Wilde's Meadow (Darkness Falls #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

my blood thrumming in my ears can be heard, but nothing else.
    I take a deep breath. Reveal the sounds to me .
    White sprites rise from the ground around my feet and swirl in small, lazy circles, waiting for instructions.
    “Protect the soldiers while you’re at it … go,” I say, blowing out my breath, sending the old magic into the forest like a gust of wind whirling fallen leaves through the air.
    Our group waits, watches, exchanges looks ranging from confused to irritated, until distant clues we aren’t alone drift toward us on wisps of silvery light.
    Underbrush breaking beneath the weight of slow, thoughtful steps whispers in my ears. Heavy breaths from hours of trudging through the forest on foot warm my skin. Pinecones snap below more careless soldiers, below the feet of people who must have no idea what lies lurking all around them, soldiers who have probably never left the comforts of their base.
    “ Saidear, do you believe they are near ?”
    “ Arland left word with his father they would stop near the Crossing Caves; it is only a mile … .”
    The slim strands of light make a u-turn, heading back into the forest, back toward the direction of the soldiers.
    “Did you hear that?” I ask Arland.
    Staring after the magic, he nods, captivated by what took place. “It was as though they were standing right here with us, but Saidear said they were a mile away.” He turns to me, mesmerizing me with his intensity. “Damn the Leaders of old for banning us from using this magic. We could have spared so many lives with just an ounce of the powers you so easily conjure.”
    “The Crossing Caves … ?” Perth turns around and gulps, glancing up the cliff face.
    Brit marches the remaining distance toward Arland and me, hands still on her hips, eyes narrowed. “Oh no. I do not like the way Mr. Short and Skinny over here just looked up there,” she says, pausing to point at the cliff, then replaces her balled fist on her hip. “ What are the Crossing Caves?”
    “You need not worry, Brit … unless you are afraid of heights.” Flanna speaks for the first time since hacking like a lunatic at her healing tree bark. “Perth here has only crossed this path once in his life, judging by his reaction. When Arland and I were children and on the move, we passed through here many times. He was not bringing you to this cave to rest, but rather to cross the fastest way we know to The Meadows.”
    Flanna spins Brit by the shoulders so she’s facing the wall of rock, then stands beside her. “Inside that dark entrance is a narrow stone path surrounded by a black ravine no one has ever dared measure the depths of. Sure, I kicked a pebble over the edge once, but I never heard it hit the ground. So, are you afraid?”
    Brit flashes a beaming smile over her shoulder, then returns her attention to Flanna. “Of heights, absolutely not. Of you right now … a little.”
    She laughs and pats Brit on the back. “Good to hear, but I believe Perth may have an issue containing his fear. My desired effect has been achieved.”
    “ Flanna !” I shout, exploding into blue flames. “He didn’t deserve that.”
    Arland chuckles and rubs his hand across my shoulders. “Kate?”
    There’s caution in his tone, and I don’t like it. I recognize he’s trying to calm me, but Flanna’s sudden burst of cruelty isn’t welcome. Ever. And it isn’t like her. Taking a deep breath, I focus on Perth’s shaky breathing, on his hands rubbing together, on his narrowed eyes. “You aren’t helping, Flanna. Do you want to scare him more?”
    “I am not afraid of heights, Katriona, nor am I afraid of the Crossing Caves,” Perth says, staring at my Confidant.
    “What is it then?” Concentrating on my magic, on my anger and love, I drive the flames back until they disappear over my heart. “You look afraid.”
    “Only of memories … .”
    Brit snorts. “Okay, so if he’s only afraid of memories and we’ll be crossing some deep ravine