Read Storms (Sharani Series Book 2) Online
Authors: Kevin L. Nielsen
Storms (Sharani Series Book 2) (38 page)
The leader shook his head as if to clear it and then turned to one of the other men there. “Go fetch another few squads. How many of you are there?” The leader looked at Gavin expectantly.
“A few hundred.”
“Go. Hitch up some of the wagons,” the leader said to another of the men as the first ran off. “The rest of you, take the
Great One
to the Box.”
“Wait,” Samsin protested. “What are you doing? I helped these people. What are all of you doing here?”
The leader ignored him again. The other soldiers grabbed him and led him away. Gavin watched him go, unable to even think about protesting as an ethereal sense of relief washed over him. His shoulder throbbed and he fell to his knees in the snow. The leader was at his side in an instant.
“Come, we’ll get you a hot meal. I’m called Brisson. I was Nikanor’s steward.”
“My people,” Gavin said, struggling to his feet. “We’ve got to go get them. They’re up the pass there.”
“Don’t worry,” Brisson said. “We’ll get them. What’s your name, Rahuli?”
Gavin licked his lips, finding them numb. “Gavin.”
“Is what you said before true?” Brisson asked. “Is Master Nikanor truly gone?”
Gavin nodded.
Brisson sucked in a breath and then let it out in a long, sibilant hiss. “We will honor his passing this evening, once we have your people back in and sheltered.” Brisson looked over at Gavin and gave a tight-lipped smile. “Don’t worry. You and your people are safe now.”
Gavin slipped back down onto the ground. Safe? He didn’t even know what that was supposed to feel like.
Lhaurel sat upright and immediately regretted it. Her head throbbed for a moment, blood pounding in her ears. Then it cleared, dissipating like water left too long in the sun. Memories flitted through her mind, but she couldn’t tell if they were real or merely part of dream.
“Peace, child.”
Lhaurel spun, reaching desperately for her powers.
Nothing happened.
One of the Sisters sat on the rocking, wooden floor with her, watching Lhaurel intently. Fear laced through Lhaurel and she found her lips and throat dry.
“Where am I?” Lhaurel asked, looking around. They were in a small room made of wood, which bounced back and forth slightly beneath her. Was that another quake? Terror worked up her throat and tried to strangle her.
“On your way home, child.” The Sister flashed her a smile, revealing her pointed teeth.
Lhaurel shuddered. “What about the others? Did you honor our arrangement?” Lhaurel’s voice held a measure of desperation to it, even to her own ears.
The Sister smiled again.
“Why can’t I feel my powers?”
“Well, child, we can’t have you playing with things you don’t understand.” The Sister’s eyes flashed and she smiled a third time, as if she’d said something clever or funny. Lhaurel swallowed hard to keep down the bile that arose within her.
“Are you going to kill me?” Lhaurel licked her lips, finding herself ready to meet her fate.
“Kill you?” The woman laughed. The sound had no humor in it. “No, child. We’re going to make you one of us.”
“One of you?”
“Welcome to the Seven Sisters, child.”
Kevin L. Nielsen's journey into writing began in the 6th grade when an oft-frustrated librarian (Ms. Jo Wolf) told him there simply wasn't enough money in the budget to buy any more books. She politely suggested he write his own since there were no more unread books left in the entire library. His teacher at the time also challenged him to read the Iliad by the end of the year (which he did). Kevin has been writing ever since (and invading libraries and bookstores everywhere).
Kevin currently resides in Utah with his amazing wife and two wonderful children. He's still writing and continuing a lifelong quest to become a dragon rider. He also has a thing for purple shirts.
Connect with Kevin:
Website:
http://kevinlnielsen.com/
Twitter:
www.twitter.com/kevinlnielsen
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