Cornerstone by Kelly Walker

Author:Kelly Walker
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2012-09-29T17:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Not Without A Fight

Emariya scrambled to get footing as she was dragged rapidly backwards. They were moving too fast and she couldn't get her feet under her. She tried to twist around, but it was no use. The man's hand was wrapped tightly in her hair, forcing her neck in a very uncomfortable angle. All she could see was the snow falling down toward her in the moonlight and a few branches from the scattered trees around the camp. The man’s other arm circled around her chest while his hand clamped down over her mouth, silencing her and holding her to him at once as he dragged her away from the fire. One of her arms was pinned painfully between her back and the man’s ribs.

With her other arm she tried to free herself, alternating between clawing at the hand that clutched her hair as well as the hand over her mouth, and trying to claw backwards wildly at the man’s eyes. She could feel the sharp stubble on his face, the weathered wrinkles.

She heard him cry out once, as her fingers found their mark, and she clawed at his cheek. She was almost positive it was Russell who had grabbed her, but why? She'd turned to look for Khane, and the next thing she knew, someone was grabbing her by the hair. She'd managed to scream once, right before the hand clamped over her mouth. Hopefully Khane had heard her.

Suddenly, the light changed. She saw canvas above her and she realized they had entered a tent. Russell's voice was in her ear. All the friendliness he'd had with her earlier was gone. “We can do this easy or hard, sweetheart, but I'm going to need a few answers. What do you think, can you be good?”

Mindful of the hand still gripping her hair, she gave a tiny nod. The hand on her mouth started to loosen. She screamed. “Khane! Help!” The hand closed over her mouth again, harsher this time.

“Let me make myself clear. My men have your little red haired friend, and the boy. This doesn't concern them, and I'm happy to let them be on their way. It's up to you. Now, do you think you can behave, for their sakes?”

Emariya closed her eyes. Oh, by The Three, Jessa. Her shoulders slumped as the fight went out of her. She nodded again.

“That's better. Now, sit.” The hands simultaneously released her, and gave her a hard shove, sending her sprawling to the dirt beside the wall of the tent. Slowly, without rising from the ground, she twisted around to glare at the man who'd brought her here. She and Russell weren't alone in the tent. There was another man beside him.

For a long moment, Russell stood still, looking at her. His eyes never wavered, and he didn't speak. Emariya shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Finally, he spoke.

“You have a brother.”

It didn't really sound like a question. She suspected he already knew the answer and he was testing her honesty.

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