Read Fractured Darkness for Free Online

an even fabric.
    A thick layer of shadow kept Urad from seeing any details, but he could still participate in the conversation. “Have you dealt with many shapers, Noma?”
    “No, but I have heard of the exploits of two very excellent ones. One of them is the lynch pin to the Sector Guard.”
    “The what?”
    “It is a branch of planetary defense and many of its personnel are from the Citadel.”
    “You are using terms that I don’t understand in that context.”
    “The Citadel. You know, this large building we are next to.”
    Urad continued to speak through the shadows. “This is simply called the city. From what Yahshen has been able to tell us, the city was originally one like any other, but there was an uprising from the pit and the powers broke free and took this place over. The stone shaper built the walls and the folk who lived here were driven out. The city has never had a name.”
    Noma was surprised. “But I thought…never mind what I thought. So, you just wait for new talents to show up outside the walls?”
    Minny smiled. “That is the way it has always been.”
    “We don’t have enough strong powers to go on raids and no idea where to find the ones who need us. What would you suggest?”
    Noma felt a sense of rightness. “I think I know where to look. Is the pit still here?”
    Urad’s voice was cautious. “I will take you there when Minny has completed your new suit.”
    “Good. I need to know what I am getting myself into before I start causing a fuss.” She grinned at Minny and the woman nodded.
    With a flourish, she dropped the shadows and put her hands on her hips. “What do you think?”
    Urad’s eyes gleamed. “Very form fitting. Will you wear your robes on top of it?”
    She reached out and picked up the robes. “I suppose. I do love the colour, though. Thank you, Minny. What do I owe you?”
    “You have helped my sister tremendously in the last two days. I am delighted to help you in any way I can.” Minny winked. “If you leave your original suit with me, I can make a copy. Your robes, those I can make a few improvements to.”
    Noma was a little wary of the gleam in Minny’s eyes, but she was going to have to trust her. “I put my wardrobe in your hands.”
    Minny grinned. “This is going to be very entertaining. I might make myself a suit like yours. It seems something that would keep itself out of the way while one was weaving.”
    Noma chuckled. “I have never tried weaving, but the suit itself would definitely win above blousy sleeves.”
    She ran her hands over her body lightly and smiled at the comfortable feel.
    Minny pointed out the closures on the suit and smiled. “I am done for the night. If you would care to return tomorrow night, I can do another for you.”
    Noma smiled her thanks and turned to Urad. He rose from the chair he had been seated in and offered her his hand.
    “I will show you what you have asked to see.”
    Out in the street, she asked, “Why do you want to hold my hand?”
    “I want to do a great deal more, but this is all I can allow myself. I can feel your power under your skin.”
    She could feel the hot pulse of his through his hand as well. That was part of the distraction.
    Noma cleared her throat as he walked her into the wide doorway of the central tower. “That is where my power resides most of the time.”
    He sent a ball of light into the air ahead of them, illuminating their path. Instead of heading for the upper levels, they unsurprisingly went down.
    They walked in silence, and Noma felt the tension in him when they reached the lower level.
    “Most of us don’t come down here. We do not have good memories of watching friends and family thrown into the pit. Why did you want to see it?”
    Noma made a face as the light showed the wide lid on the floor. “I don’t just want to see it; I need to go into it.”
    His hand tightened on her fingers. “No one goes in and comes out again.”
    She gave him a smile in the shadows.