Thunder Read Online Free PDF Page A

She shook Selah. “Did. You. Touch. Him?”
    Selah burst into tears. “No, I didn’t touch him. I stayed far away, and then the boys came.”
    Mother emitted a strangled gasp. Her grip relaxed and her hand fell away. She reached out an arm to enfold Selah in a hug. “My sweet baby.”
    â€œStop calling me that! I’ll be eighteen tomorrow. I’m sick of everyone treating me like a child.” Selah pulled away and crossed her arms. Tears slipped from her eyes and slid to her chin. Mother didn’t mean it the same way the boys did. But if Selah ever expected them to stop treating her like a baby, she needed to stop whining like one.
    She tipped her head down, then looked up and furrowed her brow. Something wasn’t right. “Mother, what’s wrong?”
    No answer, but Mother pulled her back into her arms.
    She felt safe, secure in her warm hug. Loved. No. Selah squirmed from the embrace. “I want to be treated like a woman. I want my right to hunt.”
    Her mother’s attitude reverted to the calm it had been when Selah walked in the door.
    â€œAhh, I see. The hunt.” Mother frowned and used her finger to tip up Selah’s chin. “Must you follow the men in such savage practices? Dane told me you were trying to catch rabbits. Can’t you just stick to that?”
    The question brought a scowl. Should she continue the lie or face the consequences? She’d forgotten about the story to her little brother. “Well, that’s another catch I lost.” Her bottom lip quivered at the lie. “What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I do anything right?”
    Mother opened her arms again. This time Selah leanedin, resting her head on her mother’s shoulder. She felt like a fraud lying to the one person who was truly on her side. But the disappointed look that would be in Mother’s eyes was more than she could bear at this moment. Her insides hurt.
    Mother stroked her hair. “If you want my true opinion, I think it’s abominable to be hunting people, and you shouldn’t start.”
    Selah sat up and looked at her. “Why do you say that? I’ve never heard you say anything negative about Father and the boys capturing Landers. How else would Father be able to afford some of the luxuries we have if it weren’t for the extra income? I mean, look at our house. It’s huge compared to some of my friends’ houses.”
    â€œYes, that’s also what your father says, but I disagree.” Mother glanced wistfully toward the window then turned back. “I guess I’ve kept some things to myself for too long. The thought of humans selling other humans into slavery is barbaric. There is a lot of ancient history about people on this continent doing the same thing hundreds of years ago. It was reprehensible then and is no less now.”
    Selah lowered her head. “But Father is selling me into marriage with the Kingston boy.”
    Mother emitted a strangled sob. “I have spent many hours trying to talk him out of this coupling. I’m sorry. Your father is the head of our clan, and his word is law.”
    â€œI’ve only met Jericho Kingston once, when I was about seven. We were at the farmers’ market. He had a long nose, buck teeth, and was gangly like a stick bug. What if he’s turned into a planter toad? Your grandchildren will spend their days chasing flies.”
    Mother tried to smile, but it came off as a pained expression. “My poor child, your drama precedes you. There’s still six months of freedom. After your Remembrance tomorrow, you two can start courting. You may find out he’s not a bug or a toad. With the abundant petrol that comes as a result of this clan marriage, maybe I can get your father to stop hunting Landers for income.”
    Selah had traveled this route before and all it ever did was add to her anger. Her father’s last word on the subject revolved