Blood Curse (Branded Trilogy Book 2) by Kat Flannery Read Free Book Online

the gesture from him and took two large steps toward Pril.
    Galius stepped in between them.
    “No, Milosh. Not like this.” Galius’ voice was low, but the warning within the tone could not be missed.
    “You’ve all gone mad to believe these two,” Milosh addressed the clan. “They’re liars protecting the devil’s child. Give her to me.”
    “No,” Pril said.
    “I will show you the mark,” Milosh shouted at the clan.
    “We have seen,” Ivan said. “There is nothing.”
    “That is because they’ve hidden it.” Milosh stepped toward Pril. “Hand her to me.”
    “That is not going to happen, Brother,” Galius spoke, and Pril stood taller knowing he was there.
    “You all have heard stories of Vadoma, the great Chuvani.”
    Gasps surrounded her, and she blinked, trying to steady herself. She bit down hard on her lip to keep from shouting at Milosh. Vadoma had been known for her ruthless behavior and vengeance if crossed. She peered at Galius—her eyes pleaded with him to end this.
    “Enough,” Galius growled.
    “You know Tsura brings death.”
    “My brother has become delusional because of his grief. Please, ignore him.”
    Milosh laughed, a chilling sound that struck the back of her throat and made it difficult to swallow. He bent over, throwing his hands up as he continued to carry on. The clan grew quiet, and she stepped back.
    Milosh shot up, his black hair sticking out in all directions, eyes wild and mouth turned down. He spat at her. “I despise you.”
    “Why would you say such horrible things about your sister’s child?” Sorina asked.
    “Because that child is the reason mine is dead!” Milosh went for Tsura, and Galius jumped on him.
    Tsura cried into Pril’s chest. She could feel the child grow warm. Not now. She wanted to stay—needed to. She had to see what transpired between her brothers. The skin beneath her blouse heated. Without a word she raced to her vardo, holding Tsura tight, her flesh screaming.
    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she hurried, praying no one saw the smoke from her shawl and blouse. Once inside the wagon she dropped Tsura onto the bed and reached for the bucket of water she kept on the floor. She cried out as she dumped it onto her chest.
    She dropped to her knees as pieces of her shawl fell to the floor. The smell of burning flesh permeated the room, and she gagged from the intensity of her wounds. Tsura’s whimpers faded as she ignored her child and tried to figure out how to fix what had just happened. She’d never been burned this badly before. The skin on her chest above her breasts oozed, and the cool air stung the open sores. She wheezed. A pang in her side reminded her of the broken ribs, and she leaned to the left to relieve the pressure.
    Her hands shook as she slowly removed the blouse. The corset had saved her breasts and stomach from being burned. The white chemise had singed holes, but otherwise was in good shape. Her blouse and shawl could not be salvaged. She stood on trembling legs and reached for the jar of beeswax on the counter. Her hands shook as she tried to grab hold of the lid and open it.
    Her chest stung, the skin still smoldered as the room dipped before her. She reached out to steady herself. The jar fell from her hand onto the floor and rolled under the table. Black dots danced in front of her, and she blinked as her vision blurred. She sunk to the floor and lay on her side. With the remnants of her blouse, she covered her burned flesh. The skin throbbed with the beat of her heart. The pain was so powerful her teeth chattered, and she bit down hard to stop them. She couldn’t halt her body from shaking and soon was in full convulsions.
     
    Kade spit the key from his mouth onto his lap. The gypsy, Galius, hadn’t thought to check his pockets when he let Kade relieve himself earlier. Working on a vessel his whole life he’d acquired certain talents. Pickpocketing was one of them, fighting the other. He pressed his fingers into