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

way any of them could fight the current, but if his plan worked, that wouldn’t matter.

Exhaling, he looked out across the river, but even by the light of the half moon, he could barely see beyond the jetty. In those currents, there would be no knowing whether they were making progress. They could be ten feet from the other side and not know it until their feet struck rock. And the icy waters would quickly drain their strength. It would be a dangerous crossing, even for the best of swimmers.

Hopefully they wouldn’t need to swim the entire crossing.

“We’re going to use the bridge,” he said, his words carrying in the silence of the night. “Once you’re in the water, kick out as far as you can, but don’t fight the current. Eventually the river will carry you beneath the bridge. When that happens, grab for the support pillars. Use them to cross the rest of the way. Hopefully we’ll be far enough out into the river that the guards won’t hear us.

The Perfugians stared back at him, fear shining in their eyes. He cursed inwardly, suddenly doubting himself. Could they do this? Surely there was another way to escape, some plan that didn’t risk them all perishing in the icy waters…

Travis stepped forward and clapped Lukys on the shoulder. “Let’s do it.”

Moving past Lukys, he took hold of a ladder at the end of the jetty and slid over the side. Isabella followed him, her eyes catching Lukys’s. He suppressed a shudder, but said nothing. The Tangata were powerful swimmers, capable of crossing even the broad expanse of the Illmoor. Perhaps they could help their partners survive what was to come.

“Hurry The Fall up.” Travis’s voice came from below. “The water’s bloody freezing.”

“Go,” Lukys whispered. “Wait for us on the other side.”

His words seemed to break some spell that had been cast over the rest of the recruits. Dale followed and one by one they stepped past him, jaws clenched, eyes fixed on that distant, invisible shore. Freedom. Finally only Lukys stood on the jetty—until a figure stepped from the shadows, and he realised Sophia had not yet entered the water. A lump lodged in his throat as the Tangata approached.

Lukys, she whispered. He tried to turn away, but she caught him by the arm. Lukys, please, what’s wrong?

He looked at her and saw the pain in those pure grey eyes, the fear. He swallowed, seeing again their dance, the soft music whispering in his ears, their kiss. His heart throbbed and he could almost taste her lips, feel her breath against his cheek…

His stomach twisted as another image came to him, of Adonis towering over them, his mind crushing them down. Anger returned and he tore his arm loose.

“You know,” he spat.

Her eyes slid closed and he could see the truth on her face, so much more open than the other Tangata, as though she could not help but reveal her true emotions to him. He ground his teeth, fists clenched, wishing…for what?

I can explain, she whispered, reaching out an arm.

He stepped back. “Explain what, Sophia?” he asked, voice bitter. “That you’ve been manipulating us all along, controlling us? Is that what you can explain?”

No! she cried, a tear streaking her cheek. That’s not how it works, not how we use our Voices!

“No?” Lukys growled. “Are you telling me you and your brethren were happy to bow to him, to allow him to murder us?”

I… Sophia trailed off, her eyes wide. Then she hung her head, and Lukys sensed shame rolling off her. What Adonis did, feeding our despair, using our fears to subdue us, it was forbidden.

And yet each of you has done the same to us.

We haven’t, Sophia hissed, matching his gaze now. At least, not as he did. We can only…encourage what is already there—trust, appreciation, happiness, joy. That is why not all assignments are…successful.

Encourage? Lukys asked. He looked away. And what have you encouraged in me?

Nothing, Sophia murmured. She stepped towards him, placing her hand on his arm again. He shuddered, but this time he did not pull away. Don’t you see, Lukys? Your Voice, it’s…stronger than mine. That was why you could resist Adonis, why the humans follow you. I could never have encouraged you, nor manipulated you as you claim. I could only wait for you to see me as I truly am—rather than the monsters from your history books.

Lukys’s heart throbbed at her words, and yet…how could he believe them? After everything she had lied about, everything the Tangata had concealed from them, the trust was gone. He looked at her, at the woman he had spent so much time with these last weeks, and felt only a coldness in his core.

And the others? Lukys asked, his inner voice bitter.

Sophia shook her head. What they feel is real, Lukys, the Tangata replied. Their partners only helped them see the truth…faster. Please, Lukys…you have to see—

“No,” Lukys whispered. He swallowed, glancing back at her. “I don’t. I’m sorry, Sophia. You’re right, I can see you’re not the monsters we thought. But…this is wrong. I can’t trust you.”

With that he turned and stepped to the edge of the dock. The dark waters rushed past below, silent, the others disappeared into the night. He let out a long breath, blood thundering in his ears, and fought the urge to turn back, to embrace the warmth he had found in this strange city. Clenching his fists, he leapt.

And plunged into the icy depths.

31

The Fallen

Romaine froze as Yasin’s voice whispered across the pass. Cara weighed heavily on his shoulders and exhaustion had wormed its way deep into his soul. His legs ached from the ascent and his head was pounding. He was at the end of his endurance, but he turned to face the man who had tried to kill him.

Wearing a smug grin, the Flumeeren pointed his crossbow at Erika. He was obviously well aware of the powers contained in her gauntlet.

“Take it off,” Yasin