Spirits of the Earth: The Complete Series: (A Post-Apocalyptic Series Box Set: Books 1-3) by Milo Fowler (reading comprehension books TXT) 📗

I gather the maps and fold them back into my belt. My gaze falls on Milton before I turn away and head to my mattress. He's sleeping easier now, no longer tossing restlessly. Perhaps my prayers were heard.

Or perhaps the evil spirit has won the battle inside him.

I shake my head. Of course the Creator heard my prayers. He hears and sees all, as He has for all time. I can't allow myself to doubt. To do so only leads to despair.

A shadowy form moves toward me from beneath the low cavern arch. I can tell by her gait and slim, muscular figure that it's Daiyna.

"No change?" Her voice is quiet as she gathers her flowing cloak to keep from brushing the bare feet of our sleeping brothers.

"He's at peace." I watch her as she looks at Milton. "What do you see?"

In the faint green light, her dark eyes focus on Milton's sleeping form and remain there for a few moments before turning back to me. "The battle is over for now."

She has my full attention. I envy her gift, and she knows I believe her, unlike some of the others in our midst. "Is the spirit gone from him?"

"No." She shakes her head and bites her lip. "But it's not fighting against his will. It's like they've agreed on a ceasefire."

"He's been fighting all day. Yet it hasn't overcome him."

"I don't know what's really happening, Luther. Only what I see. And I don't know why I can see and hear these things." She wipes her brow and sighs, exhausted. "The daemons are buried, as you asked. We could've torched them just as easily."

"Others would have been drawn to the smoke."

"Let them come. We'll kill them too. How's the ear?" She looks at it with more interest than concern.

I touch it gingerly. The healing salve is still wet. "Fine."

"You're not going to turn into one of those things, are you?" The makings of a smile curve the corners of her lips. Before I can fully appreciate the sight, the curves vanish. "Seriously".

I restrain a chuckle. "I certainly hope not. But if I do, you have my permission to put me down."

"I wouldn't need your permission." The glint in her eye softens her words. "Ali is armed and watching over the vehicle until daybreak. We didn't know how to start the engine, so it's right where the daemons left it, fifty meters out. Shechara has night watch on the ledge until dawn. Everyone else will be coming in for a few hours of sleep. We all need to rest."

The meaning in the look she gives me is clear, and I nod. I plan to get an hour or two of sleep if I can. "Ali and Shechara left alone? Do you think that's wise?"

The curve returns to her lips. "You've noticed it too?"

"I don't know what you're referring to." I fail to maintain a straight face.

She almost laughs. "I think you do!" she whispers, glancing around at our sleeping brothers and sisters to be certain they haven't been woken. "What do you think?" She steps closer to me. "Should we discourage it?"

"Did you leave them together on purpose?"

"What are you suggesting?"

"It's a simple question." I feign an impassive shrug.

She shakes her head, eyeing me as she backs away. "Go to bed." With a hint of the smile left intact, she moves across the cavern to her mattress in the midst of our sleeping sisters. Her feet barely seem to make contact as they glide across the cold rock.

I catch myself watching her go and dip my chin, turning my attention to the waiting mattress closest to the arched cavern entrance. Exhaustion weighs my steps until I sink heavily onto the firm cushion and roll onto my back. My senses swim dizzily and I close my eyes, more than willing to surrender completely and be carried away by the darkness.

"Luther!" Samson's whisper, much like the rest of him, is bigger than most. He grips my shoulder as he collapses onto the vacant mattress beside mine. "You awake?"

"No, of course not, my friend." I rub my eyes and face him. "Don't tell me you're going to sleep with that."

Beside him on the mattress where a lover might be, cradled under his brawny arm, is the rifle he confiscated tonight. He strokes it tenderly and grins.

"This is but the start of a beautiful relationship, Luther. I'm not letting her out of my sight. We've got plenty more daemons to dispatch."

He needs his wives. And soon.

"Just be careful not to shoot your head off in your sleep. Or mine, either."

He chuckles quietly, but not quietly enough. Bodies stir around us. He notices and cringes, still grinning. His eyes wander to the other side of the cavern, enshrouded in shadows, where Daiyna has undoubtedly already fallen asleep.

"I might have a chance with her, you know. Daiyna. She's warming up to me, I'm sure of it." He sighs a long gust of air. "We'll have strong children. Ten boys and girls. Ten of each. We'll have to talk about that." He closes his eyes, still stroking the rifle, his loud whisper becoming a low murmur. "I will bed her soon...Luther..."

As he drifts off to sleep, I have to wonder if Daiyna is aware of his intentions. If not, I'm certain she soon will be.

She made it perfectly clear from the start, when the men and women from our bunkers merged to share sleeping quarters, that there would be no recreational sexual activities among us. She's been responsible for keeping her side of the cavern on the straight and narrow path to celibacy, and I've done the same with my brothers. The stipulation has been that if any coupling takes place, we men would no longer be welcome here. We would have to find our own shelter elsewhere. With the daemons outside, that's been a strong enough motivator.

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