Read Breaker (Ondine Quartet Book 4) for Free Online Page B

Rhian’s passing —“
    “Cancel it.”  
    “And several believe it’s important to hold it, now more than ever,” he finished.
    “What do you think?”
    He didn’t hesitate. “We should hold it.”
    “Can’t we just end it? Burn the tradition?”
    “In the history of Haverleau, the Governor’s Ball has never been cancelled.”
    “Except for that tiny massacre last year,” I muttered.
    “Well, yes, but that was an exception and technically the ball did take place.”
    “Here’s a thought.” I spread my arms. “We can have it and I just won’t go.”
    A stifled laugh came from the driver’s seat.  
    His mouth quirked up. “Unfortunately, I don’t see a way for you to get out of this. An event like the Governor’s Ball tends to imply the presence of the actual Governor.”
    The beginnings of a headache throbbed behind my left eye.
    “If I may make a suggestion.”
    I rubbed my forehead. “Please.”
    “The Redavi crave stability. Events over the past year have been overwhelming and changes have occurred rapidly. They want to believe parts of their lives still remain untouched by war. Give them a normalcy they can believe in.”
    “Even if it’s a lie?”
    His expression sobered. “Sometimes the lies are what allow us to discover the truth.”
    Holding a formal event for Redavi to gloat about how fabulous they were made me nauseous.
    But we needed political support. And in order to receive it, we needed to demonstrate an act of good faith.  
    My objective was to end this war and if giving them something to dress up for would get me there, then I’d be the first in line for canapés and hors d’oeuvres.
    I glanced out the window. The rain had stopped.  
    “All right. But let’s make sure everything is in place.”
    Jeeves nodded. “I’ll have Garreth and Julian begin security preparations.”
    Anxiety twisted my stomach. It was a hollow gesture at best.  
    If the Shadow chose to attack, there was nothing we could do about it.
    The numbers hang high where red towers over sea. Can you find me now?
    My mind had cycled through those phrases countless times this week. Aubrey and Ian had scoured the web, searching for any possible references.
    Nothing.
    What I needed lay behind those cryptic words. Until I figured them out, instinct told me the Shadow wouldn’t attack Haverleau.
    This was a game to him. A win didn’t count unless you earned it fair and square. Sportsmanship was the first rule of any competition.  
    Cheating meant wondering if you truly were the better player. And the Shadow wanted there to be no doubt he beat the sondaleur .
    Find me, Kendra.
    What kept me up at night were the thoughts of what might happen if I couldn’t.
    The car pulled into the gated Governing Complex. The white exteriors of the interlocked buildings had turned beige from the rain, the cobblestones slick and dark.
    Royal gardinels and other governmental employees hurried across the courtyard, busy completing preparations for the confirmation ceremony. A general emptiness hung in the air, the vacuum left behind by sudden tragedy.  
    We walked up the grand marble steps to the Governing House’s ebony doors. Behind me, I felt the slight pause in activity, the eyes boring into my back.  
    I straightened my shoulders.
    Jeeves left to handle the final details for the event and I headed down the main corridor to the back door. The walls closed in. Gardinels, chevaliers, and other employees murmured or nodded as I passed.
    I didn’t know any of them.
    The mildly claustrophobic sensation faded as soon as I entered the Royal Garden. Cheerful poppies and friendly sunflowers danced, merrily greeting me despite the dreary weather.
    The guest cottage’s red roof glistened. A gardinel with short, dark hair stood at attention next to the front door, his expression blank. A garnet pedaillon peeked out from beneath his shirt.  
    I stopped. “I’m Kendra.”
    “Morgan.”
    “You don’t have to stay.”
    “Prince