It Wakes in Me by Kathleen O’Neal Gear Read Free Book Online Page B

her eyes and forced herself to breathe. “I don’t think we spoke much, but Wink was there every time Mother burst in and started ranting at me. While I shivered, Wink screamed back, trying to protect me.”
    When she opened her eyes, Strongheart was peering at her with a strange expression—not sympathy, more like anxious curiosity. “You must have loved her for that.”
    “The love for Wink that was born in my heart that day will never go away, no matter what Wink does, or fails to do.”
    “Then it must be difficult for you to know that she sent you here.”
    Angrily, she answered, “No one, no one , will ever convince me that Wink betrayed me! If she sent me here it’s because she truly believes I need to be Healed and you can do it.”
    Dear gods, I’ve betrayed her … .
    Sora shook her head. Despite what she thought she remembered Wink saying, it simply was not in Wink to do something like that.
    Though … she was brilliant at political intrigue and deception.
    Sora’s pulse increased, pounding in her ears. Blessed gods, is that what was really going on? She was caught up in some elaborate plan that Wink had spawned to … accomplish what?

    “Priest Strongheart?” a man called from outside. “May we enter?”
    Strongheart stared at the door curtain, and his jaw clenched. He whispered, “Hurry. Finish your clams. I’ll occupy them for as long as I can.”
    Sora gobbled down the last few bites while she watched Strongheart slowly walk to the door, pull the leather curtain aside, and drape it back over a peg on the door frame. Two men stood outside, their tall bodies silhouetted against the lavender gleam of sunset. Warriors. They both carried clubs in their fists and wore painted deerskin loincloths.
    Strongheart said, “Whose orders do you carry?”
    “The Council of Elders requests that you bring the prisoner out so that our people might see their chief ’s murderer.”
    Strongheart looked back at Sora.
    She set her bowl aside and unsteadily got to her feet. When she looked down at her dress, she blinked. It did not belong to her. It was one of Wink’s best dresses. She dressed me for the journey . Pearls covered the bodice of the finely woven sky blue dress.
    Sora made an effort to smooth her hair and the wrinkles from her sleeves; then she drew herself up and said, “I did not murder your chief, but I will face your people.”
    She squared her shoulders and walked forward. The warriors backed away to allow her to exit. Just before she ducked out, Strongheart touched her shoulder, stopping her.
    In a bare whisper, he said, “Our people are forbidden to speak with new prisoners, but that does not mean they will obey. No matter what they ask, tell them only that you do not recall the murder. My people have great sympathy for those whose souls are wandering the forest lost and alone. They have no sympathy for the arrogant.”
    She swallowed hard. “I understand.”
    As she ducked beneath the curtain, the crowd eddied and a
din of hushed voices filled the air. Wide eyes fastened on her. Both men and women wore their hair long and had pointed fingernails that could clearly be used as weapons. Perhaps fifty people had gathered to see her, but she recognized no one of any status. They were all commoners, wearing rough colorless garments and ordinary shell bracelets, necklaces, and carved wooden earpins. Interestingly, only a few people had tattoos, and they were of simple design. Nothing like the intricate geometric wonders that covered Strongheart’s body.
    If tattoos are a sign of rank, where are all of the elite? The rulers? As a common act of courtesy they ought to be here to first lay eyes upon a foreign chieftess .
    A man in the rear of the crowd, said, “Blessed Spirits, she’s more beautiful than the Traders claimed!”
    A woman responded, “Yes, but look at her eyes. Her reflection-soul is not there. You can tell it’s out wandering!”
    People shoved each other to get a better look at