The Gray Wolf Throne Read Online Free PDF Page B

But it did allow me to get out into the world.”

    it gave Han the prickly shivers to imagine Crow inhabiting his body. “yet you chose to spend your time in a dusty old library,” Han said.

    Crow frowned at Han, looking dismayed. “you remember that?”

    “you left me in the wrong place a few times,” Han said. “in the stacks.”

    “i had only a brief window of time before your amulet was drained completely,” Crow said. “Several times we ran out before i could return you to where you were supposed to be.”

    “well, i thought i was losing my mind,” Han said. “what were you looking for?”

    “i was only trying to stay ahead of you,” Crow said, biting his lip and shifting his gaze away. “you are a challenging student, Alister, always asking questions and demanding answers.”

    “i don’t believe you,” Han said. “i think you were working your own plan. were you maybe looking for a way to seize control of me permanently?”

    Crow’s eyes glittered, signifying that Han had hit on the truth.
    “That would have been perfect. But impossible, it seems.” Crow 30

    p i C k i n G oV e r o L D B o n e S
    closed his eyes, as if reliving it. “Can you imagine it, Alister? Can you imagine what it was like for a shade like me to experience the world again through all of your senses—vision and touch, and smell and taste and hearing?”

    “i wouldn’t have gone to the library, i’ll tell you that,” Han said.

    Crow laughed. “i like you, Alister. All of this would have been easier if you were unlikable. And stupid. you would have been considerably more tractable.”

    “Tractable gets you nothing,” Han said, feeling like a country boy at market. Crow had dumped so much on him that he couldn’t quite see where the holes were. Questions rattled around in his brain.

    “So. i have been uncommonly frank with you,” Crow said, interrupting his thoughts. “now, tell me: why did you come back? Shall i assume that you still want something from me?”

    “i’m on my way back to the Fells to go up against the Bayars and maybe the entire wizard Council,” Han said.

    “All by yourself ? That seems ambitious even for you,” Crow said dryly. “what, exactly, do you hope to accomplish? Beyond flinging your life away.”

    Han knew he had to give a reason that the cynical Crow would understand. A reason that would make Crow his ally, for now, anyway.

    “The Bayars want to put Micah Bayar on the Gray wolf throne,” Han said. “i’m not going to let that happen.”

    “Mmm. The Bayars are nothing if not persistent,” Crow murmured. “it’s a pity young Bayar didn’t die in Aediion.” He paused, peering at Han through narrowed eyes to see if he’d felt 31

    T H e G r Ay wo L F T H ro n e
    the poke. “what is it between you and the Bayars? what did they do to you?”

    “They murdered my mother and sister a year ago,” Han said.
    “They were all the family i had. And, recently, there was a girl, rebecca. My . . . ah . . . tutor. She’s disappeared, and the Bayars are responsible. i think they did it to get back at me.” Crow looked into Han’s eyes. “you poor bastard,” he said, shaking his head. “you’re in love with her, aren’t you?” Damn my readable Aediion face, Han thought, scowling.

    Crow laughed. “Let me give you a piece of advice—don’t go to war over a girl. it’s not worth it. Falling in love turns wise men into fools.”

    “i didn’t come to you for advice,” Han said. “i came to you for firepower. The odds are against me. even if you help me.”

    “you’re coming back to me for help after what happened the last time?” Crow raised his eyebrows. “i thought you were smarter than that.”

    “everything is a risk,” Han said. “There’s a chance you’ll betray me again, but now i’m on the watch, so you’re less likely to be able to do any real damage. The risk from the Bayars, on the other hand, is real and imminent.”

    Crow stood,