The Quest for the Heart Orb by Laura Jo Phillips

Author:Laura Jo Phillips [Phillips, Laura Jo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Paranormal, Literature & Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal & Urban, Romance
Publisher: Kathleen Honsinger
Published: 2014-06-20T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

The next morning, before Karma dressed for the day, Zakiel insisted on inspecting her carefully. As she’d suspected, she had a few bruises on her back and shoulders from hitting the ground so hard. The worst of them was a long purple stripe in the shape of her belt on her lower back that was tender. Her neck was also a bit sore, but she kept that to herself. As it was she had to make several promises to Zakiel regarding her activities until they faded.

Once camp was struck, Zakiel called everyone together to tell them about the caraspu. During a check of each person’s neck it was discovered that both of the cooks who’d fought a few weeks earlier had the circular white scar, as did three drovers, and two other servants. Fortunately, no one had the open wound that indicated the demon’s presence. It appeared that the miniscule demon had passed from person to person among their company for some time. Gavon’s body still had an open wound, indicating the demon’s presence at the time of his death, which signaled the demon’s death as well. Nevertheless, every single member of the Orb Quest, from Prince Zakiel himself down to the youngest apprentice drover, would have his, or her, neck checked twice each day.

Around mid-morning the trail narrowed, so Marl and Ren dropped back behind Karma and Kapia, while Tomas and Tiari rode in front of them. Karma smiled at both couples. Even with the constant threats of danger and attacks, love, it seemed, continued to blossom. Everyone knew of Marl’s and Ren’s formal courtship, the glow on their faces more telling than the golden bead on Marl’s egora. Hunters had been congratulating the couple all morning, and Karma knew, if Ren didn’t, that the smiles and words of happiness were for more than their courtship. Marl was well liked by his brothers in arms, and they were relieved to know that his long ordeal had ended.

Karma glanced over at Kapia who rode beside her and her smile faded. “Kapia,” she said in a voice too low to be easily heard by anyone other than Kapia or Nikura.

“Yes?” Kapia asked.

“You seem very quiet today. Is something wrong?”

“That should be my question to you,” Kapia said. “How are you this morning?”

“I have a few bruises, and have promised not to mount or dismount Dippy on my own for a few days, but otherwise I’m fine.”

“And the babies? Bredon told me that he sat on top of you.”

“He did, but it wasn’t that bad, and the babies are fine,” Karma assured her. “I even asked Tiari to check, and she still sees a two bright lights, and even a hazy golden aura around each of them. Kapia gave her a relieved smile, but Karma knew there was something else bothering her. “Your turn,” she said softly.

Kapia looked at her, then away. “There is something I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Of course.”

“I know that my meeting with Bredon in his tent

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