The Beast Within (The Elite Series) - By Jonathan Yanez Page 0,53

the table in disgust. “It’s almost impossible to know.”

“Ardan does have a point,” the blue-eyed Raban chimed. “If he doesn’t even know he’s the Judge, how are we to know?” Raban scratched the remaining blond hair he had and shook his head.

“Can a half-blood be a Judge?” the question was asked by the amber-eyed Council member, who was studying Connor intensely. Although he was the smallest member of the Council, he by no means seemed inferior. He was garbed in a light orange shirt and pant combination, resembling the garments monks wear in monasteries.

His eyes never leaving Connor, he continued his train of thought, answering his own question. “If we are to believe Morrigan Hayes, and we have no reason not to, then we have to believe he is the prophesied Judge and a half-blood can be our savior.”

“Morrigan has never been wrong before,” Thema mused. “We don’t have any reason to doubt her now. What do you think, Ardan? He comes from your Family line.”

Ardan shook his head and let out a sigh. “The Moores have always been one of our greatest houses. The Judges originated there and one has risen up every time we were in need, but why now? Why would a Judge be given to us at this time? There is no impending doom, no great war to fight. What darkness is he meant to vanquish? Surely not the culprits of the trial we now face, we don’t need a savior for that.”

Laren’s father, who had been silent for much of the conversation, made his way over to one of the large fires that crackled quietly, providing warmth to the room. He stared into the flames as though they were speaking to him. His green eyes looked sinister against the glow of the fire’s light.

“Unless there is a gathering doom that we are unaware of.”

The room fell silent as the other four Council members mused over their leader’s words. Things in their world had been peaceful since the Cuban Missile Crisis. There was no reason to suspect there was any impending doom.

“Are you referring to anything specific, Adolpho? Don’t keep us in the dark,” Raban said.

Adolpho shook his head, still looking into the flames. “No, nothing specific I can explain, but you must all feel it. A sense of doom, an unnatural chill that comes with the night.”

“I have felt it,” Thema confessed. “I was unwilling to recognize it due to my own misgivings—I can be honest now. There is something happening. It has been much too quiet for much too long. Tian? You have a gift for knowing the order of things. What do you think?”

The small man leaning against the pillar nodded in agreement. “The spirits of our ancestors are restless. As to the exact reason, I do not know.”

A look of foreboding replaced Raban’s easy-going expression. “Adolpho, you don’t think that they—that He—could be back?”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, let’s slow down here. To say that my sister has never been wrong is one thing. To say there are ancient evil forces returning to the realm of men and elite’s is extremely different,” Ardan exclaimed.

“Connor.” Adolpho turned his eyes from the fire to address their guest. “Would you mind excusing us? There is a guard outside that will lead you back to your chambers.”

“Of course.” Connor made a bow like the guard had when he first arrived and turned to go. He could hear the Council continuing their conversation as he left. He was too tired to think about what they could have meant or what they would decide. He’d done the best he could. Worrying about it or trying to guess what their decision would be would get him nowhere.

Exiting the room, he came across a guard further down the hall, just as Adolpho had said. Thinking quickly, Connor walked past the guard not saying a word. The man gave him a questioning look as he passed, though didn’t move to stop him.

A few seconds later, Connor was by himself for the first time in what seemed like days. It was a great feeling. He resolved to search for Katie. She was probably scared and confused. With no one to talk to or explain what was happening, things would only get worse for her.

Where am I going to start? The castle is massive and I don’t even know how to get back to my own room, much less find Katie’s. Okay, instead of thinking about how much I don’t know, I need to focus