Read Online The Crystal Star by Vonda McIntyre - Free Book Online Page B

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    Jacen, our fstborn son, and here is Jaina, our beautiful daughter."'" He's a liar! Jaina thought. A liar!
    "We believe you, Hold-father Hethrir," Jacen said.
    For just a second, Jaina thought maybe Jacen really meant it. But then she thought, No, that's stupid. She
    was afraid to touch him for reassurance, because Hold-father Hethrir would know.
    She started to cry again.
    It's all right to cry now, she thought. Because I'm just pretending, because I have to, and Mama and
    Papa and Uncle Luke and Chewbacca are all alive!
    She and Jacen and Anakin huddled together, all of them crying, Anakin wailing, "Papa!
    Papaffwas Hold-father Hethrir took Jaina's hand.
    He took Jacen's hand. He squeezed gently. His skin was very cold. He pulled on Jaina's hand. She had
    to move nearer to him. She wanted to move away from him.
    I don't believe he's really my hold-father! Jaina thought. I'm not going to call him that anymore.
    Hethrir put his arms around her and her brothers. Jaina shivered.
    "Poor children," he said. "Poor little children.
    I'm so sorry your mama and papa are dead." Anakin cried harder.
    Jaina and Jacen cuddled him. He sniffled.
    He started to hiccup. He fell asleep with his cheek pillowed on Jaina's shoulder. He hiccupped again.
    "There, there, poor children," Hethrir said.
    "You've had such a hard day. Come along, it's time for bed." Jaina stood up. She picked up Anakin.
    He was heavy.
    "We always have our supper before we go to bed," she said.
    Hethrir stood up. He was very tall. He smiled down at her.
    "But you live with me now," he said. "And at my house, it's time for bed." He urged them toward the
    doorway. Jaina saw another person standing in the darkness. Scared, she stopped.
    "Come forward, Tigris," Hethrir said.
    "Don't stand there hiding in the shadows." Tigris took a step forward. He was not scary at all. He was
    not even grown up, only twelve or thirteen. He wore a brown robe. Jaina thought it was ugly. It needed
    to be washed, and the hem had come down.
    He had striped hair like Hethrir's, but his was silver and black. It needed to be washed, too.
    And combed. Her mama would never let her go outside looking like that. He had pale skin and big black
    eyes, also like Hethrir's.
    "Don't make our new sister carry the child," Hethrir said. "Show your manners." Are they brothers? Jaina
    wondered. How could they be, Hethrir is so old. And Hethrir doesn't act like Tigris's brother. I'd never
    talk to Anakin in such a mean way.
    Tigris tried to take Anakin from Jaina.
    She stepped back. Jacen jumped in front of her to help protect their little brother. Together, they created
    the barrier Uncle Luke had taught them to make. No one would be able to get through it. They would not
    let Tigris take Anakin!
    The barrier shimmered around Jaina.
    And then it fell apart like a sand castle in the tide.
    "Now, now," Hethrir said. "None of that!
    Didn't your uncle ever tell you not to behave like that? You're being very, very bad." He knelt down in
    front of them again.
    "I'll teach you to use your abilities. The same as your Uncle Luke. But you must only use them under my
    supervision, until you're grown up." Jaina hugged Anakin tighter.
    "Do you understand?" Jaina knew what was going to happen. She knew she could not stop it.
    "Do you understand?" Hethrir demanded.
    Jacen had backed up right against Anakin. Their brother was protected between them. The wyrwulf
    growled.
    Suddenly the wyrwulf slid across the deck and crashed against the wall. Jaina cried out. The wyrwulf
    yelped and lay still.
    "Woof!" Anakin cried.
    Hethrir took Jacen's shoulders and pulled him forward, away from Anakin. He pulled him aside. He did
    not even bother to move Jacen with the Force powers he had revealed. He did not need to. He was a
    grown-up. Jacen tried to wriggle free, but Hethrir would not let him go.
    "Do you understand?" Tigris took Anakin from Jaina's arms.
    His eyes were sad and hopeful. Jaina could not stop him. She could not move. She