Read From the Embers (The Born in Flames Trilogy) for Free Online Page A

hands above my head. A spark of lust shot through me. I loved the feel of his body on mine.
    His lips were close to mine. “We’re not, although I would love nothing more than to explore what’s under that Kimono.” He dragged a slow, teasing finger along the neckline. My skin was on fire as a breath caught in my throat.
    I was more than ready and willing, but with a heavy sigh, he stopped, letting my hands go. He sat back against the wall with his knees bent in front of him.
    I couldn’t think or see straight. All I wanted was him. I waited, wondering what would happen if I just tackled him.
    “I should probably tell you a few things, like Astral suggested.” His crooked grin peeked out as he avoided my eyes. Why was he changing the subject now?
    I cursed Astral. “Fine.” I huffed and plunged my hands through my hair. “Like what?” I sat up, pulling the Kimono tighter around me.
    “I’ll start with the changes that you probably aren’t aware of. For starters, shortly after you disappeared, word spread quickly about Zordon’s reign in the Hall of Knowledge. All of the Outlaws in the Swamp have moved to the Pyre Lyceum. It’s now central headquarters for all things evil. And to make matters worse, they have banded together to destroy both realms. Even the Polar Magium joined his side. As it stands, all Magiums are basically split down the middle. Zordon and his followers against the last of the Draconta, the Orient, and the Nymph.
    “That’s why we haven’t fought back. We haven’t had the manpower. It has taken all of our strength just to remain safe here. Since you left, we have been attacked twice by factions outside of the Orient. So far, it has been nearly impossible to take action against him, especially in Mily’s realm.”
    His eyes dropped to his hands twirling nervously against his knees.
    I scooted closer to him. “Do you think what Kaede said about the elixir is true? Maybe that’s what Iliana meant about there being another way for me to destroy Zordon. But she said something about you…third of three, so that couldn’t be the answer…” I broke off in thought.
    I didn’t want to tell him that if I didn’t figure out what she was talking about, the chance of me killing Zordon without dying myself was very slim. The very thought made my stomach turn sour.
    He stretched his legs out, crossing his arms over his chest. “I wouldn’t hold my breath, Rory. You saw how the Priests were. And why would they have an elixir like that? How would they have made it?”
    “They do experiment heavily,” I pointed out.
    “I think we should go with what Kaede suggested and focus our intent on the Pyre Lyceum.” He looked at me, his blue eyes narrowed. “Destroying the Pyre Lyceum would throw a wrench in Zordon’s plans. It would stop the attacks on all of those who have yet to be recruited into our army.”
    Put like that, it did sound like the best idea for now. One step at a time.
    “Plus, it would probably take away the manpower he has that helps him with his creations.”
    I almost didn’t want to ask. “Creations?”
    His face grew somber. “It’s just a rumor since we don’t really have any sources, but supposedly he is hauling dead bodies to the Swamp. We don’t exactly know why, but we’ve heard it is to create an army.” He leveled his gaze at me. “An army that can’t be killed.”
    “Zombies?” I couldn’t help the cynical laughter that bubbled out of me.
    He leveled his gaze on me. “I’m serious, Rory. It makes sense. Why else would he want Na’shir? It’s what Necros do—they summon the dead…use death as their weapon.”
    I perked my brows at him and sort of snorted. “A zombie army? Really?”
    He chuckled. “Okay, when you put it like that.” He shook his head, his laughter dying off. “I don’t know. I doubt it would be like what you’re thinking. Like from the movies back home. From what I’ve read about the Necromancers, the dead they raise can