Read Online The Spark of a Feudling by Wendy Knight - Free Book Online Page A

just been just alarm in her cry — there had been pain, as well. She was covered in burns, and this time, bruises also.
    â€œHe hurt you.” Blue flames leaped from his fingers as he held them to her face, gently running them over the many wounds. Why her face? Richard seemed to focus most of his attacks there, and Christian had a very hard time keeping the anger from the flames he was using to heal. He didn’t want to hurt her more than she already was.
    â€œI was training.” Her gaze dropped, unable to meet his, and the flames leaped viciously. She winced but didn’t make a sound.
    â€œI’m going to kill him, Ada.”
    She shook her head, silky hair tumbling around her face. “No, Christian, please don’t say that. I’m learning so much. I can teach you so much.”
    Her face healed, for the most part, and he started looking for wounds elsewhere. “I’d rather know nothing but that you are safe and unharmed by your own father.” He met her eyes, scowling, but she flushed and looked away.
    â€œIf I wasn’t so slow, he wouldn’t have to hurt me.”
    Christian’s hands dropped to his sides in disbelief. “Do you hear what you’re saying? Do you hear how ridiculous that is?” he exclaimed, furious.
    Her shoulders fell and a tear rolled slowly down her cheek, glistening in the dim light. “Yes. I know how ridiculous I sound. I’m sorry, I just—”
    Christian kissed her into silence. “You don’t need to explain.”
    â€œYou two are going to get caught. And then we will be banished from the estate and we’ll live in poverty for the rest of our days.” Charity crawled through the briars. Even from across the pond, Christian could see her eyes glowing like she was in the middle of a vision.
    Ada had noticed too. “Charity, can you see?”
    â€œA little.”
    â€œYou were with my father today, weren’t you?” Ada’s voice sharpened in alarm and Charity flinched.
    â€œI don’t remember. I don’t remember…” Charity’s voice trailed off, tipping her head sideways like she was trying to see around something. Suddenly her voice changed to the normal soft lilt instead of the dislocated, hollow tone and she whimpered. “Ada, I’m so sorry for what I said last night. I didn’t mean it.”
    Ada left Christian’s arms and rushed to Charity’s side. Taking Charity’s slender hand in both of hers, she said, “I know you didn’t. I know. I’m worried for you, Charity. Something is happening.”
    â€œI don’t remember,” Charity said, her voice slipping again into the hollow distant tone.
    Christian strode over to them, scooping Charity into his arms. “We need to get her home to my mother.” He couldn’t very well crawl through the briars and carry his sister, so he curled his arms around her, protecting her as much as he could and stalked right into them. They tore at the skin on his arms and face, ripped his clothes. He felt the blood well up and spill across his skin.
    â€œChristian, wait!” Ada tugged him back. Sparks exploded from her fingers and she burned a spell into the air. It was one she had been trying to teach him the day before. An alable , if he remembered correctly. The wall of flames shot from her hands, igniting the briars.
    As they burned away to nothing, Charity murmured, “You’re going to start the entire forest on fire.”
    â€œEngland is far too wet for that.” Ada led the way through the still-smoldering bushes. “I do believe I’ve just given away our hiding spot, though.” She glanced over her shoulder at Christian, her eyes sad.
    They hurried to his mother, who met them at the door. “I felt it. I knew something was wrong.” She took Charity and immediately started burning spells into the air above her daughter, pushing them at her one after the