Read Save Aether (The Trinity Key Trilogy Book 3) for Free Online

there.”
    He scowled at the nickname and sighed, “In detail please.”
    “I think about it and boom.” She snapped her fingers for effect. “It’s there.”
    The doctor groaned, “Fine, fine. Gather it up, and I want you to focus on this pen.”
    She did as she was told. The metallic taste filled her mouth, and she aimed at the quill in his hand. Even though she put all of her energy into it, the only thing she created were wispy snowflakes that floated from her hands and dropped onto the table. The doctor touched one of the flakes, melting it between his fingers.
    “Ice, of course, that explains it.” He raised an eyebrow and tugged on his coat as if just now realizing why the temperature dropped.
    He grumbled under his breath. Although, Julia’s performance was less than spectacular, she grinned. She enjoyed his frustration. A sly smile appeared on his face, and she grew suspicious.
    “You seem to be inhibited.” He scribbled in his notebook. “It’s not surprising really.”
    “What’s not?”
    “Well, simply said, Theo’s powers are clearly more… advanced than yours.” He tapped his chin with the pen. “Perhaps it’s an intellectual variance?”
    “Are you saying that she’s smarter than I am?”
    He shrugged. The steely tang overwhelmed her tongue, and the room became a freezer. Once again, she lashed out at the target, producing more snow. Frustration gripped her, and each time she tried to create ice, she got weaker. This was unacceptable. Theo was not smarter than she. Julia was just too stressed.
    “Stop, stop. You’re going to burn yourself out,” Dr. Lawless said.
    “My inability to perform has nothing to do with my intellect. How is anyone supposed to work in these conditions?” She threw her arms wide. “I’ve been locked up in a tiny cell, without proper amenities or food.”
    Yes, she was in a grand ballroom. Yes, the cuffs were gone. Yes, Lawly over there was treating her with some respect. Yet, she was being held against her will by strangers – the irony of it all. She’d have to remember to apologize to Valera… when it suited her.
    “I apologize for the accommodations. I’ll speak with the True Follower’s council about it post haste. I’m sure we can come to a more amicable solution, although it may take some convincing. You girls are somewhat… unpredictable.”
    “If you can get me out of the cell, and provide some fresh clothes and a bath, then I’m sure my abilities will progress much faster.”
    She wasn’t expecting him to give in so easily. Not that she trusted him, but her resolve was slipping. She rubbed her palms on her pants, crossed her arms, and then dropped them to her lap. He scribbled another note and closed the book.
    “I think we’ve done enough for today. The guard will return you to your cell. Hopefully, we’ll have you better situated soon.”
    The guard ushered her back without ever touching her. She slunk to the ground in the gloom of her prison. A migraine rotted a hole through her skull, and all she wanted to do was rest. Within minutes, the voices started up in her head.
    How’d it go? Theo asked.
    What if I’m next? Valera interrupted. What happened in there? Was it awful?
    Valera, you’re giving me a headache. Please, shut up. Julia snapped. Everything is fine. Lawless says he’s going to help. We’ll see.
    Julia closed her eyes and drifted. Once again, the image of Danu floated around her thoughts. Her voice called out for help. No matter how many times Julia pushed the dream away, it always returned.
    I think… I think someone’s at my door, Valera shrieked, waking Julia from her tormented doze.
    Julia heard several voices outside the cells. One of them was Dr. Lawless. Her door opened.
    “The True Follower’s council would like to speak with you.” Dr. Lawless poked his head into the dismal space. “And I am here to escort you.”
    The guards were gone, although Julia suspected they were close by. She was glad to see