The Accused Dead by Rhiannon Frater

Author:Rhiannon Frater [Frater, Rhiannon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: young adult, horror
Amazon: B07C6BQSX5
Goodreads: 39867266
Published: 2018-05-08T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 11

Looming Fears

When I finally fall asleep, I’m restless and wake at every sound, which is why I’m surprised when I feel a kiss on my forehead and rouse from a very deep slumber. Quade is bending over me, hat in hand. A sliver of light peeks through the curtains and slashes across his tired face. It appears he didn’t sleep well either.

“I gotta go. The appeal is this morning. I need to head home to get ready.”

I struggle to get my thoughts together. I’m so tired my body feels bolted to the bed. “How long do you think it will take?”

Gently touching my check, he says, “I don’t know. Hopefully a few hours. One way or the other, I’ll be back for you.”

“The necromancer is going to do something, Quade.”

His eyebrows rise. “How do you know?”

I tap my temple. “I heard her whispering in my head last night after you fell asleep.”

“Why didn’t you wake me?” he asks with a frown.

“What would you have done? Run off and left me alone? Again?”

With a surrendering sigh, Quade straightens and tucks his hat onto his head. “You’ve got a point. I hate leaving you after hearing this, but during daylight hours it will be harder for the necromancer to make a move. Don’t hang out alone in this room. Stay near the others. If anything does happen, they’ll be able to sound the alarm.”

I force myself to sit upright. My head feels heavy and my eyes are grainy from lack of sleep. “That’s not really all that comforting.”

“I know.” Quade takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. “Just remember: you’ve got me on your side.”

I blush deeply. “I know. I’ll try to remember that when I’m scared.”

His kiss on my cheek is brief. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

With those words, he strides toward the door, grabs his coat from the desk chair, and shrugs it on as he slips out. Voices drift in from the hall announcing that the Unclaimed are awake, so I hurry to grab one of my day dresses and fresh underthings. I don’t want to be alone in the bathroom. The many stalls would make great hiding places for an attacker.

Both bathrooms are filled with women of all ages, so I enter the one that appears to have fewer in line for the bath stalls. A lot of my housemates are wearing blue trousers with a panel on the front and back that gives the impression of a skirt from afar, an illusion I never noticed before on the laborers. Since they’re not out in the field, most have tied the panels together on one hip.

The chatter is constant as women prepare for the day, braiding their hair, washing their faces, and brushing their teeth. I take up the last spot in one queue and eavesdrop on the conversations. I’m relieved that no one is talking about Rennon brandishing a gun or Elder Alvus attempting to take me away last night. Instead, the discussion is about the Unblessed attacking the wall.

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