Into the Triangle by Amylea Lyn Read Free Book Online Page A

looked over at Simon, and the large redhead shook his head. "No, we'll take them both. Father Willis can decide what he wants to do with this one," he said, nodding his head down at the young man he held a knife to.
    After that, there was little discussion. Gabe found himself marched out of the hut, following Horace, with Aaron and Simon bringing up the rear. He couldn't say he was surprised that instead of leading them toward the big hut in the center of the village where Father Willis resided, Horace led them toward the woods. The whole time they tromped through the dense foliage, Gabe thought about escaping, but fear for his friend held him back. Simon still held that big knife, and honestly, Gabe didn't know his way around the island well enough to make a clean getaway. He could try to make it to the lagoon and the possible safety he'd find there, but with his luck he'd most likely trip over something and break a leg, then he'd really be screwed once found.
    No, he chose to stay, and bide his time for a better moment for both he and Aaron to escape.
    It seemed like they were walking forever, but in actuality it was probably only ten minutes or so. It's funny how fear played on the senses, making everything from a person's hearing to a simple touch sharper, and yet time seemed to slow down to a snail's pace …
    He shook his head, banishing the panic filling his mind and the racing thoughts that came with it. Gabe suspected he needed to stay focused and on top of his game if he wanted to survive whatever was waiting for them at the end of this desolate hike through the dark.
    Finally, a glow could be seen through the trees, and Gabe and Aaron were ushered into a clearing. A small wooden hut sat in its center, and the glow filling the clearing came from the small windows, signaling someone was home.
    A sinking sensation began in Gabe's gut, and for some odd reason, his pearl started to give off a low hum.
    He'd just opened his mouth to ask the two meatheads what now, when the hut door ripped open, and the imposing shape of Father Willis in his pitch black robes filled the doorway.
    "It's about time you got here! What took you so long… and what's he doing here?" the priest asked, pointing at Aaron with an angry look darkening his skeletal features.
    Horace and Simon immediately began to explain and grovel, talking over each other in their rush to explain.
    "Sorry, Father…"
    "So sorry!"
    "But the one you requested put up a fight. For such a skinny guy, he's pretty scrappy…"
    "Simon said to bring them both and let you decide what to do with the other…"
    "We couldn't just leave him in the village…"
    "Please, we did as you asked…"
    "Did we do good, Father?"
    The two men pleaded like whipped dogs begging their master for a treat, and Gabe was disgusted by the display. What was is about Father Willis that inspired so much reverence and fear in these men? Ignorance no doubt played a huge role, and he wouldn't have been surprised to find both Horace and Simon came from a time when priests could do no wrong, and the average man was unworthy to do anything but worship them and their god.
    "Enough!" Father Willis finally snarled, patience waning as his two minions continued to fawn over him. "Just get them both in here. We don't have much time and I want that pearl before the bond sets too deeply."
    Gabe's eyes widened and his hand immediately flew to the pearl imbedded in his forehead. It was warm and thrumming under his fingertips, almost as if it was reacting to something he couldn't yet see. This kidnapping is all about my pearl ? Good god, what does Father Willis want with it ?
    A hard shove had Gabe moving forward, and he found himself ushered into the little hut and right into a scene from his worst nightmares.
    The small hut was a single room, fifteen by fifteen feet on the inside, with a small hearth containing a roaring fire located along one wall, filling the room with a soft light. Shadows played upon the many