Read Michelle West - Sun Sword 06 - The Sun Sword for Free Online Page A

could see that. But he held his ground.
    Master Levec had claimed that this boy was powerful. Finch wondered what the
word meant; she had had her fill of the powerful, and none of them had the life,
the bright joy and the open vulnerability of Adam.
    "You didn't come to see me," he said, and his chest seemed to shrink by the
three inches he'd grown. The word crestfallen did not do him justice.
    "I didn't come
just
to see you." She reached out and offered him her
hand; he took it. His grip was still tight enough to turn her fingers white.
"But I knew you'd be here."
    He nodded, content. She drew him almost unconsciously to her side, away from
Levec's broad shadow. Straightening her shoulders, she slid her free arm around
him in a ferocious hug. When it relaxed, he still held her waist.
    She didn't know why, but Adam seemed most comfortable around women.
    "Master Levec." She slid into Weston. "I don't know if you've heard from
Alowan—"
    "I've heard," he replied grimly. He turned and shoved his hands into a silver
pail; they came up glistening with water. A towel absorbed it, and became
tangled in his knuckles; he held it as he spoke. "You can speak freely here,
ATerafin. In this room, and in the tower room, if you're ever invited back."
    This was the Levec she was accustomed to.
    "The Terafin," she said quietly.
    "Yes. Alowan has described the symptoms as clearly as possi-ble. He has not
traveled to the Houses of Healing; I believe he is afraid to leave the
healerie."
    "Not the healerie," Finch replied quietly. "The House."
    "To Alowan, they are one and the same."
    "They were."
    "Ah. And now?"
    She shook her head. "Alowan wrote to you?"
    "No."
    "But you said—"
    "I said he told me what he believed I needed to hear. And you, youngling,
know better than to ask
me
how. I will not be questioned by children in
the healerie."
    "Yes, Healer Levec."
    He set the thoroughly wet towel down on the counterpane of the nearest bed,
and followed it with his bulk. Even seated, he was a giant. She wondered idly
what the beds were made of; they seemed far too slight to bear his weight.
    "My Torra is… not good," Levec said, after a long and thoughtful pause. "And
for reasons that should be clear to a young woman in your position," he glared
at the House ring before he continued, "you will understand why I have not
sought the services of a native translator."
    She nodded again, willing to wait until he was ready to speak his mind; it
usually didn't take all that long.
    "Adam," he said. "Tell her."
    "But you said—" Unlike Levec's Torra, Adam's Weston had improved
considerably.
    "I know what I said, boy. Tell her anyway."
    It was clear to Finch that Adam's caution had nothing to do with her and
everything to do with Levec. But he didn't smile when he turned to her; his face
was awkward. Pale.
    "In the hundred holdings," he said dropping his voice and sliding into his
exotic Torra, "many have fallen ill." His glance flickered off Levec's impassive
face. "I went there with Master Levec. And Healer Dantallon went as well."
    Aie. Dantallon was one of the royal healers. He never left
Avantari
,
the palace of Kings. Almost never.
    "Just the three of you?"
    "And about a hundred Kings' Swords."
    Her lips twitched.
    "Also, the Princess Royale."
    She closed her eyes. "Levec," she said quietly.
    "Yes," he replied. Just that. "But it is subtle, this illness."
    The way he said the last word made her hair rise. Gregori ATerafin came to
stand beside her. Levec's frown grew edges. "Gregori," he said coolly.
    "Master Levec."
    "You two know each other?" Finch asked, curiosity bright and shining.
    "In passing," Levec answered. "He's your guard now, is he?"
    She nodded quietly. "He's really observant."
    "He's that." He clearly had more to say—and just as clearly, wouldn't. But he
didn't much care for Gregori ATerafin.
    Finch glanced around the room to avoid the sudden chill. "Angel," she said
severely, "don't touch anything."
    Angel