Oracle by Kyra Dune Page B

bodies
with the toe of her boot. “We don’t even know what they are.”
         Nephima advanced on one of the fallen creatures and, with a
quick slice of her katana, removed its head. She then crouched down to have a
look inside. “Looks like any animal to me.” She glanced up at Simon. “Should I
make it portable?”
         Simon
nodded. “But do it out of eyesight, please. And don’t look so put out, Selene. Lorn needs a rest.”
         Lorn surely would have protested this, but he had fallen
asleep. Or perhaps lost consciousness, though Anastasia didn’t like to think on
what that might mean. “Yes, a little rest and he’ll be fine.”
         “I
suppose we could all use a moment’s rest,” Selene said begrudgingly.
         “Not me,”
Brandon said. “I’m fresh as a daisy.”
         “So help Nephima then and spare the rest of us your chirping,”
Selene said.
         Never had
Anastasia seen a smile which looked less pleasant than the one Brandon was
giving Selene. Nephima laid her hand on Brandon’s
arm. “Carry the creature for me?”
         “Sure,”
he said, turning away from Selene. “Never let it be said I would shy away from
some heavy lifting.”
         Anastasia
sat down beside Lorn . Though she did her best not to
look at the carnage, she couldn’t escape the smell. It crawled down the back of
her throat and set her stomach to rolling. She doubted she would have to worry
about whether or not one of these beasts would make an appetizing meal, as
eating was the last thing she felt like doing anytime in the near future.
         “Here,
have some water.” Simon handed her a canteen. “How are you holding up?”
         “I’m all
right.” She managed to take a few swallows of the water before her stomach
started to protest. “I’ll be glad when we’re free of this place.”
         “So will
we all,” Selene said, her tone certainly sharper than was warranted.
         Simon
shook his head. “Must you be so antagonistic to everyone? We’re supposed to be
in this together and all you do is try to pick fights.”
         “And all
you can do is be everyone’s champion,” Selene said. “I don’t need you to tell
me how to act. In case you’ve forgotten, I recently watched my father die right
before my eyes. I know you didn’t think much of him, but I did. So excuse me if
I’m not a shiny ray of sunshine like that grinning buffoon.”
         “I’m
sorry,” Simon said, reaching out as if to embrace her, “I know what you’re
going through is --”
         “I don’t
want your sympathy.” Selene stepped back from him. “I think I’ll scout ahead
along the path and see if I can find out how much farther the woods go.”
         “Be
careful,” Simon said to her retreating back. “This place is dangerous.”
         “I’m
perfectly capable of looking after myself,” Selene retorted.
         Simon
sighed. “I know.” But he said the words low and with a defeated slump of his
shoulders.
         Normally,
Anastasia wouldn’t have hesitated to go to him with an offer of a sympathetic
ear but under the circumstances she thought it better to let him be. Everything
had changed and even though she still loved him as much as if he were her
brother by blood, still she knew something of their relationship had changed as
well. She didn’t like it, but she was going to have to get used to anyway.
Perhaps she wouldn’t even have the time left for it matter. Another thought she
would have preferred to avoid, but one which lurked constantly at the back of
her mind waiting to pounce at every opportunity. The possible briefness of her
life was not a subject she could avoid. No matter how much she might want to.

 
 
 
    CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 
 
         Daniella stood beside Richard with her arm threaded through
his. This was a means to keep him restrained, as she could feel his muscles
tight with the desire to do