Read Online Minutes Before Sunset by Shannon A. Thompson - Free Book Online Page B

also poison us.
    “I can handle it,” I said, forcing my voice through clenched teeth.
    “I’m not so sure,” he said, digging his nails into my shoulder, and, as if to prove his point. I lurched over in pain, gasping.
    Urte slammed his hand against the wall. “Elder or not, you have no right to hurt this boy.”
    “He isn’t hurting him, Urte,” Eu said.
    Urte shook his head. “I’m an elder just like you, Eu,” he said, and I stumbled back, leaning against the wall for support. “Eric doesn’t need this sort of a test yet.”
    I held my hand up, silencing them. “If they think I need it,” I said and sucked in a breath. “I’ll believe them.” I will not be weak. Not in front of them.
    Luthicer hummed. “You’re either brave or very foolish.”
    “What’s the difference?”
    The room silenced, and Luthicer knelt in front of me. “That kind of talk can be used against you, Shoman.”
    My lip curled. “They can’t use anything against me,” I said, and Luthicer squinted.
    “What about love?”
    Abby. “I have no love,” I said, shoving the loss away. “I haven’t had love in a long time. Not for anybody.”
    Luthicer’s face turned, and he focused on my father. “You, at least, raised the boy right.” Then, he stood, pointing at Urte. “But you,” he said. “You haven’t begun his training.”
    Urte straightened. “I was planning on starting soon.”
    “Planning does nothing,” Luthicer said. “You start soon. Understand?”
    “Don’t forget we’re equals,” Urte said, his chest rising.
    Luthicer’s brow scrunched. “So act like it then.”
    My father stood and pushed himself between the men. “This isn’t about you two,” he said, his black hair springing into the air. His eyes radiated as he glowered at Luthicer. “Shoman will start training with Urte soon—as long as Eric agrees.”
    Everyone turned to me, and I winced. My spine was squeezing. “I can do it,” I said.
    “This is a serious decision, Eric,” he said. “If you do it when you’re not ready, you’ll only injure yourself.”
    I hesitated for the first time that night. In the corner, Jonathon was pale, his working eye widening behind his thick glasses, and I knew he realized what I had. Our fathers were just as capable as Luthicer, and Darthon—the second descendant—was worse than them. He was more powerful than our elders, just as I was supposed to be, but I wasn’t even close to meeting that power. If I was going to survive, I needed to be stronger.
    “I will try,” I said, wincing as my voice strained against my throat. Whatever Luthicer had done to me resonated. The pain was worsening.
    “Then it’s decided,” Luthicer said, stepping back and clasping his hands together. “Eric will begin his training.”
    I clenched my teeth together, while my father guided the men to the middle of the room. “So this meeting is over,” he said, and both men nodded.
    “We’ll be within calling distance,” Eu said, and then they were gone—without even bothering to say their goodbyes to me. The shadows spiraled and dissipated. When I was positive they were long gone, I collapsed.
    “What the hell did he do to me?” I asked, grabbing my scalp.
    My father shoved water in my face. “Drink it,” he said, and I gulped it as he explained. “It’s a torture illusion; you’re okay.”
    “You mean,” I choked, hitting my knee as I caught my breath. “That wasn’t even happening?”
    “It attacks your nervous system,” he confirmed, shaking his head. “It’s probably the most commonly used spell. You’re not hurt.”
    I lay back, groaning. “I hate that guy.”
    “Roll up your sleeves,” Urte said, and I fell out of my shade form as I obeyed. Urte ran his fingers across my bruising skin, glowering at the red marks Luthicer left behind. “He had no right.”
    “The power he used,” I breathed. “Does Camille—”
    “She’s capable of it,” my father said, cringing. “I’m afraid she