Souls of Aredyrah 2 - The Search for the Unnamed One by Tracy A. Akers Read Free Book Online

leave looking like a
true Shell Seeker... well, except for the tattoos.” His face lit
up. “Friends, can anyone here do tattoos?”
    “That’s it. We’re leaving,” Dayn said, rising
from the bench.
    The crowd of men groaned and jeered at Dayn,
and many muttered that they had not yet had the opportunity to
challenge the prince. It was obvious Reiv had little power in his
hands and had, thus far, proved to be an easy match for the much
older and stronger patrons. There were still a few beads left to be
won, and the men obviously wanted their chance at them.
    A hand from behind shoved Dayn back onto the
bench. The next challenger took his place across from Reiv whose
elbow was firmly planted.
    But Dayn persisted. “Reiv, enough of this.
Under no circumstance are you to test your body further. You’ll be
lucky not to lose your lobe to infection as it is. Come on. You’re
in no shape to contest anyone.”
    Reiv did not respond, his concentration fully
upon the battle of the arms. He lost quickly and pulled another
strand from around his neck. “Beads or drink?” he asked the
victor.
    “Drink!” the man replied.
    Reiv motioned the waiter over and held up two
fingers. The waiter was standing by, and gladly traded two full
mugs of wine for two strands of bead. Reiv chugged his down and
slammed the mug onto the table, then wiped his mouth with the back
of his hand. “Who’s mext…I mean next……yes, I nean next,” he
hollered.
    Suddenly a voice boomed from behind the
crowd, “The prince has had enough. He leaves now.”
    Dayn and Reiv swiveled their heads in the
direction of the voice as a sea of glazed, blood-shot eyes turned
toward it. Complexions momentarily paled, and a few went almost
green. Mutterings fell to hushed whispers and low grumbles.
    Reiv rose and swayed by the bench. “Well, if
it is not Torin,” he practically shouted. “My friends…this is
Torin.” He waved an arm toward the Shell Seeker now standing at his
back.
    Torin stared at him in silence, his muscular
arms folded across his chest.
    Reiv leaned across the table toward the group
of onlookers and whispered loudly, “He does not like me very much,
and I cannot stand the sight of his ugly face either!” The crowd
muttered their sympathies and agreements.
    Reiv stepped past the bench and wheeled
around to face Torin. “What is your business here?” he
demanded.
    “My business is with you. But I’m not here to
argue our affection for one another. I’m here to fetch you from
this place and take you home.”
    “Home? Home?” Reiv guffawed. “Let me see,
where might that be exactly? No, I think this will be my home from
now on. I rather like it here.” He swayed, then braced himself
against the table. “No, you go home and leave me be. I have no use
for you or the charity of your sister.”
    Dayn slid from the bench and took his place
alongside Torin, facing the increasingly agitated Reiv with a
frown. “You are full of drink, cousin, and you’re going to say
something you’ll regret—if, indeed, you remember anything after
this night.”
    “Well, Dayn , since you have nothing
nice to say to me either, how about you take yourself out of here
with Torin. I have no need of either of you at the moment.”
    Torin’s tolerance was clearly lacking. He
stepped toward Reiv and grabbed him by the arm. Reiv glared at the
hand upon his person and attempted to pull free, but Torin’s grip
was much too strong. Reiv was spun round and pinned with both arms
at his back. Some of the patrons moved to his defense, but Torin
shot them a warning that backed them down immediately.
    Torin turned Reiv toward the door, but his
attention came to rest on a man standing nearby. “What do you have
there?” Torin demanded.
    The man followed Torin’s gaze to the shell
bracelet that was stretched around his own thick wrist. “I won it
from the prince,” he said defensively.
    Torin let loose his grip on Reiv and took a
step in the man’s direction.