Uprising Read Online Free PDF Page B

There was no hope. As they were pulled out of their hiding place and into Kara’s line of sight, I broke down. Anna’s worried eyes looked deep into Kara’s, past her and into me, like that silent plea for help was meant for nobody else. Chloe’s face, flushed and swollen from crying, never looked away from her mother. Dimitri escorted them quickly by, and although I wanted to call out, grab them, hold them, save them, something , Kara’s body paid no attention to my mental commands. She stood helplessly by and watched as they were taken.
    “Thank you,” Christoph said with absolution as he turned to leave, “for doing what is right for our people.”
    “Yes, sir,” she said through silent tears, but I felt the hatred she had for him.
    His last words were a futile plea for understanding. “I only need their child,” he confided. “Once she bears it for me, Elyse will be free to go. Without the next generation oracle, we have no chance.”

3.
    HIS RESOUNDING LAST STATEMENT blindsided me, and I pulled out of the memory with force as he closed the door behind him. I’d known I was flagged untouchable for being the new mother. I just never realized it was because he wanted the child. I should have been expecting it. Of course he didn’t want me dead. He needed me. My insides clenched up with worry for a child William and I had yet to conceive.
    I almost forgot the three of them were sitting wide-eyed, waiting for my reaction.
    “So?” Mac asked, but I had no words for him. My mind wouldn’t move away from what I had just learned.
    “Elyse?” William urged, setting a gentle hand on my arm. The warmth in his touch brought me back momentarily, but I couldn’t look him in the eye. This time the heat from our skin didn’t give me comfort. Not when it promised William and I would bear a child Christoph wanted. Instead I addressed Mac directly.
    “Christoph and Dimitri were there. They were going to age her until she gave them up.” Though I would have given my life for Anna and Chloe, I couldn’t expect someone else to do the same. “She had no choice.”
    “I want to help you get them back,” Kara said. “Whatever you have planned, I want in.”
    “Are you okay with that, Elyse?” William asked, still wary of Kara’s presence.
    “Yeah,” I answered, unable to ignore the feelings I had experienced through her memory. As much as I’d denied it, the oracle was right. Kara had done her best. It wasn’t her fault.
    “All right!” Mac declared, slapping his heavy hands together. “I’m going to start breakfast now that I know you aren’t going to go for her jugular.”
    How long have you known that, Kara? I asked. That he wanted our baby?
    Not long , she returned the thought. I didn’t know until he told me .
    “You okay, Ellie?” William asked, interrupting my busy mind.
    “Yeah,” I lied, keeping my eyes on Kara.
    He must be keeping the idea to himself. I haven’t heard anyone thinking about it.
    Why would he tell you?
    I don’t know. I guess he assumed I already knew.
    “What’s going on?” William asked, picking up on the unspoken communication between us. Our eyes finally met, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. He had reacted so harshly about the prophecy, I didn’t want to worry him more than he already was.
    It doesn’t really matter anyway , I thought to her. There is no oracle baby.
    Not yet, Kara added.
    “Sure,” William said with high eyebrows, “don’t mind me. Just continue on with your silent conversation like I’m not here.”
    “I’m sorry—” I started, but Mac jumped in. “Girls, I need a wood run. Pile’s getting low.”
    I thought William would protest, eager to get more information from us, but Mac gave him a look that kept him quiet. I felt bad about leaving him out, but I needed more details, and I needed to come to terms with the facts. I would pull myself together, then confide in him what I knew.
    “No problem, Mac,” I said, jumping to my