respect. Better that they come here and be studied than to remain unprotected in the human world.”
    That was not the answer she wanted to hear, but fighting about the artifacts was futile. These people would do what they wanted, and there wasn’t anything Julia could do. Her abilities were pathetic. She drew in aether and chilled the air in the room. He pulled the collar of his jacket together and rubbed his fingers.
    “Is it cold in here?”
    “Not really.”
    She grinned. Her powers might be weak, but not for long. She’d play their little game, and soon she’d be stronger than Theo and Valera put together.
    He cupped his hands and breathed into them. “Oh, okay then, let’s get straight to it. Let’s focus on the flow of aether. Tell me how you reach out for it.”
    “Well, Lawly, it’s just