Commanding Flame And Shield by S.J. Barnett EPUB & PDF Details Online
- Author: S.J. Barnett
- Language: English
- Formats: PDF / EPUB
- Status: Available For Free Download
- Series: None
- Price: Free
- File Size: 4 MB
LOST SOUL
ALVARA
My temples ached as I scoured the broad room, searching for his scent. His
energy. Anything that could lead us to him. But this cluttered shop, with all
its musty aromas, was full of distractions and secrets—just not the ones we
sought.
Dust glittered in a ray of sunlight that sliced through the gloom, but my
attention caught on something beyond it. There was blatant age in the honeycolored wood of the piano, the worn keys looking so loved that they might
break under my touch.
I walked to the corner where it sat, a smile on my face before my fingers
even connected with its weathered surface. My favorite part of my
clairvoyant existence was my gift to read history within objects.
I pulled my long hair back into a bun at the nape of my neck and took a
cleansing breath.
The instant I caressed the intricate Victorian design engraved on the
instrument’s side, my eyes were forced closed, and they plunged me into the
piece’s demanding energy, witnessing flashes of its story.
Dozens of balls, pirouetting figures vanishing into smoke on either
side…A grandmother’s foyer, where her children and grandchildren gathered
to watch, enamored, as her wrinkled hands flew across the black and white
keys…Young children—her grand babies perhaps, now grown a few years—
learning to play, at the side of a woman bearing striking resemblance to the
grandmother, minus a few decades.
Eyes open once more, I slowly stepped around the corner of the piano,
hands sliding onto the keys.
Ahh.
There it was. Thousands, perhaps millions of melodies broke free in my
mind, and I slowed them down, rewinding and fast forwarding until the tunes
were intelligible enough to pull apart and truly appreciate.
“Can I help you, ma’am?” asked a voice with a hint of impatience.
The intrusion abruptly and rudely snapped me from my reverie, forcing
me to yank my hand away from the tantalizing energy.
Sometimes it was easy to lose track of time as I danced through visions
and histories, and humans were sensitive to people holding too still for any
prolonged period, assuming we were suffering a stroke or panic attack rather
than simply observing. We had to make a continuous effort to move for them.
I immediately tucked my fists into my sweater pocket. “No,” I snapped,
my tone sharper than intended.
The woman visibly recoiled, expression affronted as she blinked up at
me. I didn’t have to pry into her mind to feel the insults scrolling through it.
She was shorter than most mortal females, leaving me staring down into
flat brown eyes, her blonde hair tied back, silver pieces weaving through a
braid, and a few stragglers hanging down around her heart-shaped face.
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my own ear and forced my most
winning smile to make an appearance. Softly, I added, “Thank you. No, thank
you, just looking.”
She warmed slightly, though her eyes were still less than trusting as she
mumbled, “Okay, let us know if you have any questions,” and wandered off.
Questions.
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