Rout of the Dem-Shyr (The Ascendant Series) Read Online Free Page A

her abilities. She didn’t reach out to any minds, not wanting her presence known or questioned. Instead, she drew on the emotion in the room, using it to infer thoughts and motives.
    Ty was vigilant, his attention heightened. She felt him tapped into her consciousness and was grateful for it. He saw what she did. She incorporated his impressions into her own.
    Her father was subdued. This didn’t surprise Kyr. It seemed he always bowed to Shaya or Vycor.
    Vycor was fuming. He felt powerless and hated every bit of it. His hatred towards Ty was profound. Kyr shied away from him as quickly as she could, not wanting his darkness to taint her any more than it already had.
    The ambassadors were resentful. They didn’t like having to rely on Alametria for their livelihood. Kyr could understand this. No one liked to feel beholden to another like that.
    Shaya’s behavior didn’t help matters. Her mother enjoyed being in the position of power, and she wasn’t about to relinquish it anytime soon. She thought it was in their best interests to keep V’laria under their thumb rather than treat them like equals in their dealings.
    Opening her eyes, Kyr looked again at Ravina. Her scan had taken only a second or two, but it was enough for her to know what to do.
    “Ambassadors,” she said, “please let your minds be at ease. Alametria values everything you contribute to our partnership.”
    The word “partnership” grabbed everyone’s attention. All eyes were now on her. Shaya looked like she wanted to leap across the table, so much so that Kyr heard Ty take a protective step closer to her chair.
    “This is a trade agreement,” Kyr continued. “That implies an equal exchange of goods or services. If that isn’t a partnership, I don’t know what is.”
    Telad and Ravina exchanged another look. Their puzzlement over this unexpected response was clear to everyone at the table. Kyr felt some of their resentment fade.
    “We appreciate your support, Ma’jah Kyr,” Telad said at last. “This does help put our minds at ease.”
    Shaya’s hands were clenched together, her knuckles white. Vycor glanced at Shaya, but the Guardian shook her head the slightest bit. Kyr wondered what the silent communication meant. The negative emotions emanating from them made her shoulders slump.
    Although she felt as though she had done the right thing, she couldn’t help but fear she had just dug her own grave.

 
    Chapter 4
     
     
    The feeling of dread stuck with Kyr through the rest of the audience with the V’larians. She kept waiting for Shaya to say something as they reviewed the existing trade agreement with the ambassadors, but the Guardian held her tongue. By the time their discussions concluded, Kyr felt a huge knot of tension between her shoulders.
    You did great , Ty assured her as she rose from her chair. You made sure both parties benefitted from the agreement, which will help maintain a positive relationship with V’laria .
    Before Kyr could respond, Shaya said, “Ma’jah Kyr, let’s adjourn to the sanctuary, shall we? Advisor Vycor would be happy to see the ambassadors to their chambers, wouldn’t you, Advisor?”
    Vycor bowed his head. “As you wish, Guardian Shaya.”
    His bronze-colored eyes moved briefly to Kyr. She felt the look like a physical touch and barely resisted recoiling. He turned before she could read his expression.
    Did you get anything from that? she asked Ty.
    No .
    She felt his frustration. Why was he having so much trouble reading the Advisor’s thoughts? Was Vycor just that powerful?
    Vycor led the ambassadors from the room before she could give it more consideration. Her focus shifted to the Guardians as they turned and walked to the door. Shaya hadn’t even waited for Kyr’s response, she couldn’t help but notice. A childish part of her wanted to make up some mysterious obligation that would keep her from meeting with her mother.
    Just get it over with , Ty thought, taking her arm and