The Hawk and the Jewel (Kensington Chronicles 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

as she was told, taking a place at the small dining table that sat against one wall. Brandon immediately placed food before her, and while Shani stared at the strange fare, he sat across from her. Shani's eyes flew to his, and then to his empty place setting.
    "You do not eat," she commented, although she didn't know why.
    "I'll eat later," he told her. "For now I'd like you to eat and listen to what I have to say."
    Shani opened her mouth to say she was not hungry, but her stomach growled as if on cue. Ignoring her utensils, she picked up a strange-looking piece of bread and nibbled on the edge.
    "I'm not sure what you've been told about yourself, so I'd like to clear a few things up for you." Brandon paused to make sure she was listening before going on.
    "First of all, I was not aware of the fact that my coming would be a surprise. Until Ali introduced you as-" Brandon hesitated over the name, having heard it only twice.
    "Shani," she supplied softly, but with great pride. * Brandon nodded. **I guess the first thing I should have told you was your real name."
    Shani's mouth opened, and her eyes widened. Brandon wondered what the next few hours would bring if she didn't even realize her name had been changed.... The thought hung in his mind.
    In the moments that Brandon was silent, Shani searched her own mind for some way of gaining the upper hand. Her chin rose slightly when she felt sure of herself.
    "I do not know for what purpose you have stolen me, but I am sure if you return me to Ahmad Khan, you will be rewarded handsomely." It was a bluff on Shani's part, but she was suddenly terrified of what he might tell her. Surely Poppy would take her back, if only she could make this man believe he wanted her.
    Brandon shook his head slowly, not wanting to crush her, but knowing he could not condone her denial of the situation. His heart turned over with compassion for her, but he also felt some anger at the cowardly way the emir had handled this whole affair.
    "Your name is Sunny Gallagher, and you were born in England," Brandon began softly and continued when he saw curiosity flame in her eyes. "Ali sent word and asked for someone to come for you. Until now they believed you were dead."
    "Who thought I was dead?" Shani whispered, her brow knit with confusion.
    "Your family."
    She shook her head and came out of her chair, searching the room as though she would run. Brandon stood also, keeping himself between her and the door. It was now dark outside, and they were many miles from shore. Were she to escape again, they would never recover her.
    "I'm sorry," Brandon said as he took in her panic. "I didn't know how else to tell you."
    "You lie," Shani whispered, her eyes begging him to admit it.
    "No, Sunny, I don't." His eyes begged her to believe him.
    "I am Shani!" she lashed out in a last defense.
    "No," Brandon's voice became very firm. "Your name is Sunny, and that is how I will address you. I think this has been too much for you," he went on in an unyielding tone. "I want you to go to bed and get some sleep."
    Shani, nearly out of her head with confusion, voiced the first thought that came to mind. "You will not order me to bed as you would a child. I am nearly 15."
    This time it was Brandon's turn to be surprised. All Shani's movements came to a complete halt on seeing his raised brow.
    "It's true that your birthday is near," he said softly as he watched her eyes grow round again. "But you're going to be 14, not 15." Brandon's voice was at its gentlest, but this announcement was still more than Shani could handle.
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    Her mind screamed that this man was lying to her, but in her heart she knew the truth; she knew who had done the lying. Ahmad, Indira, Ali, Rashad, all of them-for years they had lived a lie. For years a family she had never known had grieved her death.
    Shani tried to take it all in, tried to make herself understand, but it was too much. Black spots danced before her eyes, and she heard harsh sobs coming