"Maria V. Snyder - Yelena 02 - Magic Study" - читать интересную книгу автора (Snyder Maria V)

Irys sighed. Wisps of her black hair had sprung from her tight bun, and her stern expression didn’t quite
match the slight humor in her emerald eyes.

“Yelena, appearances can be deceiving. Seek with your mind, not your senses,” she instructed.

I rubbed my slick hands along the grain of my wooden staff, concentrating on its smooth surface. My
mind emptied, and the buzz of the jungle faded as I sent out my mental awareness. In my mind’s eye, I
slithered through the underbrush with a snake, searching for a patch of sunlight. I scrambled through the
tree branches with a long-limbed animal with such ease that it felt as if we flew.

Then, above, I moved with people among the treetops. Their minds were open and relaxed, deciding
what to eat for dinner, and discussing the news from the city. But one mind worried about the sounds
from the jungle below. Something wasn’t right. Someone strange was there. Possible danger. Who’s in
my mind?
I snapped back to myself. Irys stared at me.

“They live in the trees?” I asked.

She nodded. “But remember Yelena, just because someone’s mind is receptive to your probing doesn’t
mean you’re permitted to dive into their deeper thoughts. That’s a breach of our Ethical Code.”

Her words were harsh, the master level magician scolding her student.

“Sorry,” I said.

She shook her head. “I forget that you’re still learning. We need to get to the Citadel and begin your
training, but I’m afraid this stop will take some time.”

“Why?”

“I can’t leave you with your family like I did for the other children, and it would be cruel to take you
away too soon.”

Just then, a loud voice from above called out, “Venettaden.”

Irys swung her arm up and mumbled something, but my muscles froze before I could repel the magic that
engulfed us. I couldn’t move. After a frantic moment of panic, I calmed my mind. I tried to build a mental
wall of defense, but the magic that ensnared me knocked down my mental bricks as fast as I could stack
them.

Irys, however, was unaffected. She yelled into the treetops. “We’re friends of the Zaltanas. I’m Irys of
the Jewelrose Clan, Fourth Magician in the Council.”

Another strange word echoed from the trees. My legs trembled as the magic released me and I sank to
the ground to wait for the faintness to pass. The twins, Gracena and Nickeely collapsed together,
moaning. May rubbed her legs.

“Why have you come, Irys Jewelrose?” the voice above asked.