The Isis Knot by Hanna Martine

Author:Hanna Martine [Martine, Hanna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literature & Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Time Travel
Amazon: B00MQ75J9W
Publisher: Hanna Martine Books LLC
Published: 2014-09-12T21:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

Most of New South Wales shocked Sera. The horses and wagons, the personal hygiene, the isolation and numbing silence of a pure, undeveloped land. But nothing affected her as jarringly as the poverty and lawlessness of this corner of Sydney. England’s worst had gouged a hole in the dirt of this new country and squatted, living among their shit. How could anyone survive here?

As she hid with Jem in the alcove, she was grateful for the silence between them because it allowed her to focus on what was happening out on the street. To assess whether or not they were in danger of being discovered. Beside her, Jem’s breathing had gone ragged, and he jumped at every little sound, which were many: the call of prostitutes, the cursing of drunken men, the slap of harbor waves against the docks, the skitter of rat claws around their feet.

How long they waited there, she didn’t know. It felt like hours, her muscles aching from the tension of holding herself still.

Then a silhouette filled the alcove entrance. Jem stiffened but she immediately knew it was William by the shape of his body and the gentle, calming wave that rippled over her. Ramsesh calling to Amonteh.

“Follow me,” he growled.

They emerged from their hiding spot, and instantly she knew something wasn’t right. Shadows were bright daylight compared to William’s dark expression. He turned, making them trail his fast, deliberate footsteps.

“What’s wrong?” Jem trotted at William’s heels. “What happened in there?”

“When I have you both safe inside, I’ll tell you.” He didn’t turn around to say it. He kept clenching and releasing his fists.

“Did you find a place to stay?” she asked.

He nodded and gestured vaguely ahead, deeper into the black canyons and rotting stink. “Other side of the Rocks.”

This area of Sydney—called the Rocks, apparently—tightly hugged the land that rose above the cove. Narrow stone staircases carved directly into the cliffs led up to layer upon layer of winding avenues and passageways, and pale stone buildings practically stacked upon each other.

William walked with purpose. He entered a small courtyard and climbed a set of stairs that reached all the way to the top of the Rocks. A door sat on the landing of the first switchback and he rapped on it, calling out, “Waldgrave?”

The door’s loose hinges rattled. Everything in this country seemed ready to crumble and fall apart, and it was barely as old as she.

After a few moments a man cracked open the door. “Who are you? What do you want?”

William raised his hands to show he meant no harm, but his voice had an edge. “The barkeep at Captain Cook’s said you might have a room to let.”

Waldgrave’s eyes narrowed as his gaze fell on Jem and then Sera. “He was mistaken.”

William pulled the coin purse out from the safety of his pants and jangled it. “Perhaps not.”

That got Waldgrave to open the door farther, revealing a clean but crude living space beyond. A cold fireplace stood to the right, a primitive table and chairs just ahead.

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