Prophet of the Badlands (The Awakened Book 1) by Matthew S. Cox

Author:Matthew S. Cox
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781620077467
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: 2015-04-26T07:00:00+00:00

he soft whisper of her name tickled at her ear, pulling her from the depths of sleep into the reach of a gentle hand that shook her by the shoulder. Althea squinted at Karina, sitting up behind her. Her sister’s face was a mask of worry drawn in tones of grey; the sun had not yet started to come up. Father stood in the doorway, surrounded by a halo of color from the lantern in his hand. Deep shadows flickered about his face; she knew something was wrong. Shaking off the grip of fatigue, she wiped the crumbs from her eyes and sat up.

“Thea, Felipe is here.” Karina’s voice carried a contagious nervousness.

“What’s wrong?” Althea looked between them.

The hissing lantern drew close as Father approached and took her hand. “Althea, Doctor Ruiz is here with Felipe.”

“Oh, no.” She threw her legs over the edge of the bed. “Is it the baby?”

“I’m afraid it is…” He pulled her into a hug, almost forcing the air out of her. “But not the littlest one.”

Sorrow surrounded him; she grew anxious. “What is happening?”

“Father, what…” Karina had run around the bed and clung to the arm bearing the light.

His voice slipped out around the lump in his throat. “Felipe brings warning. Hector Santos is causing trouble for Althea.”

Karina furrowed her eyebrows. “Hector? What could he do?”

“His brother died in the attack yesterday, the one man we lost.” Father’s face sank into the crook of Althea’s neck as he choked up. “Felipe has said he has the ear of the council… They want to―” His voice choked off.

Doctor Ruiz edged into the bedroom, following Felipe, a large bag slung over his shoulder.

“Yes.” Felipe shambled over. “He is convincing them it is too dangerous to keep you here. I thought they would disregard him, but they are listening. They want to send you away.”

Althea clung to Father. “No…” A tiny whisper came as a tremble wracked her entire body.

Her pitiful attempt at a voice knocked the last brick from his stoic wall. The lantern slipped from his fingers to the floor with a clank as he embraced her with both arms.

“Not just send you away…” Doctor Ruiz added. “They consider a plan to trade you to the chief of the Buffalo Skull.”

“That’s bullshit.” Karina sobbed. “They’re no threat to us.” She looked at Father. “They can’t do this. It is slavery! The council forbids it.”

“I’ve brought some things. You can disappear into the old city before they come for you. It’s the least I can do since you saved Luisa’s life.” Felipe smiled.

“No. No. No.” Karina pulled at Althea’s nightgown. “We can’t let them do this.”

Althea’s eyes welled with tears; the urge to cry grew stronger each time Father’s hand caressed her hair. The monster from the garden did this. He made the council turn on her. If he could influence the ravens, he could harm her family.

“I do not want you to get hurt because of me.” Althea slid out from between them, moving to her day clothes resting on the chair.

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