Memory's Wake Omnibus: The Complete Illustrated YA Fantasy Series Read Online Free

clear direction whispered to her by the life in the earth. The tunnel stayed tight by their shoulders, sometimes pressing in closer and making them squeeze sideways through the narrow gaps, sometimes dropping in height, making them crawl. The sound of the trolls’ pursuit faded away and the girls slowed to a tired stumble.
    Eloryn’s heart ached for the strange girl who blindly followed her like a lost animal almost as much as it ached for herself. Once enough stale air returned to her lungs, Eloryn gave answers to unspoken questions. She explained that the tunnel would lead them to Maerranton. The men chasing her might also head that way, it being the nearest major city, but the tunnel would be faster than travelling over the steep and heavily wooded mountain.
    “Why are they chasing us?” Memory asked.
    The very question Eloryn didn’t want to answer. She couldn’t tell the truth but it seemed wrong to lie to someone with no memory. What if that was a lie, that Memory remembered nothing? Alward often chided her for being too trusting. Just give the simplest details, she told herself.
    “My guardian is a wanted man. Those who associate with him are also considered to be criminals. They will no doubt believe you were with us too, having seen us together. I’m sorry. Please believe that he’s a good man though, that we are no harm to anyone.”
    “You said ‘Wizard Hunters’ before. Is it not allowed, being a wizard? Doing that stuff you were doing?”
    Eloryn cringed, and planned her words. “All but the simplest of behests have been outlawed.” Eloryn shook her head, upset at herself. “Alward, he would be furious if he knew I had been casting in front of a stranger. You wouldn’t... I hope...”
    “Turn you in for it? No chance.” Memory looked as if she could laugh. She waved a hand toward Eloryn’s wisp that lit their way. “I feel crazy even talking about magic like it’s real, but I’m seeing it right now so I guess I’m crazy.”
    “The magic,” Eloryn continued, “it could explain your memory loss. When a powerful spell goes wrong, it can often steal memories. A Veil door is a very powerful spell...”
    “And it really went wrong? Ugh, just thinking about how that felt is all kinds of wrong, like the worst thing ever.” Memory shuddered. “But worse.”
    Eloryn shook too, remembering reaching for Alward, her hand passing through his, leaving him behind. “It was interrupted. I went in and where I came out wasn’t where we planned. It shouldn’t have been possible, but you were there, caught part way, stuck between the world and the Veil. I helped pull you free.”
    “Thanks, for that. Damn lucky you didn’t just leave me stuck there,” Memory said.
    Eloryn blushed. “It didn’t occur to me to do so.”
    Memory did laugh this time. “It probably would have been the right decision by the sounds of things. I was a perfect escape goat for the slaughter.”
    Did she mean scapegoat? Eloryn’s face flushed even more and she looked away. Who would consider doing such a thing?
    “But thanks, anyway, for not,” Memory added.
    A loud grumble from Memory’s stomach broke the awkward silence. They had been walking for what felt like hours, and Eloryn noticed her own stomach was also hollow and hurting.
    “Will you share some food with me? I have enough for us both.” Eloryn tried to hide the pain in her voice. It should have been her and Alward sharing this bread. She took it from where it sat upon the travelling cloaks that covered her and Alward’s most precious belongings. She tore the loaf and handed half to Memory.
    “God this is good. Thanks. I don’t know when I last ate. Literally,” Memory said with a stuffed mouth.
    “I wish I knew how you appeared, that I could give you more answers. Whether you were in the forest already, or it brought you from somewhere else, or...”  Eloryn let her musings fade out. She had read other explanations in Alward’s research. Darker,