"Maria V. Snyder - Yelena 02 - Magic Study" - читать интересную книгу автора (Snyder Maria V)

тАЬValmurs. Very intelligent and playful. There are millions of them in the jungle. TheyтАЩre curious, too.
Remember how they spied on us from the trees?тАЭ

I nodded, recalling the little creatures that never stood still long enough for me to study. In other rooms, I
spotted more animal replicas made from different colored stones. A hollowness touched my throat as I
thought of Valek and the animals he carved out of rocks. I knew he would appreciate the craftsmanship
of these stone statues. Perhaps I could send one to him.

I didnтАЩt know when IтАЩd ever be able to see him again. The Commander had exiled me to Sitia when he
had discovered I possessed magical powers. If I returned to Ixia, the CommanderтАЩs order of execution
would be in effect, but he had never said I couldnтАЩt communicate with my friends in Ixia.

I soon found out why we hadnтАЩt encountered anyone on our journey through the village. We entered a
large, round common room where about two hundred people gathered. It appeared the entire settlement
was here. People filled the benches of carved wood that circled a huge fire pit made of stone.

Talk ceased the minute we entered. All eyes focused on me. My skin crawled. I felt as if they were
examining every inch of my face, my clothes and my muddy boots. From their expressions, I gathered I
wasnтАЩt meeting expectations. I stifled the desire to hide behind Irys. Regret that I hadnтАЩt asked Irys more
questions about the Zaltanas thumped in my chest.

At last, an older man stepped forward. тАЬIтАЩm Bavol Cacao Zaltana, Elder Councilman for the Zaltana
family. Are you Yelena Liana Zaltana?тАЭ

I hesitated. That name sounded so formal, so connected, so foreign. тАЬMy name is Yelena,тАЭ I said.

A young man a few years older than I pushed through the crowd. He stopped next to the Elder.
Squinting hard, his jade-eyed gaze bore into mine. A mixture of hatred and revulsion creased his face. I
felt a slight touch of magic brush my body.
тАЬShe has killed,тАЭ he called out. тАЬShe reeks of blood.тАЭ

Chapter Two
A collective gasp sounded from the crowd of Zaltanas. Abhorrence and outrage gripped the now hostile
faces in the room. I found myself behind Irys, hoping to block the negative force emanating from so many
eyes.

тАЬLeif, you always tend toward the dramatic,тАЭ Irys admonished the young man. тАЬYelenaтАЩs had a hard life.
DonтАЩt judge what you donтАЩt know.тАЭ

Leif wilted before IrysтАЩs gaze.

тАЬI reek of blood, too. Do I not?тАЭ she asked.

тАЬBut youтАЩre the Fourth Magician,тАЭ Leif said.

тАЬSo you know what IтАЩve done and why. I suggest you find out what your sister has had to deal with in
Ixia before you accuse her.тАЭ

His jaw tightened. The muscles on his neck pulled taut as he swallowed what might have been a reply. I