The Defiance of Vim (Catalyst Book 4) by C.J. Aaron (graded readers txt) 📕

conditioned him to the extrinsic feelings. Elias’s response to her emotion was powerful. The pressure of the blade against his neck had eased considerably. He’d felt the tension, the anticipatory excitement that had built in the would-be assassin’s muscles pause, releasing for a moment. Her words seemed to be a salve for the hatred that had overtaken him. The moment was brief. The sharp, stinging pain in his head was all he recalled from that moment on.

“It’s likely that she saved us all,” Jeffers breathed. His voice was hushed, though it dripped with reverence and adoration. His vision moved to the exit of the chamber, seeking the object of his attention.

The tension was still apparent from the garbled conversations from outside. There were several forms silhouetted against the backdrop of a roaring fire, yet the focus of the commotion was elsewhere. He squinted his eyes, peering out of the chamber, searching for details of the happenings without.

Jeffers noted the attention of the mercenary as he snapped from his momentary distraction.

“They’re likely still arguing over what to do with the Lei Guard, with Ryl incapacitated,” he announced. “Elias’s actions have formed quite the rift. There are those among both guard and tribute who are calling for their immediate deaths. More still can’t bear the thought of slaughtering those who only cycles ago were likely friends, or at worst case shared the same indentured fate.”

Andr let the statement settle over him for a moment as he pondered the options. Both sides could make a compelling argument. Still, butchering the unconscious was a task even he cringed to consider.

“Aye. I can see the argument for both.” Andr shook his head slowly. “What of the phrenics? Have they inserted their wisdom?”

“Your companions have said but little,” Jeffers noted. “One has remained on constant watch of the Lei Guard while the other has ventured out into the Erlyn. They seek Kaep. I believe they’re both there now.”

Andr ventured a glance back at Ryl. His face cracked a momentary grin upon the sight of his friend. Ryl would have overturned every fallen leaf in the forest to find her. If only he would wake. He knew there would be no force strong, or foolish, enough to hold him back.

“Thank you again for the help, Jeffers,” Andr said. He patted the mender on the shoulder as he strode toward the door. His path weaved around the bodies of both guard and tributes alike.

The atmosphere outside the makeshift clinic was surprisingly warm despite the darkness that had befallen the land. Andr glanced skyward. His gaze was rewarded by the twinkling of stars in a clear night sky that was visible through the large gap in the trees. The dull light from the moon poured through the opening, bathing the area in a glow that appeared abnormally bright. He shrugged off the discrepancy.

Strange things seemed to follow the phrenics.

Seemed to follow Ryl.

The majority of the massive opening was calm, the bulk of activity focused on one area. Between the moonlight, bonfire, and torches that were suspended from the base of the massive trees, navigating the area was a simple task. His trained eyes captured the shadows of the patrolling guards who stalked along the forest’s edge. All but one of the great hollowed-out trunks were now in use by their makeshift army. The last remained dark, though occupied nonetheless. Andr understood the identity of the temporary inhabitants.

A large gathering, several hundred strong, swelled around the grassy exterior of this darkened shelter. Heated discussion carried through the still of the inner sanctum of the woods. Even from his position, well away from the meeting, it was clear that party lines had been drawn. Verbal arguments from the dueling sides crashed against each other, breaking like waves rolling against the shore. Neither appeared to be making any headway.

As Andr approached, the voices resolved into more than just noise. He quickened his steps as the inflections became more hostile.

“We’ve turned our back on the kingdom to protect you. There’s no stopping those demons in there,” a guard shouted at the group massed before the doorway. From behind him came an echoing of similar sentiment.

“You saw what just one of them did.”

“They’ll kill us all.”

“There’s no hope left for them.”

Andr was surprised to see a handful of tributes mixed in with the lot.

The opposing side stood with their backs protectively to the opening of the tree. Within the shelter, the bound, unconscious shells of the Lei Guard remained. The sentiment here was of mercy. Their numbers were far greater.

Standing in the opening of the tree, arms crossed across his chest, was a veritable mountain of a man. The phrenic, Ramm, stood like a statue, forming an immovable doorway to the captives within.

“These were our brothers. Our sisters. Have you forgotten that?” A man nearly as large as Ramm pushed to the front of the group. The twins flanked him on either side.

For his part, Le’Dral stood in the middle of the two groups. His arms were outstretched as if he were singularly responsible for holding back the tide on both sides. For the moment, he held them at bay. His voice was raised, barking out orders to stand down to his troops, and pleading for calm among the incensed tributes.

Andr was surprised to feel an unexpected surge of anger wash over his body. Having spent enough time with the phrenics, it was clear that the emotion was unplanned. The sensation was unfocused and raw. It was unrefined, pouring out as the stress of the situation pushed its host’s body beyond its limit.

A wave of calm countered the release a moment later. It covered the group with a focused intent. Andr noted Vox appear from the entrance of the great tree before retreating below to stand guard over the Lei Guard within. Though several heads scattered among the assembled crowd turned, searching for the source, or puzzling at the unexpected balm, the tension largely remained. The tone of the raised voices, however, noticeably softened.

Andr