Out of the Shadows: Book One of the Velieri Uprising by Tessa Van Wade

Author:Tessa Van Wade [Van Wade, Tessa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Sheep Media
Published: 2021-06-14T22:00:00+00:00

When I wake from this night of constant dreams, the first place I want to go is the meadow. There’s no other place they will be.

Sweat rains down their brows and cheeks, as every muscle constricts until the tension shows by the map of veins in their biceps and hands. There is dew on the grass in the early morning as Kenichi, Mak, Briston, and Arek take long steps with slow arms.

I watch for a moment, hidden behind the thicket of trees just off the winding path. With the memories of my father, everything has changed overnight. The man I see today is not from yesterday.

Once again, just as the day before, Arek’s eyes turn in my direction. I descend the stone steps and walk directly to Briston, who is nearest.

“You should have a scar here.” I touch the skin between his thumb and forefinger. Briston smiles. “The very first time you taught me to use a knife, I sliced you here.”

Briston chuckles, “Yes.”

“And you took me to court when I was just a baby.” I finally look around at all the men who clearly understand what has happened. “Japha was in one of those box insets in court. Whatever those are? Men and women in white robes said they would protect me all my life . . . I’m assuming they are either the Prophets or the Powers?”

Even my dad’s voice no longer sounds like a stranger. I still can’t grasp what it feels like to live nearly a thousand years, but the comfort of his voice is now mine and doesn’t just belong to Remy.

“Well, at least I know you and Mak.”

He looks at me with a grin. “At least.”

“Ask me anything. I know my life with you. My mother’s name was Lyneva.”

He quickly hands his knives to one of the servants and then turns back to me.

“How much do you remember?”

“My childhood. Almost everything with you.”

I can see in his eyes that his mind is reeling with concern and fear, mixed with joy to have his daughter back.

Arek is obviously concerned. “How much do you remember of her? Lyneva?”

“Nothing . . . just her name. I know you don’t want me to remember.” I cast a glance at Arek, standing not very far away. He watches with a serious expression, still sweaty from the morning’s practice. “But it’s not stopping . . . clearly.”

“Welcome back.” Briston pulls me into him as he’s done all my life, or at least the old life. He kisses my temple and gives a reserved laugh. After a moment he lets go. “It’s been too long.”

The meadow is so silent that not even the morning caws of birds are singing now. Every servant watches from a distance but look at one another out of the corner of their eyes.

“Kenichi,” Arek keeps his voice a low rumble. “Tell them what you were told yesterday.”

“Give them a moment,” Mak instructs.

“We don’t have time, Mak,” Arek barks.

Kenichi nods. It is difficult to make out what he says under his broken English.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.