Bride of Blood:: First Kiss by Anthony E. Ventrello Read Free Book Online Page B

around.   Nevis at that time was in the heart of the slave trade.   Both of them were against it for many reasons.   The amount of suffering they had both witnessed from the boats that came from the West African coast was more than anyone, let alone a sensitive fifteen- year-old boy should see.   “You will make a difference in the Colonies, Hamilton.   I have a feeling that your name will be known around the world someday.”
                              Hamilton looked into his friend’s eyes.   He felt a slight tremble for some reason.   As much as he loved and admired Anton, he was still startled by his friend.   “You have more faith in me than anyone.   I won’t disappoint you,” said Hamilton.
                              “I know you won’t, Hamilton,” Anton smiled as he turned away for a moment.   He felt a lump in his throat.   “Remember your promise, though.”
                              “I will, my friend.   I promise that I will take up the cause of liberty for all men.”
                              “Look around you, Hamilton,” said Anton with his arms wide.   “See the misery that slavery has brought to our island.   We must do what we can to stop its spread and practice in the Colonies.”
                              Hamilton nodded.   “I will do what I can.”
                              There was a silence between the two friends for several moments.   Hamilton broke the silence saying, “I wish you could see me off in the morning.”
                              “I do, too.”
                              “More than that, I wish you could join me in New York.”
                              “I know, but for the moment I have no desire to go there.   But I shall think of you often, and I expect a letter from you from time to time.”
                              “You shall, my friend,” said Hamilton, offering his hand.
                              Anton shook his hand and pulled his young friend into an embrace.   As they parted, Anton knew that it would be the last time he would ever see his young friend, but it sure would not be the last time he heard of him.
                             
    The sound of someone stepping on a stick brought Anton back to himself.   He cursed his breath because their carelessness would draw attention to bounty hunters.   At the moment he only sensed the approaching slaves and nothing more.
                              Within minutes Anton was escorting the frightened group of runaways through the dark woods towards a farm that would house them for the remainder of the night.   There were roughly 10 of them of all ages.   One of them in particular caught Anton’s eyes.   She was a beautiful black woman of medium brown color.   Her eyes were soft and alert.   Her heartbeat was strong, filled with courage and hope.   Her name was Celeste.   Her beauty in the moonlight was almost enough to stop Anton’s heart.   A steady stream of emotions ran through him that he hadn’t felt since Charlotte left him to become a handmaid for Lady Bernadine.   He never wanted to feel any sort of romantic feelings for any woman since then, but he could not control the strange sensation that overcame him each time he looked at her.
                              He was so into her that he didn’t even hear the approach of bounty hunters.   When he finally heard them, it was too late.  
                              A rifle cracked and Celeste suddenly dropped to the ground.   Anton spun around and saw the bounty hunters. There were four of them and they were approaching quickly.
                              “Run!” he yelled to the frightened slaves.   They obeyed without argument and tore off into the woods in direction they had been going.