Curse of Stigmata (The Judas Reflections) by Aiden James, Michelle Wright Read Free Book Online

coins; he’s not going to give them up out of the goodness of his heart. If he beats his daughter, you must not come between them,” Juan warned.
    I had no time to argue my point. The door burst open revealing a strong gust of wind and a sorry excuse for a human being, Isaac.
    “Rachel, go to your bed,” he demanded. “Judas, Emmanuel, whatever you’re called. I expect high payment for what you want. If you’re unwilling, then leave and take your drunken friend with you.”
    “I refuse to negotiate with a lying pig. Hand over what doesn’t belong to you for a fair price,” I replied, my determination stronger than ever.
    Rachel ignored her father’s demand, moving her chair closer to Juan.
    “I’m telling you girl, defy me and you’ll be sorry.”
    I could no longer stay compliant. Deciding to ignore Juan’s advice to not come between a father and daughter, I made my stand.
    “Touch her and I will strike you,” I warned as I moved toward him.
    Then came an eerie silence as Juan moved forward ready to stop whatever was about to happen. Rachel sat transfixed, her eyes full of anxiety. Fearless, I challenged him to make the first move.
    “You are nothing but the scum of the earth, Iscariot. Coming into my home and putting your nose in the business of my daughter. I strongly object to your presence, do not make me ask you again to leave. You are nothing but a blight upon humanity. It’s shameful God even allows you to wander the earth, you should be in hell!”
    I had expected a humble shepherd with a sweet natured daughter, both unwittingly in possession of something they didn’t understand and prepared to accept reasonable payment. Instead, I found myself stuck in the presence of a deeply unbalanced stigmatic and a piggish lunatic.
    “Emmanuel, I think it’s best we go. If you’re not prepared to pay then you must capitulate,” advised Juan, trying to appeal to my better nature.
    Every fiber in my body screamed to gather my sword and bring it down on Isaac’s neck, his end swift but sure. I’d made up my mind he didn’t deserve to be in this world, a degenerate. Living as isolated as he did I was certain no one would miss him. In fact, I’d be doing a great service to humanity by stopping his lifeless heart and freeing a young girl from his grip. I had nothing to lose, with Isaac out of the way I could tune in better and locate the coins. He was unaware of my intentions as I gathered my belongings in readiness to leave. Isaac saw it as a weak spot he could use by lifting an axe in readiness to bring it down on my head. It came swift and hard aimed for the back of my neck, but the idiot underestimated my reflexes. With one hand, I stopped the axe and drove my drawn dagger deep into his stomach. Rachel screamed.
    Juan was horrified, watching Isaac writhe upon the ground gurgling blood, his eyes rolling.
    “Emmanuel, what have you done?” he whispered worriedly.
    “The man was a bastard… and no doubt abusive to his only progeny. I put an end to such a wretched existence. After all, the fool even thought he’d chop off my head.”
    “I think we should leave, now!” urged Juan.
    But with a father gone, what were we to do with Rachel? I wasn’t selfish enough to leave her to an unknown fate, nor leave his body to rot away until an unsuspecting Dario found it. Leaving her behind to an uncertain fate was a harsh thing even for me to do. She could panic and alert the authorities, who might see her as the prime suspect. Juan and I would be long gone, safely across the border while she hung for murder.
    “First we dispose of the body, as quickly as possible. Rachel, you must come with us. If you stay, you’re in danger of being accused,” I warned her.
    “What about the goats, I can’t leave them?” she replied frantically, rising above her tears.
    “Goats are resilient; they feed off the land and drink from the mountain streams. Even in winter, they survive. Dario will take care of them and