Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella by Kristie Cook Read Free Book Online

like us? How?”
    “I don’t exactly know them, but four of them live in a village about a five-days’ walk from here. I’ve been there many times over the years and they don’t look a day older than the first time I saw them. We have aged faster than them.”
    “Impossible.”
    “I’ve seen it myself.”
    She put her fists on her hips. “Then how could they live in the village all these years and no one has questioned them?”
    “They only come outside at night and the rest of the village ignores them, as if they don’t even see them. Besides, only I have lived long enough to notice.”
    “So they live secret lives while everyone else sleeps? Others ignore them, as if they aren’t even real people? If all this is true and they’re older than us but look younger, well … they sound like … like demons, Jordan.”
    “Exactly.”
    Cassandra’s eyes widened. “And you want to seek them out? Have you lost your mind?”
    “We’re no different! We don’t sneak around at night, but instead hide out on the edge of civilization. Why would Father make us live like this? Because he was afraid people would know what we really are.”
    “But we’re not demons. We’re from ang—”
    Jordan cut her off with a roar. “Don’t even say it. Stop lying to yourself!”
    She narrowed her eyes, raised up on her toes to lean toward him and lifted her chin. She kept her voice low and her words deliberate. “I am not evil. I am not a demon. And I am not going with you.”
    Then she turned on her heel and stalked off toward the hut. Jordan’s hand clamped down on her shoulder and he spun her around.
    “At least come with me to get answers. They must know something.”
    “You can get your answers. I don’t need them. I know who and what I am. It changes nothing. I don’t care about the rest.”
    “I can’t just leave you here alone!”
    She threw her arms in the air. “Why not? Isn’t that what you always wanted? Your freedom to do as you please without worrying about your father and sister? I can take care of myself. Now, I have a sick man to tend to and I won’t leave him to die, either.” She turned again and stomped toward the hut.
    “Is that what it is?” Jordan asked, catching up with her. “This strange man? You’ll stay for him rather than go with your own brother?”
    “I stay for myself, but, yes, I will take care of him until he is well.”
    “I want him gone. He leaves immediately.”
    “Leave?” She let out a bark of a laugh. “You know he’s too ill. I thought you had questions for him anyway.”
     “I won’t wait around for answers he probably doesn’t have. I already know where to find them. And I will not have him here with you alone.”
    “Then don’t leave. You’re the one insisting on going.”
    Jordan stopped. “So that’s it? You’re choosing a stranger over me? Over your own family, all that you have left?”
    Cassandra didn’t answer, didn’t even acknowledge the question. Her decision had nothing to do with Niko. Well, little to do with him. She wasn’t ready to go yet, to leave Father’s memories behind. She needed peace to grieve and time to figure out what to do with the rest of her life. If Jordan wanted to be a part of it, she would be happy. And if he insisted on leaving, she would accept that, too. But she would not go with him now.
    “You can’t do enough good in the world to cleanse the blood in your veins,” Jordan yelled. “You’re a demon. Father was a liar and a coward but now you know the truth!”
    Cassandra stopped cold. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her nostrils flared and her eyes sparked. She spun around and strode several paces toward the man she called her brother. Jordan stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his muscles bulging out of his chiton, his face twisted.
    “How dare you?” she demanded, her voice rising several octaves. “How dare you speak of Father like that?”
    “Face the truth, little sister. He lied to us. And