Guadalupe's Tears by Angelique Videaul Read Free Book Online Page B

Indians,” ‘Lijah admitted.
    “Wise man,” Lee agreed, feeling weary and feeling somewhat hungry.
    “You do aim to kill her, though, that she-devil Phaedra I mean?” ‘Lijah asked as he worked.
    “As soon as sun sets.” Lee said. He frowned in the darkness. “I used to enjoy watching the sun set. Now any amount of sunlight burns my eyes. That’s reason enough to kill her.”
    “You think this’ll do it?” ‘Lijah asked.
    Lee presented his fingers. “Yes, I do.”
    “Lord, I hope you and Miss Livvy are right. They’ll do a right amount of damage if you ain’t.”
    “I’ve already done a right amount of damage,” Lee said “And I aim to do a whole lot more here in a bit. That’s why I want you to take Livvy and get out of here.” He frowned. “I’ll go feral once I get started. I don’t know if I’d hurt her or not.”
    “You won’t hurt me,” Livvy said.
    Lee was about to respond when he heard something large slam against the church door, followed by hurried scraping and hammering sounds.
    “They’re nailing us in,” Livvy said.
    Moments later Lee caught the distinct scent of kerosene. “That ain’t all they’re doing. They aim to burn us alive in here.” He looked around but could not determine an exit. “We’ve gotta get out of here now.”
    Everyone stood. “Bring the statue,” Lee commanded.
    “We can’t, it’s too heavy,” Michael said.
    “That’s what I got this for,” Livvy said, indicating the wine skin. “I been collecting tears since you were taken.”
    “That’s my pretty Livvy,” Lee approved, his smile thin.
    “We gots to get out of here, or we’ll get cooked,” ‘Lijah said, alarmed. “I don’t know if it’ll hurt you none, Mr. Lee, but I know it won’t us no good.”
    “How do we get out?”
    “This way,” Livvy said, hefting the wineskin up onto her slender shoulder. Smoke poured from the front door. Livvy darted between pews until she reached the other side. She curtsied to a picture of the Virgin Mary then ran into what appeared to be an alcove. Lee was momentarily confused until he saw the tapestry covering the back wall.
    “In case the church got raided by Indians,” Livvy explained as she pulled the tapestry back, revealing the opening in the wall. “We’ll come out behind the church so unless someone is watching it, we can get away quickly.”
    “But there’s sunlight,” Lee said as he peered into the hole. “I’ll burn.”
    “No you ain’t,” Livvy said as she ripped the tapestry off the wall and dropped it over Lee’s head. The tapestry was long and heavy and covered everything but his boots. He felt Livvy’s warm hand in his. “Come on now, the mission is burning fast now.” She paused just before she helped Lee through the hole. “I sure hate we couldn’t take the Lady with us.”
    “Forget that thing and come on,” ‘Lijah commanded.
    They escaped through the hole and crept along a tumbleweed infested courtyard behind the church. Lee hunkered down into the tapestry and looked through moth worn holes as he walked.
    A gunshot echoed from the hills nearby. Livvy and the men scattered to the safety of an old stone well, which they hid behind. Lee scanned the area and saw one of the day runners who had been feeding him for the past month lurking in the shadow of a large boulder. He had a shotgun aimed at Livvy. In a burst of pure power, Lee willed himself up to the day runner, his tapestry flying as he sped with inhuman speed toward the man with the homespun shirt and leather vest. The day runner must have seen him because he paused, stunned with the rifle pointing up toward the sky, his eyes so huge Lee was certain they’d fall out of his head. He scrambled back into the shadows, thinking he’d be safe, Lee was sure, but instead did exactly what he wanted him to do. Lee launched himself over two huge boulders, and came crashing down on the day runner. The man struggled briefly, but Lee was too quick and too strong. He