Veiled Read Online Free PDF Page B

I
remembered the screams and the choking feeling. “Oh no!” I thought to myself. “I don’t want to die!”
    Seeing that I was not
answering, the female added, “Interesting that she is here,
in this canyon,
while there is quite a large rally of loyalists, just over there,
on the moon.” Her voice was smooth again and low.
    “ Yes…very interesting. I
wonder what Tess is looking for here that she can’t find among her
friends,” the Second One answered with a sneer.
    They were right; what was I
doing here, and why had I come? Stupid, stupid me.
    “ Maybe she wants to know
what we can do for her,” the female said brightly.
    “ No!” My strangled croak
came out a lot louder than I had intended. They however were not
startled at all, but they acted as if they had been. Then they both
smiled broadly and laughed.
    “ Well…then, she must be a
spy,” the female said with an appraising smile.
    “ I was just taking a
stroll. I didn’t realize this canyon was some sort of special
gathering place for the rebellion,” I said, summoning up any
strength I had left.
    The Second One narrowed his
eyes, but kept smiling the smile of someone who enjoyed watching
others suffer.
    At that moment I realized
that he had to be stopped. If I survived this I would do anything
in my power—whatever that was—to stop him from becoming our next
ruler. He wasn’t concerned for our eternal evolution and
well-being—he enjoyed the panic he saw in the eyes of those he
tortured. He liked being powerful, feared, and obeyed.
    “ We are everywhere, dear
Tess, even on that moon where your friends are.” His voice was
smooth—his version of friendly. “You are all seriously misguided in
thinking you will win. We will have the support we need to rule
Earth, and you can help me,” he said, looking
unconcerned.
    “ You can’t win and I will
never join you! What can you possibly hope to achieve? You will be
cast-out and never evolve beyond what you are now. The Eternals
will not let you exist anywhere but Perdition,” I spat. The Second
One cringed at the mention of the Eternals. “All your hopes now
rely on others, and they may fail you too,” I said spitefully as I
ventured a glance at the female. I had no idea where I found the
strength to speak, but I was proud of myself for doing
so.
    The female, however,
widened her eyes, and let out a snarl. Apparently she didn’t find
my tone of voice and my insinuations to her liking. The Second One
was unmoved by my outburst. He just held her arm back and kept
smiling his venomous smile. Then he released her and came to my
side.
    He got really close to my
ear and whispered tersely. “Careful, Tess, you don’t want to make
me particularly mad. Nor do you want me to take too much notice of
you. It will be better for you that way. Your resolve might be
strong, but trust me—I’m stronger!” His last words sounded more
like a low growl.
    This sent a wave of terror
through my frame and I was paralyzed, I could not make a single
part of my form move. I couldn’t even think straight, my mind
simply shut down.
    “ I know you, Tess…I know
what you want, and I’m the only one who can make sure you get it. I
can make sure you have all your favorite friends around you in
mortality. I might even be able to manage to let you keep some of
your current memories.” His voice was soft, but now it felt warm
and inviting. Images of me and my clan—just as we are now—but alive
and together filled my mind.
    “ Speaking of the devil!”
Alex appeared out of nowhere, unnoticed by either them or I. He
came to my side with a casual smile.
    They were surprised, but
quickly recovered.
    “ Alexander! My dear old
friend.” The Second One said as he moved away from me and back to
the female’s side.
    “ When have we been
friends?”
    “ It’s never too late to
make amends.”
    “ In your case, I will make
an exception,” Alex said generously.
    “ You need to keep a closer
eye on her Alex. She