Wings of Tavea Read Online Free PDF

asked, “If it turned into a dragon, could it blow fire?”
    “If you were convinced enough, I think so. Even after you get past the illusion, you must be careful. They are masters of potions.” Drustan shook his head. “They have a potion for anything you can imagine.”
    “Potions . . . ” Kiora trailed off, her pace slowing. “In my vision it looked like Emane’s mouth was forced open. He struggled, like he didn’t want to swallow.”
    Drustan growled. “Not good. It could’ve given him any number of things.”
    “I don’t understand. Why would an Illusionist want Emane?”
    “That’s the question, isn’t it?” Drustan said, grabbing her arm to remind her they needed to keep moving. “They are an interesting species and have worked for a number of different magical groups through the years. I have been gone for so long. They could be working for anyone right now.”
    Kiora jumped over a fallen log, breathing hard from the pace. “They work for others?” she asked. This new world was not treating them favorably thus far. First the Aktoowa, now the Illusionist, and they hadn’t even been here twenty-four hours.
    “Of course,” Drustan said. “This world functions just as yours did. Your village had bakers and metal smiths, butchers and wood workers. We have our jobs here as well. Shapeshifters, for example, are craftsmen. The Illusionists are usually hired, by those who can afford it, for any number of jobs.”
    Kiora jerked to a stop as she entered the area she’d seen Emane chase the furry animal into. “This is it.”
    Drustan looked around and knelt next to a tree. “He was here,” he said, holding up Emane’s sword. “Can you feel anything?”
    “What am I looking for?”
    “Any threads or magical residue. Illusionists’ threads are too faint for me to feel unless they are very close. But you might be able to.”
    Kiora walked around the area, trying to feel anything that would help. She stopped where the Illusionist had picked up Emane. There was something . . . faint. Very faint. And it seemed to be fading as she stood there. “I can feel it.”
    “Good,” Drustan said, setting Emane’s sword down. “You can summon the sword later. For now, follow what you’re feeling,”
    Kiora focused all her energy into tracking the Illusionist. “Why can’t I feel Emane’s thread?” she asked, moving as quickly as she dared.
    “Illusionists can mask the threads of others.”
    “But not their own? That seems—” Kiora stopped abruptly. “I lost it.” She ran forward, whirling around. “I lost it!”
    “Kiora,” Drustan said firmly, “calm down. Getting upset will not help find Emane. Relax. Search.”
    She took a deep breath. “If I lose him …”
    He grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her gaze back to his eyes. “I know. We will not lose him. Calm down and find it.”
    “All right.” She closed her eyes, breathing deeply through her nose, her fingers anxiously pulling at the hem of her shirt. She reached out again in all directions. There was nothing. “Drustan—” A tear dripped down Kiora’s cheek. She hastily brushed it away. “I can’t find it. He’s gone.”
    Drustan’s eyes darted around, his eyebrows pulled together in thought. “It must have realized we were following it.”
    “Can it bubble?”
    “Not exactly, but as I said, they are a master of potions.” Drustan began to morph without warning. Hair grew all over his body, his nose elongating. His body bent forward until he stood on all fours.
    Kiora’s heart rose in her throat despite knowing full well it was Drustan. “Was that really necessary?”
    “I’m sorry. The Hounds have the best sense of smell of any creature I’ve found.”
    The Shifter-Hound sniffed the ground, following the scent trail back the way they had just been. “Bubble us, please,” Drustan said. “We need the Illusionist to think it has thrown us off the trail.”
    Kiora bubbled herself and the Shifter-Hound as they