Desert Rising by Kelley Grant

Author:Kelley Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2015-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

KADAR WASN’T WHISTLING as he came back from weapons practice later that afternoon. He was frowning, trying to figure out his place among the men taking lessons. And trying to understand Severin’s attitude, alternately haughty and cold when he was with first-­circle men, and warmer, more open when he was alone with Kadar or with the lower-­circle men. Kadar didn’t especially want Severin or the other young men as friends, but it would help if he understood what was going on with the group. He knew he was well respected, especially after that display with Sulis and the gelding. But the other men seemed uneasy with Kadar, as though they were still trying to tell where he stood with Severin.

The house was quiet when Kadar arrived. He had to search for his aunt and uncle and found them in serious discussion in the dining area. They looked up when he walked in.

“Farrah’s sister, Ava, is missing,” Aunt Raella told him. “She stopped by here earlier today, on her way to run errands, and disappeared shortly after. Her mother just sent a message that she never returned home.”

“She dropped off two of her drawings for me to sell,” Uncle Tarik said, pushing them toward Kadar. “I should have sent Simon with her, to make sure she got back home safely . . .” He broke off and looked down, shaking his head.

Aunt Raella put her hand on Tarik’s shoulder. “She’s been running in and out of these neighborhoods since she was a tiny girl. You couldn’t know.”

Kadar examined Ava’s drawing of the Temple of the One. Every detail was crisp and sharp. “What are we doing to find her?” he asked.

“Farrah is visiting Ava’s favorite merchants, hoping she’s just talking and forgot the time,” Uncle Tarik said. “I’ve sent the boys out looking for any clue as to where she might have gone.”

“Or more likely, where someone might have taken her,” Aunt Raella said grimly, “though I doubt it will do any good if we find out.”

Kadar sat down on a bench, thinking rapidly. “We could send a messenger to Voras. One of the soldiers could track her easily,” he said. He was puzzled when they shook their heads.

“The Forsaken have no rights, Kadar—­especially when against circle families. Voras won’t stir himself for a Forsaken girl, and we’ll just draw attention to ourselves,” Aunt Raella told him.

“But she’s only twelve,” Kadar said, aghast. “You can’t think someone took her to hurt her.”

“She wouldn’t be the first,” Uncle Tarik said grimly.

“What can we do?” Kadar asked, feeling helpless.

“We wait. And see what we find out,” Aunt Raella said.

Kadar’s cousins came back, reporting that Ava had been seen with two third-­circle men. This news was greeted with silence, and his aunt’s eyes filled with tears before she ducked into the kitchen.

Kadar kept his eyes out for Farrah through the evening, but didn’t see her return to the house. He went up the stairs to his bedroom, his mind full. He didn’t realize someone was sitting on his bed until he was halfway into the room.

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