Altered Destiny Read Online Free PDF

should have regained consciousness by now. But then she’d chastise herself for letting the rumors get the best of her. Svistra couldn’t possibly do half the things attributed to them, especially control minds.
    Behind her, Oren rummaged around in the kitchen. Something clanged to the floor and Selia flinched. Damn, she was skittish. Soon the locals would notice. Her heart sped every time horses neared the tavern, and the traffic had increased. Usually, the horses kept going, other times the riders stopped for a quick meal. In the last four days no one had insisted on stabling his horse, but it was just a matter of time. What if they did? What would she say? What if they somehow found the wounded Svistra? She didn’t have to think about it too much. Justice was swift in the Outskirts and, though it wasn’t used much, the tree in the town square still bore scars from the last criminal’s struggle against the rope that bound him as he was beaten to death.
    In the tavern, the noises stayed at a constant drone, broken periodically by a sudden laugh or swear. Not one suspected that a Svistra lay a hundred yards from where they drank, and she knew for that crime, she couldn’t trust in village camaraderie. If there wasn’t time to send for the king’s men, they’d beat her themselves.
    A farmer had discovered the three dead men a few days before and ironically assumed they were victims. The dark priests had given a perfunctory blessing, added the proper herbs to the fire and sent them to the Nameless god and whatever fate awaited them.
    Oren ducked through the kitchen doorway, his brown eyes scanning the room as one of the customers called for a mug of ale. Leaning over, Oren whispered, “He said thank you.”
    “He’s speaking?” Selia almost dropped the half-filled mug.
    He nodded.
    After taking the ale to the waiting customer and bringing back a few empties for refills, she drew close to Oren. “How much is he moving?” she whispered. Would they have to tie him up? What was she supposed to do now?
    “Not much really. Oh, I said I’d bring some of your willow bark tea later tonight. He seems in a lot of pain.”
    Had she expected the Svistra to die? She suddenly realized it would make her life easier. Her conscience would be clear, and she wouldn’t have a bloodthirsty monster in her barn.
    “He says his name is Jaden.”
    She dropped the mug. “What?”
    “Jaden.”
    The ale drained between the cracks in the planks of the wooden floor. Oren bent to pick up the broken crockery.
    She squatted down to help him. “Next time you go out there, I’m coming with you.”
    “Sure. He wants to meet you.”
    I bet he does.
     
    Oren hummed a tuneless melody as he and Selia neared the barn, its dark shape delineated against the starlit sky. A gust of cold wind blew from the north, bringing with it the smell of rain and tang of wet pine.
    She kept a hand near her brace of knives, her body tense and ready for action as Oren fumbled to slide the key in the lock. Successful, he moved the bucket containing a mug of tea into his other hand and, after glancing back at her, stepped into the barn.
    “It’s just me, Jaden,” he whispered. “I brought Selia. Remember, I told you about Selia?”
    The barn remained quiet as they neared the stall where she’d left the Svistra. Was he gone?
    As she followed Oren, Selia scanned the darkness beyond the pool of light cast by the lantern. Her nerves sizzled. What if he’s waiting in ambush?
    A rustle sounded ahead. The hilt of her knife found her palm as though drawn there, but Oren blocked her aim.
    “I brought you the tea,” Oren said.
    “Thank you.”
    The back of her neck tingled. It was the same voice she heard in the forest, the timbre unmistakable.
    Another rustle, and Oren stepped to a side.
    The Svistra lay propped on a bale of hay, covered in a moth-eaten blanket and wearing one of Oren’s old shirts so threadbare she could see the tattoo under the fabric. With a mug