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

“Bet bedtime wasn’t a hassle in your house,” Qilo joked.

Sedom laughed. “I have two little sisters. Sleep was…” she paused, staring down at her wine glass. “You know, I think I’ve had enough for one night. I’ll catch you all in the morning.”

The men and Tremble raised their drinks to her as she stood. Sedom nodded her thanks then continued out into the streets.

Outside she took refuge behind one of the empty buildings. Tears clouded her eyes as she took hold of a lamppost.

“You okay, Chadon?” Hasapoi asked from behind.

Immediately Sedom reached for her pistol. To her surprise, Hasapoi was standing about ten footsteps away. “Oh, you. Don’t frighten me like that,” she cursed. “You’re really good at sneaking up on people.”

“Not my intention. I noticed you were upset. I thought you might want to talk…”

Sedom held up her hand to make the man stop. “Ghosts, Hasapoi, just ghosts haunting my thoughts. Occasionally I forget my family is dead, my people gone. What can I do, hum? I let it get to me when I shouldn’t.” She wiped away her tears. “It’s probably a good thing I don’t have a moment to myself anymore. I’d probably crumble.”

Hasapoi leaned against the wall, his balding black hair shining in the dim light. “You’ve been through a tragic and traumatic situation. I’m surprised you’ve managed to cope as well as you have.” Hasapoi mentioned. He took Sedom’s fingers, squeezing them. “Tears are healthy. You can’t keep it all bottled up inside. One day it will all come out, and usually it happens at the worst time,” he mentioned.

Sedom gulped back her tears, yet several still escaped down her cheeks.

He motioned for Sedom to join him on a walk. Sedom followed. Typically she wouldn’t bother, but her sisters had been on her mind a lot since the city incident and talking to someone, other than Garric, seemed like a good idea. That and she really didn’t want Garric, or anyone else seeing her crying.

“You saw your family murdered,” he mentioned.

Sedom nodded. “And all of my caretakers,” she added in a whimper. “Oh, great, listen to me,” she huffed.

“It’s not easy dealing with ghosts. Your people have a deep connection with the dead. You feel their energy even when they’re no longer with us. , but here, in Gathow, you’re depriving yourself of their ghosts, that energy.”

“So what’s the best way to get rid of ghosts?” she asked.

Hasapoi shrugged. “Have you been back to your city since the attack?”

Sedom shook her head. Returning to her old city was far from her thoughts. “I haven’t wanted to be shot by the Marisheio,” she pointed out.

“I thought the Dormin cleared out the cities and are now in control?” He questioned.

“They are… I just can’t bring myself to go there. I know the Dormin returned, buried the dead and tore down most of the buildings. There isn’t much left.”

“Graves?” he asked.

Sedom closed her eyes, forcing her tears inward. “All that’s left,” she gulped.

“Do you know where your family is buried?” he continued. Sedom nodded. Jasper made certain to send her that information after he returned to Carmintor. “Then you should visit them. It will bring a sense of closure to you.”

Sedom nodded as she thought about what he had to say. “It’s a good idea. When I can spare a moment, I will. Thanks, Doc.” She patted his shoulder.

“Sortec,” Danstu called from a distance away. He hurried over to her, slightly out of breath. “Are you okay?” he asked, looking straight into her eyes.

She stared right back, believing she had wiped away her tears. A stray tear ran down her cheek, forcing her to turn away. “Oh, great,” she sniveled, embarrassed. “Uh, sorry. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” he questioned, concerned for her.

She turned to him, smiling. From behind her, she could hear Hasapoi clear his throat. “Oh, uh, this is Hasapoi. I brought him on a while back to help Dranium. Hasapoi, this is Danstu Keriney, my new Chisarel.”

Danstu started to shake the man’s hand only to pull back before making contact. “Windrit,” he stated. Hasapoi nodded. “You’re a psychologist?”

Hasapoi tucked his hands behind his back, feeling Danstu’s sudden anxiety. “And your mind is blank to me. I always find it remarkable when non-Windrits can hide their minds. You must have had a good teacher,” Hasapoi mentioned.

Danstu grinned, unable to hide his amusement. “Gehan--“

“Moll… ah, from the Ocnar Mind institute?” he interrupted.

Danstu nodded. “Yes, you know of him?”

“I was his assistant for two years. I heard our new Chisarel had studied on Loos,” he paused, glancing over to Sedom. “Well, welcome to Gathow,” Hasapoi said with a bow. He hurried off, leaving Sedom to speak with Danstu.

“I didn’t expect you to hire a psychologist nor talk to one. You don’t seem the type,” he mentioned.

“To have emotions?” Sedom questioned.

Danstu shook his head. “Not what I meant. You tend to keep your distance from most people, emotionally and otherwise. I… am glad you talk to someone.” The two began to walk. “I heard rumors of what happened to you after your city was destroyed. It couldn’t have been easy for you,” he mentioned.

“Is this an attempt to be my friend?” she asked. She whisked a strand of her hair from her forehead that was tickling her. He didn’t respond, only waited for her to speak. “From the age of ten to just recently everyone I knew had died. Sometimes… it bothers me and I have difficulty holding back my emotions.”

“Like the comment about your sisters? “I have two sisters,” not had. I noticed,” Danstu surmised.

Sedom grinned awkwardly again. “I’ve been fighting so hard to stay alive these past few years, it really hasn’t sunken in that my family and