The Daughters of the Darkness by Luke Phillips

Author:Luke Phillips [Phillips, Luke]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Beast Books
Published: 2017-06-25T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

The night slipped away assassin-like, as the dawn arrived in its wake. The thin rays of light were not yet strong enough to bring warmth to the silent camp. Catherine reached across the bed, pulling herself closer to Thomas. She tugged at the still crisp French linen and began to tunnel deeper into the bedspread for warmth and comfort. Thomas did not stir, still deep in sleep thanks to the whisky.

It wasn’t long after that, just as she began to doze again, that the shouts and wails began. Then she heard the noise of somebody hurriedly tapping against the glass door at the front of the tent. She sat up and threw her legs over the bed, trying to shake off her own grogginess as she shuffled across the floor. When she pulled back the curtain covering the door, she found Kelly Keelson on the other side, her eyes wide and her expression taught and fearful. Catherine reached for the handle and swung open the door.

“What’s going on?”

“Jelani’s men are leaving. The lions took out an entire tent of them last night, right under a guard’s nose,” Keelson replied.

“I’ll be right there,” the call came from behind.

Thomas pulled on his clothes quickly, stuffing his feet into his sandals and heading towards the door. He followed Kelly down the track towards the staff camp. Mason and Karni, who had taken the second watch, were already heading up to meet them. He looked to his left as Jericho stumbled grumpily from his own tent.

“What’s going on?”

“Looks like we got hit last night after all,” Thomas replied.

“Who did they take?”

“Six men. A whole tent,” Keelson answered quietly.

“Christ,” snapped Jericho, “how’d the guard miss that?”

“We’re on our way to find out,” Thomas shrugged.

Catherine caught them up, having stopped to pull on some clothes. By the time they reached the staff camp, it was a scene of chaos. Jelani stood in the centre of a group of his men. They were shouting at him, and Thomas noticed most of them already had their meagre belongings wrapped up and slung over their shoulders. As they approached, the men grew quiet and turned to look at them.

“What’s happening?” Thomas asked, speaking to Jelani directly.

“They are scared,” he replied, his brow slick with sweat. “They say the Petro-Loa came last night, and they do not want to face a bokor of Kanu’s power and reputation.”

“Well I wonder who put that idea into their head,” Jericho muttered under his breath.

Thomas shot him a warning glance. But he let out a deep sigh and his shoulders dropped.

“Listen everyone,” Thomas spoke up, lifting his voice to the gathered crowd. “I know you’re scared. You have good reason to be. But I ask you this on behalf of those we’ve already lost, and those still here who need your help and protection. At least give me a little time to look into what happened. Don’t give this bokor what he wants, or believe the lies he has asked you to stomach.”

The

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