The Last Narkoy: Gathow: Book 2 by Elizabeth Price (find a book to read txt) 📕

“Sedom,” Ratisha spoke weakly. She held onto Sedom’s hand, pleading. “Sedom, please, don’t do this.”

Sedom took her hand, comforting her. “We have no other choice. After it's removed I can heal the wound. From there I'll need someone to get rid of the pod.”

Zion shook his head disturbed. He rested his hand on her shoulder, pulling her back slightly to speak to her. “Sortec, you haven't slept in three days. Your body is already weak from healing Patto and Rosanheer. We can't afford to lose you right now. You’re the only one who can allow us into Gathow,” he protested low.

A deep, exhaling breath began Sedom's words, “Let me do this. When I'm done I'll rest until the rain has stopped. After, we'll return to Gathow,” she offered.

Ratisha held tight to Sedom's hand. “Sedom, please, don't do this,” she begged.

“I don't have a choice. I can't take you with us if they're tracking you. I can't leave you behind because they'll find you and follow out your sentence. I promised Patto to take care of you. This is the only way I can.”

Qilo removed his knife from his weapons' belt. “Show me where it is,” he decided as he forced Rosanheer aside.

“Sedom, NO!” Ratisha screamed. She latched onto Sedom's forearm, pleading for her not to remove the tracking pod.

Sedom forced the now wailing Ratisha back against the wall, forcing the contact. This time, she held her free hand to the left side of Ratisha’s face. “Ratisha, it's okay,” she soothed, forcing her way inside Ratisha's mind. Sedom began to sway, feeling her body held by two firm hands.

“Do what you need to. I've got you,” Zion assured.

Sedom guided Qilo through every step as he removed the pod. When the pod revealed itself Sedom had just enough energy to heal Ratisha's incision before she collapsed from exhaustion. All Ratisha could do was weep.

With the pod in hand, Rosanheer ran out into the storm to get rid of it. Moments later an explosion echoed against the cave walls. Everyone except Sedom turned to the cave’s entrance to watch Rosanheer dive for cover within. Ratisha's green eyes blinked several times to hold back her panic and shock.

“They’ll kill him if I don’t cooperate,” Ratisha gulped, her face now placid.

Zion knelt to Ratisha, holding her shoulder. “Kill who?” he asked calmly.

Ratisha shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. “It doesn't matter now. He’s as good as dead. I didn’t want to--”

“Kill who!” Zion demanded.

“Zion,” Sedom spoke up, still in a daze. “Leave her be. She was protecting her husband.”

“Patto?” he asked, confused. “The Mandicien man who died in the forest?”

Ratisha gasped. “His dead?”

Sedom slowly nodded. “He was… used as bait for us. He died in my arms from a poisoning pod in his heart. It was quick,” Sedom assured Ratisha. She sat back, propping herself against the wall to look at Ratisha. “I understand you were only trying to protect your own, but if you ever lie or betray me again—“

“Sedom, you know I never wanted to hurt you—“ Ratisha protested.

“We risked a lot to break you out of there, but know I won't hesitate to turn you back over to the Marisheio if I feel I can’t trust you,” she spoke enraged, but not yelling.

“I had no want to--”

“Save it,” Sedom barked. She settled back against the wall. Did she blame the woman for trying to save her husband? How could she? Roles reversed, she would have done anything in her power to save her loved ones. And technically she was about to rage war against those who killed her family.

She started to waver, but Rosanheer managed to grab her before she could fall over. He picked Sedom up, carrying her over to the fire. As he set her down, Sedom held onto his hand, not releasing it.

“Sortec?” Rosanheer questioned.

She turned his hand over, looking at his fingers. She then looked up into his eyes, resting her hand on his chapped cheek. “You’re not whole,” she said cryptically as she slowly passed out against the rocks.

Rosanheer turned to Zion, confused by her statement.

Zion chuckled. “She just now realized you’re not fully Clove. Your fingers gave you away,” he mentioned.

Rosanheer lifted his fingers to examine them in the light. “And here I thought it was my eyes,” he joked back. “I’ll take first watch. You two get some rest,” he offered.

Sedom woke the next morning, her eyes opened on Zion. He was sitting by the fire, stirring ashes. Someone had placed a blanket over her to keep her warm. He glanced over to her and gave a quick nod.

“Rain's let up,” he stated, pointing over to the cave’s opening where the soft morning light beamed just outside. “Are you able to walk or do I need to carry you too?”

Sedom turned to the cave opening, smirking. How many times had she looked out that opening? Waking up within her cave felt strange to her, but also comforting. She slowly sat up, taking a seat on a large rock.

Ratisha was still asleep, but the other two men were missing. “I… should be fine. Where are your friends?”

“Qilo heard a noise and they went to check it out. I guess, those tofs are up to something, but you can never be too sure.” He stood, tossing his stick into the dwindling fire. “When you're up to it, we'll head for home.”

Sedom nodded as she motioned to Ratisha, who was still fast asleep. “How is she doing?”

“She's numb… a lot of mixed emotions. I'd have to say she's better than most. The typical mental state from anyone that was rescued from a death sentence, tortured, and just told their spouse was murdered. She'll be worthless for a while, but I believe she'll come around.”