The Defiance (Brilliant Darkness) by A.G. Henley Read Free Book Online Page A

thought the sick ones weren't harmful was enough to protect him. I have to believe something, anything, other than that he's gone. Bear grabs my hand, yanking me backward.
    "Fenn, wait . . . I want to help," he pants. But what can he do?
    "Let me go. I have to find him. It might not be too late."
    "I'm sorry, Fenn. So sorry."
    "Don't say that to me. Not yet." I try to jerk my arm away from him, but he hangs on. "If you think he's already gone, then you don't believe me about the Scourge. If you did believe me, you'd know there's hope."
    Some logical part of me, buried under a rockslide of fear, knows that isn't fair. I'm terrified Eland is in danger myself. But I want to lash out at someone, and Bear is the only one here. "I have to go."
    "I'm coming with you." His voice is equal parts determined and petrified.
    "Bear, no. You can't." I put my hand over his on my arm. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said what I did. Don't put yourself in danger to prove you believe me."
    "I won't be in danger. If we believe they can't harm us, then they can't . . . right?"
    I walk toward the open air impatiently. The sick ones pace and howl at us a few steps away. "In theory. I'm not willing to let you test it, though. Go back inside. Bring the water."
    "I'm going with you." His tone tells me he's done arguing. I try anyway.
    "I don't know where Peree is, and now Eland is out there with them." I motion to the creatures. "If you set foot outside this cave, then every male I care about could be in danger. Please stay here. Please. I can't risk losing you, too." I hope he won't read more into that than I mean.
    "So you do care what happens to me."
    I step away again, moving outside of the shelter of the cave mouth. The sick ones shriek at my back; I raise my voice to be heard. "Of course I care, you stupid boy. You're one of my best friends."
    "I'll hold your hand. If I can feel your hand in mine, I think I can do this."
    "No! Don't—"
    It's too late. He lunges out next to me, grabbing my arm. I can only stand there, too stunned to react. It even seems to surprise the sick ones. But not for long. They surround us.
    Bear pulverizes the bones of my hand, but unbelievably he also manages to stand his ground . . . for a few seconds. His grip weakens, and he moans. He sounds like he might pass out from the fear.
    “They’re going to . . . no, don’t . . . Fenn! Help me—”
    I dash back into the cave mouth, hauling him with me while he's still upright. He crashes to the ground a few steps inside. Other voices approach from the main cavern, probably coming for the water.
    "Bear! Are you okay?"
    There's no answer. I grab his scruffy cheeks and put my ear to his mouth. He's breathing, thank the stars.
    So I leave him to the others and run out into the night, hoping against hope that I can still save my brother. Hoping he had as much courage as Bear did. But not believing for a moment that it would be enough.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    I run through the clearing, calling for Eland. I trip and fall over, scraping my knees and palms. Ignoring the pain, I pick myself up and listen. The sick ones roam around our shelters, probably searching for food. I push into each structure thinking Eland could have barricaded himself in somehow. But he's not here.
    Where would he have gone? Kadee and I worked down by the water hole for some time. If he'd been there, and still . . . himself, I would have heard him. Where else could he be?
    I search the gardens, listening to the sounds of the sick ones, hoping to make out a word. Rose talked to me after she became one of them. Maybe Eland would, too. Eland help me. Help me find you.
    I wander, moving slower and slower, and end up by the water hole again. He wouldn't have left the area, not with the sick ones here. Not unless he no longer had the use of his reason.
    Grief whispers malevolently in my ear, threatening to dissolve the last of my self-control. I can't lose Eland. How would I survive that? Losing Aloe was hard