Read Online Bone Season 01: The Bone Season: A Novel by Samantha Shannon - Free Book Online Page A

continued: “The only other dimension is the æther. That’s it .”
    “The æther exists alongside meatspace—around us, not outside of us. This is something more.”
    A frantic laugh bubbled up inside me. “Scion’s gone mad.”
    Julian didn’t answer. Across the room, a Rephaite took Carl by the elbow. “XX-59-1,” she said, “I lay claim to you.” Carl swallowed as he was led to a plinth, but he kept up his brave face. Once he was deposited, the Rephaim returned to their circling, like flimps sizing up a wealthy target.
    I wondered how they were choosing us. Was it bad for Carl to have been chosen so soon?
    Minutes ticked by. The rows dwindled. The whisperer, now XX-59-2, joined Carl. The oracle went with Pleione, seemingly uninterested by the procedure. A cruel-faced male dragged the palmist to his plinth. She started to cry, gasping “please” over and over, to no avail. Soon Julian was taken. XX-59-26. He shot me a look, nodded, and went with his new keeper to the plinths.
    Twelve more names were changed to numbers. They got to 38. Finally there were eight of us left: the six amaurotics, a julker, and me.
    Someone had to choose me. Several of the Rephaim had examined me, paying close attention to my body and my eyes, but none had claimed me. What would happen if I wasn’t chosen?
    The julker, a small boy with cornrows, was led away by Pleione. 39. Now I was the only voyant left.
    The Rephaim looked to Nashira. She looked at those of us who remained. My spine pulled tight as rope.
    Then the one that had watched me stepped forward. He didn’t speak, but he drew closer to Nashira, and his head tilted toward me. Her eyes flicked to my face. She raised a hand and crooked a long finger. Like Pleione, she wore black gloves. All of them did.
    Seb was still unconscious. I tried to let him slide to the floor, but he clung. Noticing my predicament, one of the amaurotic men took him from my arms.
    Every eye was on me as I walked across the marble floor and stopped in front of the pair. Nashira seemed much taller up close, and the male stood a clear foot above me.
    “Your name?”
    “Paige Mahoney.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “I Cohort.”
    “Not originally.”
    They must have seen my records. “Ireland,” I said. A tremor passed through the room.
    “Scion Belfast?”
    “No, the free part of Ireland.” Somebody gasped.
    “I see. A free spirit, then.” Her eyes seemed bioluminescent. “We are intrigued by your aura. Tell me: what are you?”
    “A cipher,” I said.
    I turned cold under her stare.
    “I have good news for you, Paige Mahoney.” Nashira placed her hand on her companion’s arm. “You have attracted the attention of the blood-consort: Arcturus, Warden of the Mesarthim. He has decided to be your keeper.”
    The Rephaim looked at each other. They didn’t speak, but their auras seemed to ripple.
    “It is rare that he takes interest in a human,” Nashira said, her voice as quiet as if she were entrusting me with some closely guarded secret. “You are very, very fortunate.”
    I didn’t feel fortunate. I was sickened.
    The blood-consort leaned down to my level. A long way down. I didn’t look away.
    “XX-59-40.” His voice was deep and soft. “I lay claim to you.”
    So this man was to be my master. I looked right into his eyes, even though I shouldn’t. I wanted to know the face of my enemy.
    The last of the voyants had been taken from the floor. Nashira raised her voice to the six amaurotics. “You six will wait here. An escort will be sent to lead you to the barracks. The rest of you will go with your keepers to the residences. Good luck to you all, and remember: the choices you make here are yours alone. I only hope you make the right ones.”
    With that, she turned and walked away. Two red-jackets followed her. I was left to stand with my new keeper, numb.
    Arcturus moved toward the door. He made a motion with his hand, beckoning me to follow. When I didn’t come at once, he