Free Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles Book 1) by Jaye L. Knight Page A

After all, without a mother growing up, he could use every ounce of Kalli’s love. Tyra sat at his side and rested her head in his lap until it came time for her turn.
    “Well, I’ve got an early start tomorrow,” Aldor said as the evening grew late. He pushed back from the table. “Best get to bed.”
    “I’ll just be a few minutes,” Kalli told him.
    He rose, as did Rayad.
    “I think I’ll turn in as well.” He looked at Jace. “What about you?”
    “After I take Tyra out.”
    Jace left the table and stepped out onto the wide front porch. Tyra followed. The nighttime chill in the breeze sent a shiver across his skin, and Jace drew a deep breath of the fresh air. He liked the quiet and stillness of the night. While Tyra tended to her business, Jace glanced over the farm. Though well past dark, to his eyes everything appeared as more of a twilight. He looked up at the two large moons overhead, their silver and bluish light competing with the stars. Far off in the trees, a wolf howled. His gaze fell on Tyra, but she walked toward him, uncaring of the life she could have in the wild.
    “Ready to go in?”
    She glanced up, crystal blue eyes glowing, and he turned back to the door. Yet, when he gripped the knob, a cold sensation prickled the hair at the back of his neck. Behind him, Tyra growled. He looked over his shoulder. The wolf stared off at the woods across the clearing. Another menacing growl rumbled from her throat, and Jace peered into the shadowed trees. An unexplainable churning took hold of his gut, but nothing appeared out of place.
    For a while, the two of them just stood watching and listening. Eventually, Tyra joined him at the door. Jace released a pent-up breath, and his stomach settled a little. Probably just another wolf or a bear, but for most of his life he’d had to watch his back, never trusting anyone. Even now, it was difficult to live without such suspicion. With one last sweep of the farm, he followed Tyra into the cabin and bolted the door securely.
    Kalli had gone to bed, but left a candle burning on the table. Jace’s smile crept out. Even after three years, she still forgot he didn’t need light to see in the dark, but he appreciated her thoughtfulness. He blew out the flame and climbed the stairs to his room. Tyra trailed behind.
    His small bedroom held little more than his bed and a dresser, yet it was the first private room he’d ever had. The first private sanctuary he could call his own. Tyra found her place on the old rug at the foot of his bed and, after turning a few times, nestled in for the night. Before preparing for sleep, Jace walked to the window and opened it wide so either he or Tyra would be able to detect anyone or anything prowling around the cabin. Braced against the sill, he peered out at the forest. Another chill tickled his arms, but he tried to convince himself it was only the breeze.
     

     
    With quiet strictly enforced after dark, Kyrin treaded the halls with care. Light still peeked under many of the doors along with whispered voices. She left the girls’ dormitory behind and slipped outside, relishing the coolness of the night. Sleep eluded her, and another headache threatened to take hold. Ever since the confrontation with Master Zocar about their worship practices, she felt jumpy. Kaden seemed unconcerned, but then he always would in order to comfort her, even if he worried privately.
    She glanced at the gate, which stood closed this time of night, and crossed the courtyard. To the right of the Hall rose another impressive circular building with many windows. Warm, glowing light from dozens of candles streamed through the glass.
    At the entrance, Kyrin pushed open one of the double doors. The old hinges creaked, and the musty but pleasant scent of books and scrolls wrapped around her as she walked inside. She stepped out from under the ornate archway that supported a huge balcony overhead and shadowed her small form. In the center of the building,