Read Online The Enemy Within (Daughters of the People Series Book 3) by Lucy Varna - Free Book Online Page B

for a fight until recognition hit.
    “Sister.” India
bowed slightly, traditionally a gesture of respect. On India, the move held
enough contempt for three people.
    She’d cut her
hair in the past few months, chopped it off short and gelled it until the inky
locks stood in disordered, finger-combed spikes along her head. The look suited
her, especially when combined with the skin-tight leathers India preferred.
Indigo touched her own long ponytail, smoothed down the oversized sweater she
wore. Why did she always go for comfort over chic and sexy?
    “India.” Indigo
dropped the groceries at the threshold of her door and stuck the key in the
lock, leaving the keychain dangling. “What are you doing here?”
    “Isn’t it
obvious?” India’s voice took on a playful lilt. “I’ve come a-calling.”
    Indigo sighed,
suddenly weary. “What do you want?”
    “What, no
pleasantries for your dear sister?” India tsked almost playfully. “That’s no
way to treat a guest.”
    “Just spit it
out.”
    India’s face
hardened. “If that’s the way you want to play it.”
    “It isn’t a
game, India. You know as well as I do that the Blade is out for your blood.”
    “I’m not afraid
of Rebecca Upton.”
    “Then perhaps
you should be afraid of her son, the Enforcer,” Indigo snapped. “She’s set the
hounds on you, sister dear.”
    India tapped a
hand against one leather clad thigh and regarded Indigo thoughtfully. “Is that
concern for me or him?”
    “Both. We may
not always see eye to eye, but you’re still my sister. If you harm another one
of the Blade’s children, you’re dead.”
    “I had no hand
in Dani’s injuries, nor do I intend to harm the Son of the Blade.” India pursed
her lips. “Unless he gets in my way.”
    “He’ll come
after you. You know how persistent he is.”
    “Not first hand,
no.” India’s mouth curled with mocking humor. “But you know well enough for the
both of us, don’t you?”
    “Please, India.
Whatever it is you’re doing, please just stop it.”
    “I can’t. Don’t
you see?” India stepped closer and held out a hand in what Indigo thought might
be a genuine plea for understanding. “The Prophecy must be stopped. That’s all
I’m trying to do.”
    “That’s what
this is about?” Indigo breathed out a laugh. “You’re trying to stop the
Prophecy? By the Goddess, India, how do you ever intend to do that?”
    “By snuffing out
the Light.” India’s smile turned cruel in the pale beauty of her face. “Stop
the Light, end the Prophecy, and we all live eternally.”
    “That’s insane.
No one knows what the Light is or even where to find it.”
    “Oh, there are
people who know.”
    “People like
Lilith Cæstus, who murdered her way across five continents.” Indigo swallowed
against the bitterness of contempt and fear coating her tongue. “Is that what
you’ve fallen to, India? Murder and madness?”
    “Lilith was
never afraid to seize what she wanted.”
    “Nor was she
afraid to kill anyone who stood in her way. Don’t do that, India. You’re better
than her.”
    India’s laugh
was hollow and harsh. “You’re right about one thing. I am better than
Lilith. At least I’m not stupid enough to fall to the blade of a weakling
mortal.”
    “Dani is no
weakling, mortal or not.” Indigo drew her patience around her like a mantel.
“It’s not too late to change your course. Bobby’s asked me to help bring you
in.”
    “Yes, I know.”
India’s voice sounded oddly gentle. “I came to ask you not to.”
    “Why?” Indigo
said, baffled. “I would never allow him to hurt you. You know that.”
    “You were always
so tender-hearted,” India murmured. “Even when I hurt you, you would never
raise a hand to me.”
    A ding of metal
dropping sounded from the stairwell. Indigo swiveled to check the stairs, then
immediately turned back, her gaze firm on India. “You’re my sister.”
    “Such a simple
thing, the trust that implies.”
    India