The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (good e books to read .txt) 📗

“Dranium?” he grunted. “Only time will tell for him. I think there was more to do with his capture than he'll ever tell us about.”

Qilo returned with the carcass of a Lambaust and plopped it on the ground by the front door. “You have some good hunting around here,” he mentioned. “Are these good to eat?”

Sedom cringed as she examined the dead animal. “I've eaten them out of necessity. My people are vegetarians, but when you're starving to death,” she mentioned. Her stomach quivered at the sight of the dead animal. “I don't think I'll ever be that hungry again.” She waved for Qilo to do with the animal as he wished.

Qilo shrugged. “Good… more for us,” he winked. “Rosanheer is waiting for us outside. We had concerns that an orb was trailing us… but we took care of it.”

“One of there's or one of mine?” Sedom asked, rising from her seat on the rock.

Qilo frowned, his eyes wild with questions. “It had a black outer casing with a green glow. Do you think it was one of yours?”

Sedom dusted her pant legs off as she nodded. “Good, one of there’s. The gold and silver ones are mine.” She bent to Ratisha, tapping her cheek. “Ratisha, rolvalka.”

With a gasping breath, Ratisha woke, gazing into Sedom's eyes. “What mysteries golden eyes hide?” she whispered in her native language.

Sedom rested her hand on Ratisha's cheek. “Just don't finish that poem,” she whispered back. Ratisha nodded understanding. The poem was not flattering to the Narkoy.

Zion stood behind Sedom. “What did she say?” he asked.

“Later.” She turned to Zion. “If I block her pain, would you be able to carry her again?”

Ratisha's wide eyes peered up at the massive Zalmin. “He’s an empath?” she gasped. “Sortec, I don’t think…”

Zion grinned reassuringly. “It shouldn't be a problem.” He took hold of Ratisha, picking her up in his arms. “Don’t worry about it. Regardless if you try to hide your thoughts, I already know who you are,” he whispered to her.

Ratisha shook her head against Zion’s chest. “That’s easy for you to say. I don’t even know who I am,” she admitted.

Sedom patted her shoulder. “I think that can be said about all of us… well,” she paused, noticing Rosanheer lingering outside the cave’s entrance.

They started outside, Rosanheer waited as they passed to take up the end where Sedom was. He nudged her slightly to make her stumble, just to see what she would do.

“Is this your way of asking if I’m alright?” she asked Rosanheer, giggling slightly. It was the same thing her middle sister would do to annoy her. Rosanheer shrugged. “You’re insane.”

“So I’ve been told,” he admitted.

Ratisha glanced over Zion’s shoulder, watching Sedom and Rosanheer. “Odd group you have here,” Ratisha mentioned. “Ex-Rycal, ex-Marisheio, and…” she paused to look up at Zion’s face, “…how about you, Captain?”

“Calanthre, second division, Dormin,” Zion stated with a grunt. “How did you know my rank?” he asked, as if accusing her of having some kind of insider knowledge.

She ignored his question. “All of you coming together for the same cause? It’s truly amazing. I guess I've missed a lot these past few months,” Ratisha mused. “What cycle is it anyway?”

Sedom shoved Rosanheer back, causing him to stumble. “We’re entering the days of the Northern Lights,” she said, narrowly missing Rosanheer’s attempt to trip her. “Ah… my city would be preparing for the festival about now… if it were still standing.”

Ratisha's face paled. “I've been held captive for almost a year and a half?” she gasped. Sedom nodded. “I can't believe it. I figured a few months at best.” She hesitated, turning away to hide her frustration. She looked back to Sedom, frowning. The look on her face was as if she wanted to ask a question, but couldn’t find the right words.

Zion rested his hand on her head, sensing she wanted to ask Sedom a question. “It's okay to ask her about the past. She won't take offense,” he said.

“Strange, fearing a child,” Ratisha whispered. “It’s even stranger to have your mind read. I’m not sure which is worse.”

Hearing the word child caused Sedom to spin to Zion and Ratisha. “I’d say, having your mind read. It’s unnerving at best,” she answered. “What did you want to ask me?”

Ratisha blinked several times, nervous by the situation. “Um… yes, well, I suppose you’re right. I wanted to know what happened to the others in your group. That is if you don’t mind me asking? I’ve noticed you’ve made some…” she paused, attempting to think of the right words, “rather colorful new friends. I have a feeling the others didn’t make it,” Ratisha asked in seething words.

“She’s talking about my tattoos, isn’t she?” Rosanheer whispered to Qilo who nodded.

Noticing her in pain, Sedom reached her hand around Ratisha's neck, blocking her pain once again. Instantly, Ratisha relaxed back into Zion’s arms.

“They were all murdered. After you were taken, only three of us survived. We continued to Ryion Sital where Marisheio troops found us. They tortured Nercon…” Sedom looked away, her way of hiding a stray tear. “They removed her eye in the attempt to find out where I was hiding. She refused to betray me… she was loyal and stubborn to the end. Apparently, the Marisheio were short on time, so they shot her and Verron in the back of the head and left them in the street,” Sedom explained emotionless.

Rosanheer face turned placidly. His lips quivered, unsure if he should speak. He finally let out the name, “Talenvanc?”

Sedom's eyes darted at the Clove man. “How did you know?” she barked as if accusing him of something.

Zion shot a quick keep your mouth shut glance to Rosanheer.

Rosanheer stumbled as he walked. “Seems like his style of