Salvation's Kiss (Tales Of Mython Book 1) by Kathryn Jayne (old books to read .TXT) 📗

existence by Solomon himself. Do you know how many other races can claim to be birthed by escaping from the sorcerer’s cauldron? Our history is fascinating. Our very existence on this plane is noble. We hunt down murderers, answer the cries for vengeance from the deceased. How can you find shame in that?”

“I didn’t use to. But you didn’t see… you weren’t there. Never again. We will not speak of it in her presence. I care for her, and even if we can never be together, I can’t face her rejection.”

Selene listened intently as the young girl before her bared her heart, speaking in depth about things she had held so close for so long. She looked so pale against the redwood table. While her room was part laboratory, that section was sealed off by a wall-to-ceiling sliding partition, which allowed her to have this half of the basement room as more of a work space. Along with the table, where they currently sat, were several book cases containing rare and valuable research and data, along with a few of her own favourite books. Lined with carpet tiles, she liked to think the room had a homey feel, less sterile than had she not opted to divide the rooms. Ashley spoke to her not only of the attack, but of the gift she had awakened just before the age of fourteen. Hearing her talk was fascinating. Ashley was the very thing she had been searching for all these years, and now she had been stripped of her gift.

Selene wrapped an arm around her as she sniffled, speaking of all the things she had intended to do; how she would travel, finding a way to liberate those who had been claimed against their will. There were two things which were curious. The first was that her performing a single reversal of transition could place her on the border of unconsciousness. Someone who was intended to have this gift should have the facility to utilise it without such an extreme detriment. The second was the tears she shed. Ashley had said her saliva had lost its ability to cure, otherwise the tag would have faded, which meant there was no way to explain her tears.

“And they just fled without reason?” Selene continued asking her questions, committing every detail to memory. She watched intently as another tear fought its way through Ashley’s damp eyelashes. With a quick movement, she caught it in a small tube, earning a curious look. “You’re something special. Neither vampires nor Atelís can cry like this, partly because they develop a nictitating membrane from the moment of infection. It’s something you lack.” She answered the unasked question, studying her eyes again. “May I take some blood?” She pulled the metal trolley that had been near one of the bookcases closer, waiting for Ashley to nod before retrieving her supplies from the small drawers within. “Any family history of illness or preternatural bloodlines?”

“No. Well, I mean I don’t know. I was adopted.” Ashley played with the small tree of life pendant nervously, bringing it to Selene’s attention.

“May I take a look?” The moment she lifted the pendant, the cool metal grew warm within her grasp as she sent a small amount of energy to probe it. Turning it towards the light, she saw a multitude of hidden etchings. She had not seen symbols of their like for a very long time. Any other being would overlook them, thinking the soft alterations were merely imperfections of the metal, but she could see the truth, the hidden disc within the pendant. Since their creation, her kind had been attuned to recognise the many works and seals of Solomon. Closing her eyes, she visualised the disc, gasping as the seals and binding works shone through. It was enchanted in levels, intended to increase in strength every seven years. That the person before her had unlocked any abilities at all was inexplicable.

“Do you wear it all the time?”

Ashley nodded as Selene released the pendant. She rubbed her thumb and fingers together, dispelling the intense heat that would have been agonising for any other being. “I think part of you knows this already, but you should never remove it, not unless your life is in jeopardy.”

“Why?”

“Let me run my tests first, then I will answer your questions to the best of my ability. Now, with your consent, after we’ve eaten I’m going to give you an injection. It’ll make you feel dreadful for a few days, but it’s for your own safety.”

“Will it suppress the cravings? I don’t want to be one of them. I won’t!”

“I’m not sure that’s your biggest concern at the moment. As I said, we’ll talk later when I know more. We have a guest room and I would feel better if you stayed for the night. I do have a few more questions about the night you were attacked. Did you know any of the people who attacked you? Did they feel in any way familiar?”

“No. I didn’t get a good look at them, though. You don’t think they’ll come back, do you?” Hearing the fear in Ashley’s voice, Selene reached forward, grasping her hand briefly and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I won’t lie. If my suspicions are correct, you’re in more danger than you could imagine, especially if whoever bit you that night knows where to find you.” Selene flicked the test tubes containing the samples, her gaze fixated on the ruby fluid. Now it was away from Ashley, she could feel the power calling to her even from within the small, stoppered phials. She had a feeling she knew exactly what this girl was, and whoever had placed that necklace around her neck had saved her from a horrific life. But before she spoke with her about what the blood showed, she had to be certain. She had to run the tests.

“That’s all for now. This’ll take a while, so why don’t you join Conrad. If