Read Online Rebellion by Sabine Priestley - Free Book Online Page B

Merek’s hometown of Turin many years before. The priest had never treated Merek as anything other than an equal, even though he knew him to be Curzan. When Arlo’s ten-year tenure was up, the church transferred him to Watersedge. In an unthinkable move, he’d smuggled Merek out with him and invented a background story. Merek set up shop as a Mitan woodworker and soon found his psi-mate, Trin.
    Over the years, they had brought in Curzan refugees from all over Mitah. Backing each other’s stories and histories, the community grew. They enjoyed the rights and perks of being Mitan, but lived in fear of discovery.
    “Enough of this sad talk.” Merek patted Bella on the back. “What of your work? How are you getting on with the texts?”
    Bella kicked her heels against the stage side. “Every time we think we have something with one book, we aren’t able to correlate it with the others.”
    “We have found similarities across the books,” Arlo said, “but it’s slow, tedious work. Thank the Goddess for Bella’s young eyes.”
    Bella made a hissing sound. “You’re not that old.”
    “Perhaps not,” Arlo said, “but you’re still much faster than me.”
    “That’s not saying much.” The teen smirked.
    “Be polite,” Merek said.
    “I’m always polite.”
    Both men made sounds of disagreement, and the three of them shared a laugh.
    “We need those texts deciphered,” Merek said. “They’re not only proof that Curzans had psi from the beginning, but they are part of our past. An entire history we know nothing about.”
    “We’ll figure them out.” Bella sobered. “Ty seemed pretty tense today.”
    Merek sighed deeply. “I shouldn’t have let him stay to watch Jafferies die. I don’t know what came over me. I couldn’t pull myself away. He didn’t need to see that, not after seeing his parents…”
    “Don’t blame yourself,” Arlo said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
    “It was my fault. He hasn’t been the same since.” He looked Arlo in the eyes. “I fear he’s planning something foolish.”
    “What?” Both Arlo and Bella asked.
    “The man who killed Jafferies, Leon Jara, also killed his parents.”
    Bella put a hand to her chest. “Mother Goddess. What do you think he’s going to do?”
    He could tell by her voice she knew exactly what Ty would do. He simply raised an eyebrow at her.
    She looked away from him. “Do you really think he could do something like that?”
    Merek shrugged. “He watched that man kill his folks. That demon has been riding his back for more than half his life.”
    “Couple that with his temper?” Arlo stood. “Chances are, we’re going to have to save that boy.”
     
     

Chapter 6
     
    Ria hoisted her bag over her shoulder and followed the others out of the spaceport. Darl had sent open-air cruisers to pick them up. Rucon and Mara took one, along with the luggage, leaving Ria and the other EPs to take the second. It was a large vehicle with plenty of seats. Dani leaned into Ian’s side on the front bench, leaving her and Armond with benches to themselves. Ria tossed her handbag into the back and crawled in after it.
    They had made good time until they reached the outskirts of Watersedge where the cruiser slowed due to increasing traffic. The opening ceremonies of the ball were this evening, and people were streaming into town.
    Ria was getting used to the phenomena of traffic on Earth but hadn’t expected it here.
    As if in response to her thought, the vehicle’s AI spoke up. “Please be advised, we have obtained special dispensation to avoid the congestion. We will be diverting over the bay and the waters of the Marul Ocean if this is acceptable.”
    Ian responded in the affirmative and the cruiser lifted vertically, out of the line of traffic and veered off to the right. A few other vehicles performed similar maneuvers, but most remained in the increasing congestion.
    This is more like it. Ria smiled as they soared over the ocean and then