Treasure of Light (The Light Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page A

sleep.”
    Mikael’s mouth pursed and his eyes glistened with bitterness. Tahn felt sick to his stomach. Gently, he ruffled Mikael’s hair before standing up.
    “I’ll see you in a few hours. I have some arrangements to conclude with a Councilman on Horeb, then I’ll come back and we’ll—”
    “About the prisoner?” Mikael demanded.
    “I’m afraid so.”
    Mikael’s face contorted. “You’re going to hurt Horeb, aren’t you?”
    Tahn opened his mouth to give some quick lie, but no words would come.
    “Aren’t you?” Mikael demanded, bracing himself up on his elbows.
    Tahn blindly studied the boy’s tiny shoes placed so carefully at his bedside. “Sometimes, Mikael, I have to do things I don’t like. It’s just that—”
    “Because the Magistrates tell you to?”
    “Yes. I’m an officer in their fleet. I have to obey orders.”
    Mikael wiped a hand beneath his runny nose. On the verge of angry tears, he said, “You’re a bad, bad man.”
    “Mikael, I—”
    “Go away! I don’t want you here anymore!” He curled on his side and closed his eyes, evading everything Magisterial that filled the world around him. Tucking a finger in the corner of his mouth, he sucked softly.
    Tahn backed away, then turned and strode out the door into the corridor. A handful of technicians walked briskly by, saluting. He returned the gesture hollowly.
    Finally, Iona exited to stand beside him and Mikael’s door slipped closed.
    Tahn pointed a finger sternly. “Baruch isn’t going to come aboard easily. I want a member of your staff on the security team. Have him prepare a dose large enough to handle a raging Orillian lion.”
    Iona nodded contemplatively, fastening his bag. “You’re sure Horeb will turn him over?”
    “I’m damned sure. The Magistrates haven’t given them any choice. And find Dannon. I want somebody to give a positive ID of Baruch. Nobody else has ever seen him in the flesh.”
    Iona threw out his chin indignantly. “You want me to find Neil Dannon? Begging your pardon, sir, but I have more important things to do than turn every female crew member’s cabin upside down.”
    Neil Dannon had once been Baruch’s closest friend and second in command of the Underground fleet until he’d betrayed Baruch during the Silmar battle a few months ago. Tahn’s crew had despised Dannon from the day he’d stepped aboard.
    Angry with indecision, feeling impotent, Tahn snapped, “Then start with the bars, Doctor! I’ll expect a report from you in half an hour.”
    He spun on his heel and headed for the bridge, practically running down the white corridors to the closest transport tube.
    When he walked out onto the bridge an ominous silence descended. Composed of two levels, the room opened around him in an oval. On the lower level, officers sat in twos stationed side by side in four niches. His chair, with its massive array of buttons and computer access links, occupied the upper level, giving him a complete view of every action on the bridge. His second in command, First Lieutenant Carey Halloway, swiveled around to pin him with cool green eyes. A tall athletic woman, her auburn hair hung straight over her brows and fell to her shoulders to brush the epaulets on her formfitting purple uniform.
    Tahn ignored her and turned to his redheaded communications officer. “Macey? Get me that High Councilman on Horeb. Let’s get this over with.”
    “Aye, sir,” Macey responded. The com aura burst to life, glowing like a golden halo around Macey’s head.
    Halloway’s eyes narrowed and Tahn’s jaw muscles jumped at the look she gave him. They’d been arguing for a week, debating the rights and wrongs of the curious orders they’d been getting lately. And just now, he could see that same mutinous gleam in her emerald eyes—as though she were clandestinely saying: Don’t do this. Cole. Only days ago, after they’d scorched the planet of Kayan, she’d stamped into his cabin and demanded a stiff scotch. He