Pursuer (Alwahi Series) by Monique Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

right temple, edged its way down his neck, across his chest, and disappeared into his pants. His eyes burned into hers, the most brilliant green she had ever seen, an amused smile stretching his lips as his eyes took in her single tattoo. She heard a low rumble echoing her own. Zanas realized it was coming from him, and she watched as his lips began to move.
     
    “ Who are you… young one?” he hissed, his breath hot on her face. He leaned forward and inhaled her scent, close to her neck. “You smell so tasty,” he whispered.
     
    Zanas felt the hairs on the back of her neck raise. There was a soft voice deep inside her that told her she should be afraid, that she should fear for her life. But that voice was overwhelmed by the beating of her heart, and the rush of excitement that ran through her veins. She stared back into his glowing eyes. Unafraid. Unflinching. His grin grew wider.
     
    She heard movement behind him and glanced over his shoulder, seeing a girl. The girl pulled back her mouth, revealing her overly sharp teeth, and hissed at Zanas, a wild animalistic look about her. He stared at Zanas for a final moment, his eyes seeming to gleam in the dark, and then he turned and strode confidently towards the girl, who seemed to melt into the forest behind him. Zanas watched his taut back move as he followed the girl, and then he stopped. He turned, his eyes staring into hers. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart, and then he was gone.
     
    … … …
     
    She was sprawled out in the tree that she shared with Arrelia. Arrelia was frowning, her black eyes narrowed. Zanas explained the chance encounter that she had experienced that night. Arrelia remained quite throughout the tale. Zanas could tell that Arrelia knew more to the story, but the girl waited patiently until Zanas was finished before speaking.
     
    “ If he had the marks of Alwahi then he was a Pursuer,” Arrelia rushed. She pursed her lips and then frowned. “But I know of no such boy,” she paused, her voice quieting. “He must be from beneath.”
     
    Zanas frowned, her brow wrinkling. “What do you mean beneath ?” Zanas asked. Arrelia was quiet for a moment, as though she was thinking hard on what she was about to say. She looked up at Zanas.
     
    “ There is another half of our people. They are the ones beneath. We were once one great clan, but we fractioned apart when our leaders wanted different things. Most wanted to remain beneath, but others wanted to venture above. Those beneath felt we were abandoning Alwahi by coming so far away. But she still speaks to us.”
     
    “ Do you interact at all?” Zanas asked and Arrelia shook her head.
     
    “ Those beneath essentially disowned us when we went above, they are not usually seen here. I cannot think of any reason they would,” Arrelia finished.
     
    Zanas thought back to the excitement in his eyes and the wild look in the girl’s, and suddenly she knew why they had come above.
     
    “ To run free in the rain…,” she whispered. Her eyes grew heavy, and Zanas felt them closing. She stretched out in the warm furs, and she was soon fast asleep
     
    ... … …
     
    Zanas awoke to panic in the air. She looked across the tree and saw Arrelia rising up, still looking half-asleep. They could hear rushing in the walkways. Zanas knew that something was wrong, and she was not at all surprised when Surrena called out her name from outside. Pulling back the fur, she came face to face with the red-eyed girl. She felt her heart skip a beat as Surrena grabbed her firmly by the wrist and pulled her towards the clearing.
     
    Panrrela was waiting for them on the grass. Zanas noticed the same blank stare she had seen on Asenya’s face reflected in the old woman’s eyes. Lasarra sat next to Panrrela, a cup half filled with Klah stood at their feet. The old woman began to shake slightly, and then started to speak.
     
    “ They have taken her beneath. She is to be their new Dreamer, they