Read Online The Mamluks (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 1) by Edward Lake - Free Book Online Page B

I was comfortable being around him. And, I was
regaining some confidence.
    “You know…I get lonely sometimes, Adomas. It would be nice
if we spent more time together.”
    He glanced at me and laughed. “I am amused by you, Emily.”
    I rolled my eyes and looked away. “I can see that.”
    “You humans are easily controlled by your emotions.”
    “Do Mamluks have emotions?” I asked sarcastically.
    “Certainly. However, we are not controlled by them.” Adomas
bent down. “You must let go of your feelings to truly be free. Only then will
you obtain the power we relish.” He slid his finger past the marble Dalia gave
me.
    I looked down and stared at it for a second. “How can I
ignore my feelings? That’s what makes me human.”
    “Abandon your humanity.”
    I chuckled. “How?”
    “By escaping your emotions.”
    I was getting irritated. “Adomas? Please —tell me.”
    “Only you can mend the conflict of your soul.”
    I paused for a moment and stared into the distance. Then,
gradually, I looked down at the marble and watched the moving parts. “Oh my
God,” I gasped. “Is that what this is? My soul ?”

 
     
    Chapter 30
     
    I looked up at the balcony and saw a woman sitting next to
Adomas. I stared at her for a long while, studying her mannerisms. For some
reason, she seemed so familiar. Finally, she looked down and our eyes locked,
and I realized who she was.
    “ No —it can’t be.” I dropped my shovel and staggered
ahead.
    From the corner of my eye, I saw a soldier lift his arm and
aim at me.
    “Stop, Human!”
    I froze and yelled, “ Emily !”
    Adomas stood up and walked to the railing. Emily got up and
ran to the railing. She had to duck through the enormous pillars to get a
better look.
    “Andrew?” she called out.
    “Yes—it’s me!”
    “Emily!” Robert shouted. “Thank God you’re all right.”
    “Soldier! Take them underground,” Adomas barked.
    The soldier snatched us and dragged us to a tunnel on the
other side of the building. He headed inside and went to a narrow entryway. The
soldier threw us into a dimly lit room. Then, he pressed a button on his
device, and a metal door slid from the edge of the entryway and closed.
    “Are you all right, Robert?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine.”
    I stood up and saw that the room had stone candles embedded
in the walls. Feeling lightheaded, I leaned against the wall and crumbled to
the floor.
    “She’s alive and well.” It was gratifying to see the woman I
loved once more. But I was also afraid that it might be the last time.

 
     
    Chapter 31
     
    Adomas brought me to my room. Audrey was sitting on the sofa
tending to Juozas.
    “Return Juozas to his cradle and leave us,” Adomas snapped.
    Audrey hurried to the cradle, gently put Juozas inside and
zipped out of the room.
    Adomas glared at me as he came close. “What is your
association to that slave?”
    I took a deep breath. “We were in a relationship before the
invasion.”
    Adomas looked me up and down. “Have you deceived me, Emily?”
    “No—never.” I carefully walked up to him. “Adomas, when I
accepted my responsibility to nurture Juozas, I left the past behind. This is
my life now.”
    Adomas stared at me for moment. “Come to the main entrance
at sundown. You will be given an opportunity to prove your assertion.”
    I closed my eyes as I listened to him walk out, dreading my
thoughts.
    At sundown, I went to the main entrance and found Adomas
waiting for me. He was holding two circular devices.
    “Are you ready?”
    I nodded anxiously.
    “Follow me.”
    We went outside, and he led me to a dark tunnel on the right
side of the building. Adomas lifted his arm and pressed a button, turning on
the candles in the wall. He marched to the end of the tunnel and stopped at a
metal door. Then, he pressed a button on his device, and the door slid open,
revealing a small, dimly lit room.
    Adomas put his hand out toward the doorway. I walked inside
and saw Andrew and Robert