The Sorcerer's Concubine (The Telepath and the Sorcerer Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

have a good eye.”
    “Is that what you call it?”
    “It’s a remnant from a time when the mountains were an ocean,” he said. “A long time ago.”
    “How?” She briefly shed her fear enough to question. She had always wondered how a shell could have ever been atop a mountain.
    “No one knows,” he said. “But sorcerers who study these things report sensing the energy of ocean creatures in the mountains, and of course, we find things like this. Maybe ancient sorcerers moved the land around.”
    He took a little glass out and squinted into it.
    “What is that?” she asked.
    “A magnifier. Here, take a look.”
    The magnifier made the shell seem almost like the surface of another world. “Why do you carry that around?” she asked.
    “For just this reason. Looking at things. Sorcerers use things in the natural world to create spells, but so much of it remains a mystery. The best way to find a new spell is to study how nature works. How all the components of our world fit together and work in harmony. Sometimes, if you apply those same combinations and processes to spell-work, you’ll get something new and wonderful.”
    “So you’re a sorcerer?”
    “I won’t really feel like a sorcerer until I discover a spell of my own.”
    “I didn’t realize sorcerers had to discover a spell.”
    “They don’t, but…it’s the best way to make a name for yourself. Either way, I can’t pursue sorcery as a profession until I improve my potion-making skills. That’s where the money is.”
    “But for now, you’ll be joining the military?”
    “Just the border patrol, for six months. I have three older brothers, and we’ve all been working for my father, but being the youngest I have the dregs of the inheritance. I need to do something with myself besides overseeing our shipments. This will get me out into the world.”
    The fire was crackling and burning now, giving the room a warm glow. “And you bought me to accompany you during your military service? Is that common?”
    “My father was a soldier once. He said if I was going into the border patrol, all the other men on the patrol would surely be seeking female company in town, and I might be tempted to join them,” he said. “But it’s perilous nowadays. Miralem women can sneak in over the border and use their telepathy to steal everything a man’s got. There are reports of men waking up from a stupor with their eyes cut out, and worse.”
    Even in her sheltered life, Velsa heard plenty of talk about the Miralem people who lived in the northern regions. They were all born with telepathy, and the more talented among them could read and control minds.
    “I suppose it’s their contribution to the war effort,” Grau continued.
    “War? We aren’t at war, are we?”
    “We could be, any minute. It’s all anyone talks about at home.” He shrugged. “So this was all his idea. You, I mean. I really don’t know that I’d visit brothels, but then, I also don’t know how long I’ll be traveling around. It could be years and years. It does get lonely.” He regarded her, his expression turning more serious. “I’ve always been told that Fanarlem don’t have emotions like real people do, but it isn’t true, is it? The way you look at me…”
    “Of course we have emotions,” Velsa said, offended. “All the girls do.”
    “It’s making me feel a little uncomfortable that I bought you.”
    “I’ve heard people say that about us…” Velsa plucked at the hem of her sleeve. “Some men don’t like to buy such well-made Fanarlem with education. Too much like a real girl…but, I am still a Fanarlem.”
    At this point, Velsa knew, she should assure him that she was happy to do anything he asked of her, that she was his willing servant because it would cleanse her tainted soul. But some rebellious part of her never liked to voice those sentiments, and she even now she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
    “I understand that your karma is improved by