Read Online The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney - Free Book Online Page B

source of power.”
    “So, let me get this straight. The alchemists—these four Orders—basically make it their business to … what? Fight the elves? All faeries? What’s the deal?”
    “I guess, historically, the alchemists were always the ones who stood between humanity and the fey—as in, anything that comes out of Faerie. But in modern times, it’s very different. The dark elves are the only threat now, because they’re the only ones who have any sort of major presence. And even their numbers are shrinking.”
    Of course, there were also faery stragglers, solitary fey who had gotten left behind or who had chosen not to go with their people when Faerie was sealed up for good. Not to mention changelings and half-fey. But Donna didn’t think now was the time to mention this. She’d probably already taken a few years off Navin’s life just telling him as much as she had.
    Navin uncurled his legs and stretched. “So, assuming I’m going to believe all of this—which I do, don’t worry—when are you going to tell me about these ?” He suddenly laid his brown hand over hers. Her gloves had always been a barrier between them. “Don’t you think it’s way past time?”
    Donna pulled her hand back. It was a reflexive action, but the moment she’d done it, she wished she could undo it. The hurt and rejection on his face made her heart ache. “Nav, I—”
    “Donna!” called a voice from downstairs, “I’m home!”
    Saved by Aunt Paige , Donna thought. Who’d’ve thunk it? For the past year, she’d managed to avoid telling Navin the truth behind the Incident at Ironbridge High, and she figured her luck had finally run out. But it hadn’t.
    “Up here with Nav, Aunt Paige,” she shouted back. She turned to Navin, trying to tell him how sorry she was with her eyes. “I should go talk to her. I’ve hardly seen her since she got back from her trip.”
    “What are you going to tell her?”
    “Maker said not to say anything.” Donna shrugged, trying to ignore the doubt that tightened her gut. “I guess he must know what he’s doing.” Something was off about that whole situation, but she had too much to sort through right now.
    Navin got up and waited for her to follow him to the bedroom door, but Donna couldn’t help noticing that he wasn’t looking at her. “Come on then, let me go say ‘hi’ to your aunt so I can get home,” he said. “Dad’ll wonder what’s happened to me.”
    They stood there for a moment, Donna wishing she knew what was going through her best friend’s mind. It was a pity that being a child of alchemists didn’t give her special powers—like telepathy, or cool stuff like that.
    Navin’s face was paler than normal now, and there were little patches of putty-colored skin beneath his eyes that looked strange against his light brown skin. It sometimes happened when he got tired or stressed; Donna had seen him like this during exams, and especially around the time of his mother’s illness. Guilt made her chest tight and she found it difficult to breathe. She had made him look like that. It was her fault that Nav was so shell-shocked.
    And betrayed , said the guilt-ridden voice inside her.
    As usual, Navin surprised her. He grabbed her hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “Don’t look so worried, Underwood.”
    “I’m so sorry about all of this,” she replied, unable to stop her voice from wobbling and immediately hating herself for sounding weak. “If anything ever happened to you, it would be my fault.”
    “Stop with the drama.” He let go of her hand and flung his arm around her shoulders. “Women! Always exaggerating.”
    She snorted. “Sharma, you know just what to say to say to a girl. No wonder you haven’t hooked up with anyone yet.”
    “Who says I haven’t?”
    “I’d know if you had.” Donna tried to smile as she stepped away from him. “You tell me everything.”
    The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
    Navin looked at her