Read Online On the Meldon Plain (The Fourline Trilogy Book 2) by Pam Brondos - Free Book Online
Authors: Pam Brondos
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time?” His tone was terse.
“I don’t know. Could be a month, but they may run two shows, so it might be longer.” Telling her father the string of lies felt horribly wrong.
“Your mother will not be happy. And what about MC? Do you have any idea how crazy she’s been waiting for you to come home? Even Cal’s been asking about you.”
“I’ll make it up to MC,” she said, unsure how she would make anything up to MC. She doubted Cal cared whether or not she came home, but she was still grateful to her sister for not sharing her breakdown with her parents. She thought back to the dream images she’d shared with her orb. Maybe she and Cal could find a way to be close again.
“Nat, there is more to life than money and working all the time.” Her dad continued his lecture. “I’m starting to think that when you left for school, you decided to leave your family behind as well.”
“It’s not just about money.” It never really was, she thought.“It’s an opportunity I can’t pass up.” She shifted in her seat to avoid pressing against her wounded shoulder.
“How is working on sets in some theater in Canada going to help you? You’re a biology major.” The bus bumped over the bridge and turned onto Grand Street.
She swallowed. She couldn’t explain Soris or any of her problems to him, but she had to say something so he’d understand. “Dad, you know how you’re always telling the three of us to live our lives the right way? It’s hard to explain, but that’s what I’m trying to do now. Trust me on this.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I can’t come home. I really am.”
“I trust you, Nat. I . . . We just miss you. I guess we’ll see you when you get back. I suppose it’s the same bad cell coverage as before?”
“Yeah, it is. Same bad cell coverage.” She watched the town slip past as she said good-bye to her dad and the bus brought her closer to the entrance of Fourline. Thinking about home, she walked to the costume shop, where she met Barba at the back entrance.
Barba left her alone as she dressed. She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection. She took in her tightly braided brown hair, the drape of her new cloak, and the flash of the dagger sheath hanging from her belt. Her orb spun next to her wounded shoulder. She turned away from the mirror, letting her thoughts of home disappear with her vanishing reflection.
“How are you feeling?” Barba asked as Nat walked into Ethet’s laboratory.
“I’m petrified.” She looked at the shadowy entrance to the tunnel and swallowed.
“Good.” Barba adjusted the clasp on her cloak. Nat glanced at her right arm and wiggled her fingers as Barba fussed over her. Her exposed Warrior markings twitched with the movement. She’d hidden them under long sleeves for months, afraid of her parents’ disapproval and hating their constant reminder of Soris’ fate. Now they held an entirely different meaning for her.
“Barba, I was wondering about my Sister markings. You told me they’d fade away and they haven’t.”
“I lied.” Barba met her eyes and smiled. “Your markings were always permanent, Natalie.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I knew you were destined to be a Sister, a very special Sister. I just didn’t know when, or the path that would lead you to make the decision for yourself.” She paused and her smile faded. “The markings I gave you last year are a symbol of my faith in you and your ability to do what needs to be done, Natalie.” She took a deep breath. “They will never fade or disappear. You are and always will be of a very unique House.”
Nat choked back her tears and flung her arms around Barba.
“Now go,” she urged Nat as she released her. “You’re ready.” Her green eyes were moist with tears. Nat clung to her hand a moment, then let her fingers slip free. Her orb spun past the rocky entrance, casting a curve of light on the uneven surface of the tunnel floor. Nat kept her gaze
“I don’t know. Could be a month, but they may run two shows, so it might be longer.” Telling her father the string of lies felt horribly wrong.
“Your mother will not be happy. And what about MC? Do you have any idea how crazy she’s been waiting for you to come home? Even Cal’s been asking about you.”
“I’ll make it up to MC,” she said, unsure how she would make anything up to MC. She doubted Cal cared whether or not she came home, but she was still grateful to her sister for not sharing her breakdown with her parents. She thought back to the dream images she’d shared with her orb. Maybe she and Cal could find a way to be close again.
“Nat, there is more to life than money and working all the time.” Her dad continued his lecture. “I’m starting to think that when you left for school, you decided to leave your family behind as well.”
“It’s not just about money.” It never really was, she thought.“It’s an opportunity I can’t pass up.” She shifted in her seat to avoid pressing against her wounded shoulder.
“How is working on sets in some theater in Canada going to help you? You’re a biology major.” The bus bumped over the bridge and turned onto Grand Street.
She swallowed. She couldn’t explain Soris or any of her problems to him, but she had to say something so he’d understand. “Dad, you know how you’re always telling the three of us to live our lives the right way? It’s hard to explain, but that’s what I’m trying to do now. Trust me on this.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I can’t come home. I really am.”
“I trust you, Nat. I . . . We just miss you. I guess we’ll see you when you get back. I suppose it’s the same bad cell coverage as before?”
“Yeah, it is. Same bad cell coverage.” She watched the town slip past as she said good-bye to her dad and the bus brought her closer to the entrance of Fourline. Thinking about home, she walked to the costume shop, where she met Barba at the back entrance.
Barba left her alone as she dressed. She stood in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection. She took in her tightly braided brown hair, the drape of her new cloak, and the flash of the dagger sheath hanging from her belt. Her orb spun next to her wounded shoulder. She turned away from the mirror, letting her thoughts of home disappear with her vanishing reflection.
“How are you feeling?” Barba asked as Nat walked into Ethet’s laboratory.
“I’m petrified.” She looked at the shadowy entrance to the tunnel and swallowed.
“Good.” Barba adjusted the clasp on her cloak. Nat glanced at her right arm and wiggled her fingers as Barba fussed over her. Her exposed Warrior markings twitched with the movement. She’d hidden them under long sleeves for months, afraid of her parents’ disapproval and hating their constant reminder of Soris’ fate. Now they held an entirely different meaning for her.
“Barba, I was wondering about my Sister markings. You told me they’d fade away and they haven’t.”
“I lied.” Barba met her eyes and smiled. “Your markings were always permanent, Natalie.”
“I don’t understand.”
“I knew you were destined to be a Sister, a very special Sister. I just didn’t know when, or the path that would lead you to make the decision for yourself.” She paused and her smile faded. “The markings I gave you last year are a symbol of my faith in you and your ability to do what needs to be done, Natalie.” She took a deep breath. “They will never fade or disappear. You are and always will be of a very unique House.”
Nat choked back her tears and flung her arms around Barba.
“Now go,” she urged Nat as she released her. “You’re ready.” Her green eyes were moist with tears. Nat clung to her hand a moment, then let her fingers slip free. Her orb spun past the rocky entrance, casting a curve of light on the uneven surface of the tunnel floor. Nat kept her gaze
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