Read Online Magic In The Storm by Meredith Bond - Free Book Online Page A

was so angry yesterday after she returned from speaking with
you. I’ve never seen her like that. She, she said things...” Kat
paused, and took another deep breath.
    Lowering her voice to a near whisper, as she
did anytime she spoke of magic, she continued. “She said that very
soon you would no longer be a threat to me, or to anyone. That in a
little over a month, you would lose any powers you have and become
just an ordinary man, and then the time would be ripe for me to
take my rightful place. Your destiny would be mine for
certain.”
    Morgan felt a tightness developing in his
chest, and anger beginning a slow burn in the pit of his stomach.
He tried to think clearly, but with Kat’s words echoing in his
mind, he just could not seem to form any coherent thoughts.
    “Are you certain?”
    “Yes,” she said in a whisper that left a
taste of anguish in his mouth.
    He turned and walked away from her, facing
the empty wall next to the door.
    He would lose his powers? But what about the
prophecy that had proclaimed his greatness? The seventh child of
the seventh generation... he was that child! That destiny, those
powers, they were his. How could this be taken away from him?
    He spun around to face Kat. “In a little over
a month? My twenty–first birthday is in a little over a month.” In
two strides he was back at her side. He grasped hold of her arms,
anger still flaming inside of him. “What happens when I turn
twenty–one?”
    She looked up at him, her normally soothing
hazel eyes now wide with fear and worry. “I... I don’t know. She
didn’t say.”
    “She must have said something. You’ll be
turning twenty–one on the same day. She must have told you what to
expect.” He gave her a shake. He needed to know. Now!
    “Morgan, please, you’re hurting me!” Kat
cried, twisting her body and trying to reach his hands.
    His anger deflated immediately. He would
never hurt Kat, he loved her with all of his heart. He didn’t want
to hurt anyone—he just needed the truth. He let go of her arms, and
instead wrapped his own around her body. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,
Kat.”
    Morgan could feel his heart pounding in his
ears. He wanted answers so desperately that he was capable of
hurting one of the few people in his life who had ever really cared
for him. Kat, who had always been there for him, who had defended
him against his sisters, and even, at times, his mother. How could
he hurt her?
    But still, he had to know.
    She pulled away from him. “I wish I knew the
answers, I really do. But she said nothing, honestly. I don’t know
what will happen, but I’m afraid that if you don’t have your powers
by then, you will lose what you have for sure.”
    Morgan dropped his arms to his sides. “But
how do I get them? I’ve been trying, practicing, and working on my
magic for practically my entire life...”
    Kat winced as he said the words out loud. He
knew he shouldn’t speak of such things outside of a whisper, but
there was no one here and no one nearby. To hell with hiding—Morgan
had nothing to hide, or, well, nearly nothing. His powers were so
limited.
    “I know. I’ve been the one encouraging you,
but... but maybe I shouldn’t have. Maybe you’ll never...”
    “No! I can’t believe that. I can’t allow
myself to give up.” Morgan’s answer was swift and sure. He may not
have powers now, but he would—it was destined! “You have always
supported me, Kat, ever since we were young.”
    She shook her head slowly. “You know I admire
you a great deal. I mean, the fact that you have continually
tried... and what you’ve done here in the forest, with the animals
and the herbs—it’s just amazing. This is the most vibrant, safe
forest anywhere. Are you certain it isn’t enough for you? Are you
sure...”
    “Don’t even say it, Kat!” Morgan’s voice was
a low growl, but he couldn’t control it. What his cousin was saying
went against everything he had ever lived for, everything he