Free Forsaken (Fated Saga Fantasy Series Book 8) by Rachel Humphrey-D'aigle Page A

only heard half of this conversation. Explain what you mean by returning magic. What exactly are we talking about here?”
    Everyone was listening now.
    How pleased Amelia would be to know her topic was being debated by some of the finest minds on the island. Milo explained her sister’s dream perfectly. She’d definitely told him everything. Maybe even more than she’d shared with her or the family.
    Most had similar opinions; it was a nice thought, a nice concept, but not the least bit plausible or realistic. The chaos it would cause would be disastrous. But they debated the subject for the next few hours. Each coming up with pros and cons of such an event happening.
    Juliska, having nothing more to offer the conversation, got up from the table, excusing herself. She needed some air. Eddy moved to follow. She groaned, but agreed, in disbelief she’d rather walk with Eddy than listen to people debate her sister’s latest crazy idea.
    She supposed she could manage a walk. As long as he didn’t try anything else.
    A flame from a candle sconce caught her eye and she swooned. Eddy reached over to steady her but she pushed him away and caught her breath. The conversation quieted at once, all eyes focusing on Juliska.
    “What is it?” Arnon asked at once.
    She looked at everyone at the table. “We’re being followed.”
    “What?” Arnon, Cornell and Nashua asked at once.
    The table emptied. Everyone waiting to hear what else she had to say.
    “We’re being followed,” she said again as evenly as possible. “A man… I saw a man. Not clearly. No face or identifiable features. But definitely following us.”
    Arnon took over. “Cornell, would you do a sweep of the area and see if you pick up any magical traces this man might have left behind?”
    The magic tracker nodded curtly and departed at once.
    “I’m going to run some perimeter checks,” said Arnon.
    “I’ll go with you,” offered Nashua.
    “Maybe you should stay, just in case.” Arnon’s gaze flitted to Kanda. Apparently, thought Juliska, she wasn’t the only woman getting picked up on. But Kanda just smiled, unconcerned, and cast her brother a knowing look.
    Nashua laughed. “I may be the overprotective brother, but my sister can take care of herself in a battle.”
    “Can she?” Arnon looked eager to find out more.
    Kanda gave nothing away as to what her brother meant.
    “A battle?” Juliska muttered, taking in an uneasy breath. It wasn’t anything she’d actually prepared herself for. She’d done basic battle training, but frankly, wasn’t all that confident in her abilities.
    “Not to worry,” assured Arnon. “I’m sure it won’t come to that.”
    Regardless, he nodded knowingly at Milo, Balloch and Eddy. Winked at Kanda, before leaving the tent with Nashua. They followed them outside.
    “You all stay close to the tent,” ordered Arnon.
    Nashua began to stretch and pop his joints. “I’d prefer to search in my wolf form,” he told Arnon. “My senses are much stronger.”
    Arnon nodded, understanding. He’d seen a few of the Tunkapog transform into their animal forms before. It still astonished him. He took a quick glance back at Kanda.
    She knew what he was thinking. What animal did she transform into?
    With Nashua it was fairly easy to tell. His clothing was made out of white fur, and in some places, it seemed to naturally soak into his skin, almost like it was a living part of him. And yet he claimed he could remove the furs whenever he wanted to.
    Nashua’s body began to quiver and shake, rocking side to side. Violently at first, and then faster and faster, soon moving so fast it was more like a vibration. And then boom! A wolf had taken his place and ran off into the night. Arnon took off right behind him.
    Milo looked over at them all. “I do hope they’ll all be all right.”
    “They will,” insisted Kanda. “It’s just precautionary anyway. We have no way of knowing if what Juliska saw is happening right at