Read The Black Mage: Apprentice for Free Online

dinner."
    Ella did not look at my brother as she said,
"Then let's go." She turned to Loren apologetically: "You don't
have to come if you don't want to."
    Loren shook his head, eyes dancing. "And miss
the fun?"
    A flash of irritation flared in my twin's
eyes, but he said nothing.
    The five of us began the walk to the
infirmary. Ella, Ian, and Loren spent most of the time in animated
conversation – my brother and I in awkward silence. Alex kept
stealing jealous glances at Ella and Loren in the back of our group
and I had to kick him to finally get him to quit.
    "Ouch!"
    "Stop glaring at Loren!" I scolded.
    "I wasn't."
    "You were."
    My brother frowned. "Are things serious
between those two?"
    "They aren't courting if that's your
question," I replied tersely.
    "Yet," Alex grumbled. Sliding in closer to me
he said in a hushed voice. "You have to get us alone, Ry. Tell Ella
to go with me when I get the arnica."
    "Why should I?" The last time the two had
been in the same room together was when Ella had walked in on him
kissing a Restoration apprentice. That had been a month ago when
they'd still been courting. My friend had told me all about it
afterwards, sobbing in the barracks and swearing she would never
talk to my twin again. She had kept her word and I never urged her
to try.
    It wasn't the first time my brother had done
this. In Demsh'aa there was a mile long list of the hearts he had
broken in his wake. The difference was that this time my brother
seemed to regret it. In fact, he had even broken down and cried
after a couple of days of silence, begging me to talk to her.
    "I need to explain what happened," Alex
continued. " Please Ry ."
    His blue eyes bore into mine desperately. I
felt a wave of empathy and cursed my twin for his uncanny ability
to elicit sympathy. No one could look into those pitiful blue eyes
and say no.
    "Fine." I gave my brother my most cross
expression. "But if you make her cry I will never help you
again, Alex. Ever."
    Alex's face lit up so much so I cringed.
"Thank you, Ry!" He reached out to hug me and I jumped out of his
way. He chuckled as he realized his mistake. "Forgot about that
arm," he admitted.
    Ten minutes later we arrived at the
infirmary. I found Ella as we entered the building, nodding to the
guards as we passed. The soldiers grinned and Ian snickered.
    "I think you've got admirers, ladies."
    I rolled my eyes and nudged Ella forward. "I
think you should go with Alex. He might need back-up and I can't go
since we are going to need my injury to distract them."
    Ella was immediately uncomfortable. "Does it
have to be me – what about Ian? Or Loren?"
    "Just talk to him." She trusted me. I hoped I
would not regret asking.
    Ella fixed me with a tired expression. "I am
doing this for you , Ryiah – not him."
    "Thank you."
    We found the left corridor. Loren, Alex, and
I immediately crowded the desk. The three of us began chattering
loudly about my arm while Alex and Ella snuck past the attendants
into the supply room. I kept my eyes open for any passing healers
while Ian and Loren continued to talk. Five minutes passed and then
they emerged, proudly concealing a small jar in Alex's fist. The
two of them looked happier. I wondered if things were resolved.
    Ella's eyes caught mine and she gave a timid
smile. I started to return it – and then my face fell as a young
woman in red mage's robes blocked their escape, fixing the two with
a steely-eyed frown.
    "Apprentice Alex, just what do you think you
are doing? Do you have an authorization for that?" The jar and
their guilty expressions hadn't escaped her notice.
    The mages behind us were too busy with Ian
and Loren to hear.
    Alex gave the healer his most easy-going
smile. "Kyra, my poor sister over there is in pain."
    The mage's eyes flickered to me and her
expression didn't change.
    Alex sidled over to the young woman,
unperturbed. He leaned in conspiratorially and stage-whispered.
"Please, Kyra, you wouldn't want Ryiah to suffer, would you?