Rise of Souls: A Prophecy of the Sisters Novella Read Online Free PDF

She lifted her eyes to Lia’s and bowed her head. “I am yours to command, my Lady.”
    “Very well.” Lia gathered Connall in her arms.
    Dimitri crossed the room and knocked softly on the door. He waited for a mimicking knock from the other side, obviously some kind of signal between him and the guard, before opening the door.
    “Tristan,” he said to the guard, “two minutes.”
    He shut the door and picked up the valise, turning to Lia and Una. “Stay close. We’ll go out the back, take the path at the rear of the island. I don’t want to risk the ferry landings. They may be watched.”
    “But the boats…” Una began. “They’re at the landing.”
    “Someone will be waiting for us,” Dimitri answered. “It’s all arranged.”
    He made his way to the door, knocking again. When the response sounded from the other side, he opened the door. Peering around him, Una was surprised to see not one but four Brothers standing at the ready, hands on the swords at their sides.
    “What’s happening?” Dimitri demanded of the first guard as they rushed from the room, two of the Brothers in front, two at their backs.
    The guard’s voice was low, and Una strained her ears to pick up his words.
    “The boats are readied, but we don’t know how long we can keep the landing clear. The Souls have overrun the island. We’ve managed to evacuate a fair number of the Sisters already, along with most of the children, but…”
    The rest of his words were lost to Una as they stepped outside, the cacophony of battle drowning out all else. Brennus squirmed in her arms, scowling and emitting a tiny squall of protest.
    “Shhhhh….” Una bounced him the way he liked, trying to soothe him. They stepped off the portico, and Una dropped back next to the two guards at the rear of their party. “Have you seen Brother Fenris?”
    “No.” She was answered by the strapping blond on the left. “But then again, we’ve had our hands full. He’s likely fighting with some of the others.”
    “I was supposed to meet him,” she said, her voice trailing off. “If you see him, can you tell him that I’m with Lady Amalia? And that…” She paused, trying to gather her thoughts as they hurried across the grassy field behind the main building. “That I’m sorry.”
    It was all she could think of to say.
    The Brother’s eyes met hers. He nodded. “If I see him, it will be done.”
    Her heart seemed to stutter as she took in his words: If I see him…
    As if there was every possibility he would not. As if there was every possibility he and others like him would never be seen again.
    “Una, come.” Lia waved her forward, and Una reluctantly stepped away from the guard at the back of the line, moving up next to Lia.
    Like the rest of the island, the field was covered in fog. She clutched Brennus to her chest and stayed close to Lia, Dimitri directly in front of them, flanked by guards. She could hear the sounds of battle, close now—too close—though she could not see it playing out. She could hear only the war cries of men, the clatter of swordplay, the faint shrieking of women and children.
    And then, somewhere beyond the mist, the crackle of fire.
    They had just left the soft grass of the field, stepping onto the rocky path leading to the beach, when a figure appeared suddenly out of the mist. All four guards and Dimitri turned, facing out with swords drawn as they shielded Lia and Una in a circle.
    The man who had emerged was slight and shorter than Una. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “It’s me! Cyric! I have a message for the Lady and Brother Markov.”
    None of the men lowered their weapons.
    “Give us your message quickly,” Dimitri said.
    “The Sanctuary is ablaze, the Council surrounded by the Guard.” He paused before continuing. “The Brothers await your orders.”
    Una waited in the silence, wondering what Dimitri would command, what recourse was still open to them. A second later, she was