Read Online Bound by Roses (The Bound Series Book 1) by Jonathan Lazar - Free Book Online Page B

mortal garments must not weigh one down. Her bronze dress slithered to the floor. She was naked before the Seven. In the light of the pool, the heap of dress shimmered brilliantly. Marguerite tried to think of what the sparkling dress reminded her of, but she could not. Her mind cared not for imagery, only answers to questions. An involuntary chill ran through her spine as she imagined putting herself into the water fully.
    “Then you wish to know the identity of who leads them?” Another of the Seven, one that had yet to speak, asked, breaking Marguerite of her wandering mind.
    She wasted no time stepping and dunking both ankles into the near ice-cold water. Her body shivered violently. She instinctively wrapped her arms around her chest for any amount of warmth. She always wondered how the pool stayed so cold. Marguerite assumed a magic that was behind her comprehension. Another chill ran through her.
    The Seven, she could tell stared at her, as they always did when she had to acquire their knowledge. Yet, with their heads covered, she could never truly know.
    “I have learned that those that attacked Zhan’ding were under the orders of a proclaimed Wolf Queen,” Marguerite said, cold water waist high. She unwrapped her arms from around her chest, “though I do not know if this is a self-proclaimed title.”
    The Seven talked all at once. Their voices sang and resounded throughout the stone, and water, “Then you have come seeking information of that which we know not?”
    “Must we go through this every time I need information that eludes even you?” Marguerite questioned. She shivered in the water, but did not wrap her arms to get warm. It would have been useless. For the water would be warm soon enough. Once the formalities were ended. Ancient rituals, and laws that Marguerite knew very little about bound the Seven.
    The Seven next to her spoke individually, “Your mother shattered the Talking Mirror for what it knew, Marguerite. We have kept the pieces hidden and safe. The magic it releases is powerful and must only be used under the most dire of circumstances for fear—”
    “For fear that the ancient creature is forever irreparably damaged!”
    Marguerite’s voice cut off the one speaking,
    “A Wolf Queen has arisen, and killed Saledii Red. The House of Red’s bloodline is broken,” Marguerite continued towards the center of the pool. The water grew deep with each step, “The fate of the realm rests with what he can tell. Now allow me to speak to him!”
    A moment of silence, and contemplation amongst them, and a moment more of Marguerite’s teeth chattered slightly before the Seven acted in unison. They bowed their heads and raised their arms into the air. Their voices hung upon the smoke that swirled like mist, “as you wish, Lady White.”
    The pool of water only reached just below Marguerite’s breasts. Ebony hair was almost silver in thepoo l’ s aqua light. Her teeth chattered, but stopped when the water’s temperature changed from cold to warm. One last shiver ran through her body. She breathed a sigh of relief.
    With their hands in the air, each of the Seven began to hum. One after another each hum slightly higher or lower than the previous. Side to side they swayed. Hands never touched. Repelled by magic. The hums grew louder. Hums came from not only their mouths but also the very stone, grass, and moss they stood upon. The mist that hung upon the air became electric. It tingled the back of Marguerite’s neck. Under the hum, for the first time, Marguerite thought she could hear a whispered chorus of voices. It vanished as she concentrated on it. The hums returned, louder than before. None of the Seven took a breath or stopped. The water churned ferociously. Marguerite stopped just short of the middle. The tiny bubbles ceased their formation. The multicolored mist disappeared, absorbed by the grass, and moss. The electricity of the air vanished.
    Seven milky bubbles rose up from the