Kora (Kora Series Book 1)

by Marina Epley

  I feel cold sweat dripping down my back. That can’t be true, I persuade myself. Wreck wouldn’t tell Tartis anything. Threatening or even beating him wouldn’t make him talk.

  Tartis waits patiently for my answer. I remain silent.

  “If you tell me the truth, I’ll spare your life,” he offers.

  “I already told you the truth.”

  “Oh really? So you were just hunting.”

  I nod.

  “And what did you kill?” he asks.

  “A rabbit,” I say quickly.

  “I think you killed something else besides a rabbit. I believe you killed the high master of Central Settlement.”

  I swallow hard and stretch my lips into a smile.

  “Just a rabbit,” I repeat.

  “Do you know what I can do to you?” he asks. “I have over two hundred rangers under my command. Two hundred merciless cold-blooded killers. What if I gave you to them for a night? What if I permitted them to do whatever they please with you?”

  He pauses, watching me for a reaction. I don’t say anything, my heart beating so fast I’m becoming sick.

  “Scared?” he asks.

  I remember Ace and his friends threatening to break my legs and leave me in the woods to slowly die. But I also recall a crowd of roamers shouting my name during my initiation, celebrating my joining their group. I’m one of them now. I shouldn’t forget this fact. And yes, I’ve already spent the entire night alone with two hundred rangers, even while being drugged into a total blackout. It was quite all right.

  “Why should I be scared?” I throw a sharp look at Tartis. “The rangers are my brothers now.”

  His mouth twitches. He narrows his eyes, piercing me with his heavy stare, but I don’t look away.

  He must realize that at least half of rangers would join my side. His position in the village isn’t as strong as he wants everybody to believe. He may be the leader here, but I’m still Jin and Wreck’s friend.

  “Do you realize that your actions may lead to a war with Central Settlement?” he asks.

  I don’t answer.

  “You’ve endangered everybody in this village,” he adds.

  I remain mute, but his words worry me. I know he’s speaking the truth this time.

  “What did you and Kris do?” he inquires one more time. “Tell me and I’ll let you live.”

  I shrug, wondering what exactly he knows. He’s obviously aware that we went to Central Settlement, but perhaps that is where his knowledge ends.

  “I realize that Kris is concealing something from me,” Tartis says. “He must have had a really good reason to follow you. What is that reason? How did you convince him to help you?”

  I feel relieved. He doesn’t know that Wreck is the true high master of our land. I almost begin laughing. Because if Tartis only knew, if he ever saw the tattoo on Wreck’s back… he’d have us both killed instantly. Or maybe he’d send us back to Central Settlement. The masters would be happy to get rid of anybody who could threaten their leadership.

  “Where did all these servants come from?” Tartis asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Whose servants are they?”

  “Who?” I stare at him stupidly. “What servants?”

  “They’re your friends, aren’t they?”

  I shake my head no, although he’s guessed everything correctly.

  “What if I order them all killed?” he smiles.

  I shrug. “I don’t really care. They’re nobody to me.”

  I force myself to sound indifferent, but my voice quivers. I think of Trent. I think of Martha, Samantha and Sandro. I must find a way to protect them.

  “You have no idea what you’ve gotten into, girl,” Tartis says. “You may believe that Kris can help you. But you’re mistaken. I now understand that he fooled you. It was his idea to attack Central Settlement, wasn’t it?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean. I haven’t seen Wreck for a while and…”

  “Stop protecting him. He’s not your friend. He’s just using you.”

  I don’t answer. An image of Wreck holding a knife to my throat comes to mind.

  “You don’t know anything about Kris,” Tartis says, his voice patronizing. “He’s not the guy he appears to be. He’s done many terrible things before. I let him stay in the village only out of respect to his stepmother. But he isn’t a good person to be around.” He pauses again, then adds, “He’s very dangerous.”

  I know I shouldn’t believe Tartis. But I suddenly envision Wreck holding the severed head of his uncle. I remember him dragging his crying cousin by her hair, a wicked grin spread across his face.

  “He must have told you something to force you to help him,” I hear Tartis say mockingly. “Am I correct? I hate to disappoint you, but he’s delusional. You shouldn’t believe anything he says.”

  I sit still, listening to my own heartbeat, trying to ignore his words. But I can’t shake my doubts. I recall Wreck shouting in the dark, holding his switchblade on something only he could see. How can I trust a crazy guy? How can I know he didn’t lie to me? His own aunt called him Nicholas. Why would she call him Nicholas if his name is Christopher? I’m not sure what to think.

  My facial expression must betray me, because Tartis smiles. “You’re not safe around Kris. He’s luring you into a trap. And you’re not his first victim.”

  My head begins aching again. I remain silent.

  “He’s done it before,” Tartis sighs. “He’s been friendly toward a few other girls in the village. After gaining their trust, he did some very nasty things. He took advantage of them, then hurt them very badly. Don’t ask me why. He’s insane and it’s hard to predict what perverted ideas he might come up with.”

  I stare into the floor, attempting to seem unconcerned. I don’t think I really succeed.

  “Let’s make a deal, Kora. Tell me everything you know about his plans, and I’ll allow you and your friends to stay in my village. You won’t have to worry about Kris. My rangers will take care of him.”

  I don’t answer. No matter what’s true or not, I can’t betray Wreck, can’t turn against him.

  “I’ll let you think on it,” Tartis concludes.

  ***

  The green-eyed roamer leads me back toward the shack where I was kept earlier. We don’t talk. He follows me inside and closes the door.

  “Turn around,” he directs, pulling a set of keys from his pocket.

  I don’t move, watching carefully.

  “I just want to free your arms,” he adds.

  Why would this guy help me? I wonder, but do as he says. I’m too exhausted to remain cautious. He removes my handcuffs.

  “Thirsty?” He offers me a flask. “Have a drink. It’s just water.”

  I stare blankly into his painted face, then take the flask and drink greedily. Only now I fully realize how thirsty and hungry I am. I don’t remember when I last ate.

  “Thanks,” I say, returning the flask.

  “My name is Chuck by the way. You don’t remember me, do you?”

  I shake my head no.

  “You kissed me during your initiation,” he explains.

  My jaw drops. “What?!”

  “It was nothing serious,” he adds hurriedly. “You were telling everyone how much you loved us. And then you suddenly pulled me close and kissed me.” He laughs, averting his eyes. “You were high on Deathfall.”

  “Um,” I clear my throat. “Huh… Okay.”

  I wonder how many other rangers I kissed during my initiation, and whether Wreck was amongst them or not. Well, I guess it could have been worse.

  “We won’t let Tartis kill you,” Chuck promises.

  I watch him leave and lock the door behind.

  Once he’s gone, I’m finally able to relax. I sit down on the floor and rub my raw wrists, thinking of Wreck. Was it true what Tartis said?

  Those same vivid images flash across my mind. I recall Wreck attacking Agatha and Stella. I remember his sadistic smile an
d glazed eyes. His blood lust and desire to kill terrified me. He was only a moment away from murdering his relatives, including those whom he believed completely innocent. How can I trust him? I can’t.

  I don’t know whether he really hurt other villagers here or not. But what I do know for sure is that he’s capable of doing so. He’s aggressive, forceful and has an extremely violent temper. And it’s practically impossible to ever predict his actions.

  So even after everything we’ve been through together, after saving each other’s lives multiple times, I still don’t really know who he is. Let alone understand his motives.

  The thought hurts so much I want to scream.

  I hear the door opening. I turn to look and adrenaline shoots through my veins. A big roamer stands in the doorway, smiling, piercing me with his eyes. I recognize Ace.

  “Hey sweetheart,” he says in a tender voice. “Have you missed me?”

  I’m unable to answer. I did think of him quite a bit.

  “Remember I told you I’d kill you if I saw you again?” He takes a step toward me. “I’ve come to keep my promise.”

  [End of Sample]

  Follow this link to read more about Kora and Wreck adventures:

  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BCD9VWB

  The Mind Breaker Trilogy: Elimination

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  Eighteen-year-old Rex is trying to survive in a dangerous world where the government hunts down, imprisons and even kills those with psychic abilities.

  He’s a mind breaker, considered not only a deviation from the norm but the biggest threat to society.

  Once he reveals his abilities for hypnosis, the deadly hunt begins…

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