Twisted Enchantment (Unbreakable Force Book 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

even I can’t stomach what they do with the magic.”
    “Does it involve kidnapping children?” I glanced worriedly in Dahlia’s direction. She was watching the brigand, her eyes huge in her pale face. I wasn’t sure how much of our conversation she understood.
    Fyrsil nodded. “Yes. The Twyli are ruled by a king. He has two children, a son and a daughter. Twins, I believe.” He chuckled ruefully. “They have discovered a power that could possibly match the sky jewel in strength.” He paused, looking at me with narrowed eyes. “You don’t happen to still have it, do you?”
    I shook my head. “I gave it away.”
    The brigand king groaned, running a hand down his face. “You would . Pity. It would have come in use here.”
    “You’ve been to Twyarinoth?” I asked.
    He shook his head. “I’ve heard enough rumors to lose any interest I might have had in visiting it.”
    “Why do they take children?” I asked.
    Fyrsil’s eyes flickered over to Dahlia. “Perhaps the girl is hungry.” He motioned to one of the fires closer to the center of camp. “There is food for her, there.”
    I took the hint. “Please get Dahlia some food, Aaric.” When he hesitated, I added, “You can bring a plate for me after she’s finished.” Aaric nodded and took Dahlia over to the cook fire.
    Fyrsil watched them go. “You chose that scrawny man over me?”
    “He’s not scrawny,” I said irritably. “He’s lean, but he’s strong enough.” I narrowed my eyes. “You keep changing the subject, Fyrsil. What is wrong with the Twyli?”
    Fyrsil sighed. “The Twyli use the children to make their magic stronger.”
    “What? How?” I wrinkled my nose, trying to work my mind around it.
    “I don’t know exactly how they do it, only that they do. And the children don’t survive.”
    “That’s ridiculous,” I said, but chewed my lower lip, thinking. It was madness, but then, I’d seen the Twyli themselves. One tried to take Dahlia. “The Twyli. Do they have yellow eyes?”
    Fyrsil looked stunned. “You met the prince? Where? Only the twins have golden eyes, as far as I’ve heard,” he explained. “Them and the king. I think it has to do with the extraction. They’re the only ones of the Twyli who are allowed to use the magic in that manner. Perhaps some in their inner circle do as well, but I’m not sure.”
    “What do they ‘extract’?” It was an effort not to shudder. I felt sick inside when I thought about what could’ve happened to Dahlia if I hadn’t intervened.
    Fyrsil shrugged. “They take what they call ‘essence’ from them. I don’t know what it is, their soul, maybe? I can’t willingly harm children—or anyone—in that fashion, or support those who do, even if they’re the leading authority in the land.”
    I shivered, despite the fire, and wrapped my cloak more snugly around myself.
    “What are you going to do?” Fyrsil asked me.
    “I don’t know,” I admitted. “I need to think on it.”
    “I should have you killed.” He sighed and stretched lazily, his arms above his head. “After stealing the sky jewel and taking my kingdom from me, you have a lot to answer for.”
    I looked at him warily, but he continued as if he hadn’t noticed. “You did, however, free me when you could have left me to rot in prison or be enslaved by those fools. I suppose I’ll let you live.” He gestured to the tents. “You may stay here for a while at any rate.”
    “I don’t suppose we’re allowed to leave?” I stood.
    Fyrsil shook his head. “Not until I know what you plan to do.”
    I nodded and turned away, but paused when Fyrsil spoke again.
    “Make no mistake, Adaryn. You left Ruis for a chance at a better life, but what you’ve stumbled upon here is nothing short of a nightmare.”
    I trudged through the snow to Aaric and Dahlia.

 
    11
    Aaric
     
    A daryn filled Aaric in on the discussion she’d had with Fyrsil after Dahlia fell asleep. The toddler lay between the two of them,