Breath of Disaster snippet

A little snippet of Breath of Disaster, book two in the Elementalist.

Alexi turned to Vitaly and Zoya, they nodded. Dorosh led Alexi back down the steps to the side of the building. He peered around making sure they weren’t being watched. In the distance, Petrov stood with the headmaster greeting new students. As did Kutuzov.

“It’s happening faster than I expected,” Dorosh said.

Alexi looked at him dumbfounded. “What is?” he asked.

“The rise of False Wardens.”

Alexi didn’t like the sound of that. “What do you mean? False Wardens?”

That was a new idea to Alexi. Not that he had done much research into the Warden outside of the two books and dreams he had. But none of them mentioned anything about a False Warden. They talked about Nalda and her followers. Alexi hoped to learn more about them.

“Twice touched people who go insane. They hear the Prophecy and think they are the Warden.”

Alexi’s heart raced. Insanity was a constant fear he had ever since he learned of the possibility. He hated the thought that he might lose his mind. That some spirit touching him after a first one did would slowly lead to his death.

As if reading Alexi’s mind Dorosh patted him on the shoulder. “You aren’t going insane. Trust me. It happens fast. And quick. Most that go mad learn their second elements right away.”

“Okay,” Alexi said. He still wasn’t convinced.

“Have you figured it out yet?”

Alexi shook his head. “Nope.” He wanted to, but he feared it. Part of him thought that is what will make him crazy. Using the second element.

“In time. The Warden will need you.”

Alexi sighed. “I know.”

“Don’t worry. I will help you. I promise. But I had to deal with a twice touched this summer. He went crazy. Tried to kill lots of people. It wasn’t pretty.”

“Why didn’t I hear of it?”

“I did my best to keep it out of the papers. Some of it spread. The acceptance of the Warden is growing in the country. Many believe.”

That was good news. Alexi worried it wouldn’t be that way. That he’d have to be in hiding his whole life. In constant fear of being outed as a twice touched who can use two elements. Many already knew that he was twice touched. But not the other part.

With that they separated, Alexi went in search of his friends. Now both petrified and nervous about the coming year. This idea of false wardens going around attacking people thinking they were real wasn’t pleasant. Alexi hoped Dorosh would be able to handle the situation. They appear to be something well above his current abilities. Alexi hoped not to worry much about the Warden unit he finished school. It was clear now that wasn’t the case, he needed to start investigating it deeper and further.

Maybe it was time to listen to Vitaly and continued the formation of what they talked about after discovering the Prophecy. Perhaps it is time to the form the Green Iris.