Encounters (The Elder Origins #3) by Bre Faucheux Read Free Book Online Page A

than biblical portrayals had ever painted him.
    They held her in front of him, as if she were being presented for a feast. One man behind her ripped the cloak from her back and left her in nothing but her white tunic and dress. It was still stained from the mud and dirt of Roman streets. She felt her hair cascade loosely down her back and cover her blood stained waist. The fabric touched nearly every inch of her skin, and yet she still felt completely exposed.
    Madison was greeted with the sense of desperation. It was coming from Caspar. He was nervous. Something had gone wrong. His thirst was so strong that it nearly overpowered any other emotions coming from his aura.
    The guards spoke to Caspar. Madison could tell that it was some kind of excuse that they were giving. As if it was not their fault. But she had yet to learn what it was.
    “My men here say that you were still bound by chains when they found you,” he said coarsely, “so you had nothing to do with this.” Caspar examined his hand as he spoke. He gestured as though he were some sort of nobleman. He would only look at her with the reverence of a common criminal. When he finally glanced in her direction, he stared just below her eyes.
    “With what? Am I to know what you are speaking of with out being told of my offense?” she said brazenly.
    “I know you heard the commotion, so you can perhaps enlighten us as to what took place?”
    “I heard nothing but the sound of footsteps,” she said.
    “Was this not designed by yourself?”
    “I know not of what you speak.”
    “That man of yours led them to escape! He followed you here!” he screamed at her.
    “If indeed Jayden has, he would have rescued me first,” she said, refusing to raise her tone.
    “Are you so sure?”
    Madison was silent. Jayden hadn’t always been her savior in the worst of situations. He knew loyalty only to himself in the end. But regardless of his personal prejudices, he had always done the right thing by her after exhausting every other option.
    “I have assured the people of this city that they will have their satisfaction. And your beloved will be found,” he said.
    “Then why do you not have these men out there searching for him?”
“I did not see it necessary. I am sure he will come running back once he hears your screams,” he said.
    “I shall not make a sound. I have withstood grea ter pain than you can inflict upon me,” she said, her eyes glaring him down. He finally looked her in the eyes. If but for a second, she knew he believed her.
    He spoke to the men holding her. She was then towed away outside. A loud cracking reached her ears from the door being kicked open. Cheers arouse from the people outside at the sight of their first victim. Someone would be sacrificed for their fear of oncoming illness, and they were elated by it.
    Madison hadn’t seen such vicious eyes strike her since the Vam-pyr-ei-ak had watched as she and her companions lay dying, watching them through the line of trees. These people took her downfall as a sort of reassurance that they would be alright. They greeted oncoming death with cries of joy. For a brief moment, she knew why the Vam-pyr-ei-ak had taken the measures they had to kill everyone she loved. If this was a reflection of how the majority of white people took their victories upon watching others die, the Vam-pyr-ei-ak had every right to fear their future oncoming to their lands.
    The men escorting her to the outer stone wall of the city had to break through the crowds of people. Women reached for her dress and her hair, ripping away in fury what they could and clawing at her with their nails. She was feet from them before they could see her skin healing again. Others spit at her. She closed her eyes to avoid anything unpleasant m aking contact with her. She didn’t want to see their faces anymore. Not until she was through the stoned gate did she open them again.
    None of the other stakes were occupied. There was only one in