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

surprised to hear not Dimitri’s voice, but Lia’s.
    “You must go now. Fight among your men.”
    Dimitri turned to look at Lia. Una saw the emotion warring on his face. Duty to family versus duty to the island. Love of his wife and sons versus love for his people.
    He leaned over Connall and kissed his wife passionately on the mouth. Una wanted to turn away, felt embarrassed in the face of their obvious love for each other, almost ashamed to be witness to such raw feeling.
    Pulling away from her, Dimitri touched his lips to each son’s forehead.
    Then he turned to the Brothers, whispering something inaudible before speaking more loudly, his voice commanding.
    “Get them to the boats. Do not leave their side until they are on the water.”
    “Yes, sir,” the man named Tristan said.
    Dimitri stepped out of the circle. “Let’s go,” he said to Cyric.
    Una watched Lia try to mask her fear as Dimitri disappeared into the mist. When he was out of sight, she spoke to the guards.
    “Take us to the boat, please.”
    Tristan and one of the other Brothers led the way down the path. Una stayed close to Lia, trying to block out the sounds of battle. Trying to push aside her feelings of guilt. It did not seem fair that she should be escorted to safety because she was Lia’s lady-in-waiting. What of Deirdre, the sweet, serene Sister who accompanied Una to the scrying pool? And Seanna, the raven-haired spitfire who helped her organize events and celebrations?
    What would become of her many friends? Friends who, in the absence of her brother, were the only family she had on the island? She was glad that Gareth was still in Ireland with Brigid, for she would not be able to bear the loss of her brother in addition to everything else falling to ash around her. She wondered if she would ever see him again and then forced herself not to think about it. She must escape the island safely, if only because it would mean that Lia and the babies had escaped as well.
    They came to the footpath leading to the water. The waves crashed angrily against the rocky cliffs, but beyond that, she could see nothing. The sea was shrouded in mist, the distant shouts and sounds of battle the only indication there was any world at all beyond the fog.
    Una descended the hill quickly and carefully, not wanting to slip with Brennus in her arms. She dared a glance down at him, her heart almost breaking at the sight of his earnest gaze. He looked at her with such trust, as if nothing bad could befall him in her arms.
    She felt the weight of it on her shoulders.
    Her robe billowed against her legs as she stepped onto the cold sand. She realized with a start that her feet were still bare, her sandals probably sitting where she had left them on the path leading from the back of the island.
    Lia stopped suddenly in front of her.
    “Lady Amalia?” Una said, moving up to stand by her mistress’s side. “What is it?”
    Lia looked out over the beach, her eyes on the boats standing at the ready, a guide at the helm of each one. “Why are there two boats?”
    The men shuffled uncomfortably.
    Una stood straighter. “Your Lady has asked you a question,” she said firmly.
    “It’s Brother Markov,” Tristan said. “He instructed that the babies be separated, one with Sister Una and one with you, my Lady.” He bowed his head in submission, as if this would take the sting out of his words.
    “Separated?” Una said. “Why on earth would he issue such an order?”
    “I know why.” Lia’s voice was dull and faraway, as if she were already adrift on the sea with only one son. “He wants to ensure their survival.”
    And now the truth of it began to dawn on Una. Dimitri was not certain they would all make it out alive. By splitting up his sons, he was increasing the odds that at least one of them would live.
    “But…we can’t separate Brennus and Connall,” Una protested.
    Lia lifted her chin. “We can and will. My husband is right. The twins represent the