Two Crosses by Elizabeth Musser

Author:Elizabeth Musser
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Secrets of the Cross, Two Crosses, Testaments, Destinies, Elizabeth Musser, France, Swan House, Huguenot cross
Publisher: David C. Cook
Published: 2012-03-29T04:00:00+00:00

Anne-Marie unfolded a crumpled sheet of paper. “It’s no use, Moustafa. I can’t remember everyone. You have warned these families?” She pointed to a half-dozen names scratched on the paper.

“They are warned, the ones who are in Algiers. The Capitaine will sail to Marseille tomorrow night with four children. Ali will not murder any more innocent young ones.”

Anne-Marie rubbed her forehead and sighed. “It’s all my fault. Oh how I hate this life. It’s as if I reached out a gun and shot them myself.”

Moustafa took her hand, squeezing it tightly. “You were forced to talk! No one judges you! Certainly not I. We’re here now because I too was weak. Every night I wonder if the other children escaped to France or if they were found because I talked. Bachir—is he safe in France? And Hakim?” He closed his eyes briefly, remembering Ali’s cruel laughter as Moustafa had writhed in pain. “I’m only glad I didn’t know more. Only dates and cities.” He stroked her face. “And where you were. It’s my fault that you’re here. I’m so sorry.”

Anne-Marie placed a finger over his lips and shook her head. “Don’t, Moustafa … don’t think of it now. You couldn’t help it.”

His eyes flashed. “If I let them, these thoughts will smother me in hopelessness. But we must not give in to self-pity. You have forgiven me, Anne-Marie, for my weakness?”

“Of course, Moustafa. You know I have.” Her eyes were liquid and sad as she answered him. “But can I forgive myself? For the families I betrayed to Jean-Claude? For my own daughter, who is living another nightmare because of me?”

He grabbed Anne-Marie’s shoulders, his voice a passionate whisper. “We’re in a war of madness, and we’re dealing with a madman. Don’t live in guilt. We can help.” He looked at her lovingly. “Do you wish to leave now, Anne-Marie? There’s room on the boat for you.”

She shook her head. “No, I’ll stay with you here. If they have brought Ophélie to Ali, she’s somewhere in this town. We’ll keep searching.”

She reached out for his hand, and he pulled her against his chest.

“Moustafa,” she whispered, coughing. “How can Ali believe that our fathers left his father to die? It was a casualty of war. He is pure evil.”

Moustafa waited a moment to speak. “Anne-Marie, my love. I’ve been thinking how it grows more dangerous daily for all the children trapped in this war. We have to keep using this operation, even after Ophélie and the others Ali seeks are safe. Algeria is going to explode in a final clash of power and blood. Marcus tells me what the OAS plots. I have to stay and help. Tell me you’ll stay too.”

She was still holding on to him. “Moustafa, our love too is madness. There’s no place in the world for a harki and a pied-noir who are in love.”

“Then stay with me here, Anne-Marie. For now no one says a thing. For now we’re alone in the eye of the storm.

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