Read Online Invincible by Dawn Metcalf - Free Book Online Page A

outlined in the ward’s ghostly light. “Yer on the lip o’ something grand, no mistake, but I wouldn’t trade places wi’ you for all the world.” Her gaze burned as she whispered, “Not for the world .”
    * * *
    â€œA cautionary tale, a shred of hope and an arranged meeting with a mysterious benefactor,” Graus Claude concluded. “Hardly conclusive, but it certainly could have been worse.” He surveyed Stef’s bedroom sourly. His stomach grumbled. “Much worse.”
    In Joy’s absence, Graus Claude had managed to find a tarp, a large bucket and sponge from under the sink, and was currently squatting in the middle of the blue plastic, patting his exposed skin to keep it moist. Their conversation was punctuated with soft, delicate squishes and the pitter-patter of droplets hitting the tarp-covered floor. Joy tried to ignore it. Graus Claude’s eyes dared her to comment.
    â€œAt least we know that Councilex Maia cannot work against you in this matter, given that she swore her oath,” Graus Claude said as two hands wrung out the sponge. “She is honorable...in her own way.”
    Joy might have said that the same could be said about him, but not within earshot.
    â€œSo, what? We’re back where we started? Sitting around waiting?” Joy glared out at the sky. It had been almost no time at all.
    â€œNo, Miss Malone. We have an ally of sorts, a possible expert in your area of inquiry and proof that even without my vast resources at my disposal I remain a force to be reckoned with.” His smile was guileless and proud. “However, I do not believe that Maia has the breadth of experience and understanding of the possible ramifications as I do. Foresight is a skill that comes from large quantities of data that have been meticulously studied for trends over hundreds of years—hence why my investment portfolios often prove so lucrative.” Joy was glad that some of her earnings had been included in one of those portfolios back when she had been working for the Bailiwick. She’d never asked to see what amount Enrique had left her in his will, but had turned it over to Graus Claude at the first opportunity, knowing he would manage it until her twenty-first birthday. Engaging the Bailiwick as her broker was the most grown-up thing she’d ever done, and neither of her parents knew about it. “Yet between Maia’s confirmation of the Council’s position and the King’s declaration, I fear that we are not where we began, but far worse off.”
    Joy stilled. “What do you mean?”
    â€œThe Elementals were beings of chaos, you understand, creatures of the Wild that were true to their most primal nature and disavowed the limitations of rules and obligations.” The Bailiwick squeezed out another sluice of water, wringing the sponge between two of his hands. “The King and Queen removed them from the world, safeguarding both our people and yours. They spoke the Twixt into being and so it was.” He hesitated, a guarded look hooding his eyes. “Similarly, the King and Queen declared that once freed of Elementals, the world would know peace.”
    Joy waited for the rest of the sentence, but there was only silence. “That doesn’t sound so bad,” she hazarded.
    â€œYes, but you see, whatever they spoke into being became the rules under which we survived, absolute and inviolate, as I’ve previously described. Therefore, if there were no Elementals, we would be safe. Ergo, if the opposite were true...” He sighed, a deep rumble of regret. “Then I am afraid that the reverse would also be true, in accordance with the rules.” His icy eyes flicked up to look at her from beneath his prominent ridge. “If a true Elemental returned to our world, then the Folk and the humans would no longer be safe. There would be war between us, and there would be no hope of Return.” His