Sanctuary (Dominion) by Kris Kramer Read Free Book Online

That finally made him stop. He turned to me and I recoiled, expecting him to swipe at me again.
    "I can't keep you from walking in the same direction as I,” he said, his brown eyes unflinching, “but we are not traveling companions. You are not my chronicler, nor my friend. Your life was spared only because you were lucky enough to be in the church when I arrived. Nothing more. Do not think that you need to thank me, or pay me back, or keep me company. Do not think that you will learn anything useful by following me. If you feel the need to show me some kind of favor for what I've done, then you can do so by turning around and going home."
    Arkael winced, and he took a step back, keeping me at arm’s length while holding his head. Before I could offer to help, though, he opened his eyes and blinked at me, as if remembering where he was. He frowned, and an instant later he was moving north again, leaving me standing there, speechless, and wondering why I’d been dressed down for trying to help his cause.
    "No," I called after him. Arkael glanced back but he didn't stop. I could heed his words and go home. I still had time to get back without anyone knowing I'd tried to leave. But then what? I couldn't go back to that life, spending my days wondering what I'd seen today. And what would that say about me? To witness a miracle and then pretend it never happened seemed sacrilegious. "I've made up my mind,” I said, stalking off after him, determined to keep up, “and I will not be swayed. If you're going north, then that's where I'm going, too."
    Of course, that proved more difficult than I predicted. His gait was longer than mine, and he made no effort to slow down so I could keep up. I did my best, walking faster than I normally do, but I exhausted myself just to keep from losing ground. I waited for him to rest, so I could do the same, but he never did. He kept on with an energy and stamina that I clearly lacked. Finally, I stopped and put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath and rest my legs, which burned.
    "Can you wait a moment?" I called out. "I need to stop. Just a moment."
    He didn't stop. He didn't even slow down.
    "Please?" I said, louder this time. "I can't keep up with you. And it's not safe to wander out here alone."
    "Go home, priest," he called back, not even bothering to turn his head.

    Chapter 5
     
    I didn't turn back.
    I rested a moment, leaning against a tree on the side of the path, and then resumed my journey, albeit at a slower pace. I managed to keep Arkael in sight for some time. He hovered at the edge of my vision, disappearing every so often over a hill and then reappearing a little later once I crested it myself. I reluctantly sped up, trying not to lose him, but eventually I reached the top of a hill and saw him no longer.
    My shoulders slumped and my hopes fell. I knew I couldn’t catch up to him unless he let me, and he wasn't eager to do that. Nothing he did made any sense to me, though. Why would he save me at the church only to leave me behind to fend for myself? What did that accomplish? How was I to learn what God wanted from me if His messenger couldn’t be bothered to stick around?
    I sat on the ground, too tired to chase, but too stubborn to give up. I would rest my legs, just for a little while, and then keep moving north for as long as it took. He would have to stop eventually, and I could make up the time if I walked through part of the night. That would get me back to him.  Unless... A terrifying thought flittered through my mind. What if Arkael wasn't a man? What if he was an angel, or some heavenly messenger? That would explain how he showed up when he did, and how he could move so fast. But if that was true, would he need to stop and rest? Maybe he could walk forever, without sleep, or food, or shelter. In fact, I couldn’t remember seeing any supplies on him except for that little pack he carried. He didn't even have a coat.
    "Dear God," I said, rubbing my