The Outcast by Calle J. Brookes Page B

despised more, the father or the grandfather. Neither were good men; wealth, archaic traditions, arrogance, and greed had affected both of them in ways that he could not admire. But their grandfather, he had an angry streak that he had often taken out on whichever grandchild had been closest at the time. Marcos had felt the old man’s fist on several occasions. Whereas his own father had never struck him. There was that. “And of our other siblings? How many be there now?”
    It was Nalik that answered as he stepped over to their group, his arm wrapped around his young Rajni . “Eighteen. The youngest, a girl, is barely thirty.”
    “They kept her?” They’d not been able to get rid of Aureliana fast enough.
    “No. They sent her to Clarion when she was barely fourteen. She comes through with him next.” Nalik’s grin was just as wicked as Aureliana’s. “They do not realize that the heir that both your father and grandfather so desperately want is that girl. She has a great destiny to fill someday. Not anytime soon, though. Marcos, how have you been, dear cousin?”
    “So-so. Until recently. Nalik, my Rajni. Lana, this is my eldest cousin. He taught me much about fighting.”
    “I’d hope you have learned much in four hundred years.”
    “I’ve learned a bit.”
    Nalik and his female took a position next to Aureliana. Nalik looked at the woman in Marcos’s arms. “You will speak with Eaudne today, Marcos. She can help your female feel far less pain. She has great experience with such things.”
    He pulled in a breath, and turned Lana to face him. He could see the truth of his cousin’s words in her eyes. “Why did you not tell me you were hurting?”
    “Because it is not near as bad as I have been accustomed to.” Her matter-of-fact words were like knives in his heart. What self-respecting Dardaptoan male wanted to hear that his female was hurting?
    And know that he could do nothing about it?
    He turned toward his sister and his cousin. “This woman, she can help?”
    “Yes.” They spoke in unison.
    “Then we will see her at once.”
    “After everyone is through,” Lana said. “I need to see if my brother comes. My people need me to lead them. I cannot shelter here forever. I have responsibilities that must be met.”
    “As do I. But my first goddess-given right and responsibility is to ensure you are safe and whole. And not hurting.”
    “And I need to appear strong. My people—”
    “Can wait.”
    “As can I. I have waited this long. I need to see… my brother… He needs dealt with. And I should be the one to do it. When the Amyenka House is through, then I will seek out this woman. Until then, I have a duty that I must uphold.”
    Even though she argued with him he could feel the tremors shaking. She was afraid of what he would say; the realization stabbed at him. She was afraid of him.
    It spoke of the long battle they would face, didn’t it?
    “If you have such a duty, then I have the same. My duty is to remain at your side.”

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter 11

     
     
    SHE was grateful for the strong arms still around her. She didn’t want to face Ragner alone. To look at him filling the position that by all rights had been her mother’s. Her father’s.
    Hers. If she had wanted it. She’d been raised to be the heir of the Amyenka House. Ragner had taken that from her. Their family lines had once been the largest Dardaptoan in Russia, numbering close to five thousand. Mostly males; strong fighters who prized their abilities to defend the Amyenka House.
    That number had splintered by a third after her father’s death.
    “Does anyone know how many Amyenka will be coming?”
    “They number just under four thousand.” It was Marcos’ cousin who spoke, and Lana forced herself to meet his eyes. He looked at her like he could read her soul. And that definitely scared her. “They are disheartened, by the recent past, and by the orders to relocate.