Druidess Found (Druidess Trilogy Book 1) by Machelle Hanleigh (interesting novels to read txt) 📕

"I will try to get rid of him." He held open the door for her. Jaren's tone lacked confidence that he could accomplish the feat.

"Who is he?" She didn't like being kept in the dark. She needed information, she needed knowledge. She didn't like the tone and fear in Jaren's voice either.

"I'll explain later." He opened the door to the bedchamber and instructed her to use the private stairs which lead to the room she called the library and he the solar. "Go! Hurry!"

Kaily glanced behind her only to see Jaren sprint out of the bedchamber through the main door. She turned and ran towards the door that led to the solar. Something in Jaren's tone and posture gave speed to her feet as she hurried to what she hoped would be a safe sanctuary.

She made it to the solar. She breathed a sigh of relief to find the room empty. She rushed to the wooden door and looked for a way to blockade it. She noticed for the first time the slide lock on this door, firmly slid into place. She leaned heavily against the door and tried to catch her breath. Her legs felt weak and rubbery. She felt on the verge of collapse.

She startled from a loud, firm knock on the door she leaned against. "Aye," she called out in a harsh, unintentional tone. Fear lodged in her soul and made her tremble.

"Mistress, Ener demands an audience," Jaren called through the door. She could tell he spoke in a loud voice, which she thought might be the only way she would hear him. The door felt thick and heavy. It didn't even budge when she leaned her full weight against it.

"I'm busy. Tell him to come back later." Kaily said as loud as she could to be sure Jaren heard her the first time. "In a week or so," she said under her breath. She felt her heart pound in her chest and held her breath as Jaren repeated the message. She couldn't quite make out what this Ener person said. She thought maybe because he was not next to the door as she suspected Jaren might be, and he didn't seem to speak as loud as Jaren. She could make out the tone of his words. A cold fear passed through to her soul. She pressed her ear hard to the door and listened. The door didn't creak. She heard sounds of heated words exchanged. Jaren lowered his voice enough that she could not make out what he said, nor could she make out Ener's replies. Then silence. She concentrated on what might or might not be going on in the corridor in hopes of gathering some clue how the exchange went. She heard nothing. No sound of movement. No words spoken. Just silence.

Kaily screamed when Jaren touched her shoulder and found his hand covering her mouth. He frowned down at her.

"Shhh! It's me." Jaren said in a hushed tone as he took his hand from her mouth.

"What happened?" She asked.

"He's leaving," Jaren said, "for now."

"What do you mean for now?" Kaily didn't feel safe or happy in the least. Not that she felt safe in the last week. Now, she felt less safe and that said something.

"For now," Jaren repeated. "Ener is the kind of trouble that not even the Mistress likes to deal with."

"Great! Just great!" Kaily pushed past Jaren and ran up the stairs to the bedchamber. "Fantastic!" She muttered. She paced the length of the room. "Now, what am I supposed to do, Jaren?" He followed her. He stood by the hearth where he watched her pace.

He shook his head. "I don't know."

Kaily would tell him just how helpful he was not being. Never mind that Jaren did get rid of Ener, for now. Fear took a firm hold in the pit of her stomach. She focused her efforts keeping her heart in her chest and calming her breathing. She felt one massive panic attack coming on and there would be little she could do about it. She was afraid, more afraid than she ever felt in her life.

Jaren stepped in her path, placed his hands on her upper arms, and held her in place. He waited until she made eye contact. "I don't know, but I swear I will do everything within my power to prevent harm from befalling you."

She wished she could say it made her feel better, but she couldn't. She heard fear in his tone when he spoke of and to Ener. Even now, she heard the tint of fear in Jaren's tone. She couldn't ignore it. She nodded. Things flowed through her mind she wanted to say, but none of it would help. She was afraid. She was trapped. Her words sparked by fear and frustration wouldn't change it.

"Are you going to be okay if I leave?"

She nodded. She didn't want him to leave, but she guessed his duties wouldn't keep. Her emotional state probably prevented him from doing any of them. She nodded again.

"Okay. I will check on you later. Try not to worry. Somehow we will figure something out." Jaren stopped at the main door and glanced back at her.

Kaily nodded. She watched Jaren walk through the door and close it behind him. She sat in a chair by the hearth. She remained there for the day. The serving women brought food and took it away later without her touching it. Jaren checked on her a few times and she always nodded when asked if she was alright. That night she crawled into bed. The fear took a deeper hold. She was screwed and she knew it.

Chapter Five

Moto woke to an intense fear running through his veins making him cold to his core. His heart raced and his breathing came in shallow breaths. He swore he felt in the midst of a panic attack. He did not have panic attacks. He separated his emotions from his awareness to focus