Into the Pride (Nuuba Pride Shifters #1) by Michelle Monkou by Michelle Monkou Read Free Book Online Page B

anything?”
    “There’s nothing here for you,” he responded sharply. “Look, I don’t mean to sound abrupt. I … I … we don’t have much time.” He looked at his watch. The entire time he hadn’t looked up at her.
    She paused. His directness threw her off-balance. It cut deep that what they’d just shared appeared to mean nothing to him. The weight of an empty future rounded her shoulders. She had nothing with David, and a shaky future with a destroyed temple. Either way, she would be persona non grata if she didn’t complete her mission. Without waiting for his approval, Starr blindly picked a tunnel and hurried ahead.
    “Starr, wait! It’s not safe. That part hasn’t been surveyed.”
    She heard every word of his warning. Still, she pushed ahead. But, she was relieved to hear him follow, even if it was laced with colorful curses tossed at her.
    Her progress halted when a large chunk of concrete shifted and fell into her path.
    “Are you out of your mind?” David pulled her against his chest.
    “David.” She tapped his shoulder. “Look. It’s a part of the temple.” Starr dropped to her knees. She struggled to pull away large pieces of masonry. Broken slabs showed the W symbols of the Cassiopeia Sisterhood, the constellation shape of the same name.
    “Move aside. I’ll do it.”
    She didn’t budge. There was no time for old fashioned civility. Time had run out. Leaving this tunnel would stop any hopes of restoring the Nuuba Dynasty.
    They moved the debris together. It was a slow and back-breaking job, and sweat trickled down Starr’s back. No part of her was dry from the hard labor of clearing away parts of the old city. Before long, they found a small path that took them deeper into the ruins.
    From the frescoed wall and tiled pavements, Starr knew they were on the palace grounds. Her gaze swept over the area. Any hint would do, no matter how small. Hunched over, she looked for any discerning clues to their exact location.
    “There. Over there. The steps to the throne room.” She pointed and climbed over the small dirt piles. Her knees paid the price as she clambered to the top, sliding and falling into place on the other side.
    “Slow down.” David followed her. “I have to admit that this stuff is really amazing.”
    Ahead lay the queen’s quarters. Starr was sure of it. Carefully she made her way to the area. Only the foundation at the base was left. Remnants of the bright yellow paint guided her to where the doorway would be that accessed the temple under the palace.
    “Can you help me move these pieces?”
    “I’m a bodyguard not a superhero.” Nevertheless, he walked over to the blockage.
    “David, listen to me.”
    “Do I have a choice?” He sounded cranky as he tried to move one of the large chunks of a wall.
    “You have to help me get to the temple. Once there I can remove the veil that has kept you from knowing the truth.” She’d rather have explained everything under more hospitable conditions. A cozy conversation to be had in his house. But he wasn’t ready, then. She didn’t realize how much he couldn’t remember until reconnecting with him, now three years later.
    “What veil?” He looked down at his clothes and casually brushed at his head.
    “Before the final end came, Queen Mayala, your mother—”
    “My mother? I’m a Royal bodyguard.”
    “Let me finish, please. Your mother, the queen, knew about the prophecy that warned of this troubled period. This is why she created the sisterhood. When she knew she was going to die, she ordered the High Priestess Izana to lower a veil to hide who you are … the heir to Nuuba, ruler of Theos. The High Priestess was killed for what she’d done, along with the king and queen. It was left to me to raise the veil. But I can’t do it unless I get into the temple.”
    “And you kept this from me all this time? Three fucking years?”
    “I had to find you. I had to make sure you were ready.”
    “If I was ready? I