Wrath of the Forgotten: Descendants of the Fall Book II by Hodges, Aaron (best romance books of all time txt) 📕

So he offered Sophia a smile and nodded for her to lead the way. A smile of her own appeared on Sophia’s face and she started off across the plaza without looking back. Drawing in a deep breath, Lukys followed her into the city.

It was still early, but dozens of Tangata already thronged the streets, moving about their business in the graceful manner in which they completed all tasks. Morning mist clung to the city, making it difficult to spot the humans amongst the wanderers, though if Lukys paid attention he saw them. Assigned humans apparently made up some ten percent of New Nihelm’s population.

Despite the presence of his fellow humans, it felt odd to walk so freely amongst the Tangata. There were no guards now, no bonds or watchful eyes. Only Sophia and that gentle smile.

Did the Tangata truly trust their human slaves so easily? What was to keep them from attempting an escape, even after swearing themselves to their assignment? Though even as the thought came to him, Lukys realised the futility of such an action. Where would they go? The Tangata were faster and stronger, better in the wilderness than even the Calafe. It would not take long for the creatures to hunt down an escaped human. Lukys had no doubts as to what would happen then.

The numbers on the street swelled as they made their way deeper into the city, though they still numbered nowhere near the crowds in human cities such as Mildeth or Ashura. He found himself scanning those who passed them, practicing spotting his human comrades.

His lips twisted into a frown as he glimpsed something strange amongst the crowd. Distracted, his foot caught on a loose cobble and he stumbled, barely catching himself before he fell. Something that sounded distinctly like laughter touched his mind and he scowled to see the eyes of several Tangata upon him. They looked away as he met their gaze, but the whispers continued. These creatures did not know he could hear them.

Shaking himself, Lukys attempted to close his thoughts to the sound and focused on what he’d seen. Sophia had come to a stop nearby, but she said nothing as he searched the pedestrians moving around them. For a moment he thought the group might have already passed on…

There! Lukys stared as the two children wandered past. Their grey eyes were fixed on the curb beneath their feet, arms stretched out wide, and they trailed behind an adult, trying to keep up as they balanced on the stone lip.

“What the hell…” Lukys muttered.

He started after them, but Sophia stepped between him and the youngsters.

What are you doing?

I’ve never seen Tangatan children before, he admitted.

The sight shattered the last remnants of the lie he’d been taught his entire life. Watching the boy and girl wander past, playing on the street as any human child might have done…it was impossible to resolve with the image of the Tangatan savage, of monsters that sought nothing but the extinction of humanity.

Did you think we grew on trees? Sophia asked, one eyebrow raised.

Lukys shook his head. The two had fallen off the curb and were now leaping from cobble to cobble, obviously trying to keep from stepping on the cracks. Their minder had noticed the delay and turned back to collect them. His eyes were a light blue.

“You trust us with your children?” he whispered.

The amusement vanished from Sophia’s face. Come, she said, taking him by the arm. We’re almost there.

Lukys allowed himself to be led away, though not without a sense of confusion at Sophia’s reaction. Why did she want him away from the children? He kept an eye out for others as they continued, but after a few more turns, they found themselves in quieter streets. Here, the vibrant colours of the buildings did not change—or rather, they continued to change with every building they passed, and Lukys found himself wondering again at the beauty created by Calafe’s spirit of individuality.

Where exactly are we going? Lukys asked finally.

There was a strange look about Sophia as she glanced at him. Our new home.

Before he could question her further, she came to a stop in the street. Lukys paused beside her, realising they stood before a set of open wooden gates. A narrow corridor beyond led into what appeared to be small courtyard. The buildings here were only two stories high and even with the day still young, he could see the space was lit by sun.

“Here?” he asked.

Sophia nodded and took his hand. He flinched at the intimate touch, though her hand was surprisingly warm, and flashed her a sharp look.

Together, remember? she murmured.

Lukys detected a sad undertone to her voice, as though his resistance to her touch hurt her. But she was right. The Matriarch, the Tangata, everyone in this city believed he had sworn himself to her. He needed to play the part. Swallowing, he accepted her hand and he gave her fingers a squeeze, trying to reassure her. Sophia seemed to take the action as acceptance, and led the way through the open gates.

Inside the courtyard, a single tree stretched up above the low roofs, its wiry branches brightened by the same pink blossoms that had lined the main avenue through the city. Someone must sweep the cobbles within the court regularly though, for the stones were free of both blossoms and dirt. To their right a set of polished wooden stairs led up to a terrace that ringed the courtyard. Doors to inner rooms led from both the terrace and the lower floors, and Lukys guessed each must belong to a different household.

Wooden tables and benches had been placed out in the courtyard and several figures were already seated there, steaming mugs lifted to their lips. A sharp pressure tightened around Lukys’s chest as he caught the distinct northern twang of Perfugian accents amidst the group’s chatter. He let out a heavy breath as he recognised several faces, his last reservations fading. Sophia hadn’t been lying. His