Read Online Through the Fire (The Native American Warrior Series) by Beth Trissel - Free Book Online Page B

were forted up.
    “ Name of fort,” Black Knife repeated.
    The waiting warriors leaned in closer, intent on her reply.
    She steeled herself. “I can’t tell you.”
    His mouth constricted into a narrow line. “No?”
    God have mercy . “No.”
    A low growl rumbled through their observers.
    “Oh, Rebecca,” Shoka groaned.
    Black Knife pinned her with a displeased glare. He spoke tersely to Shoka in Shawnee. The anger in his words scorched her even though she couldn ’t understand a syllable. Listening in dread, she searched the blur of faces around her. Wabete glowered with disapproval. Pity shone from Meshewa’s eyes. Was she about to die? The crush of bodies smothered her.
    “ Shoka!” With a strangled cry, she turned to him.
    Black Knife dug his fingers into her shoulders and whirled her back around. “No, Rebecca Elliot. You will watch.”
    At his nod, four warriors fell upon Lieutenant McClure and the second man and dragged them, moaning, to their feet. She ’d expected the chief to retaliate against her. Why was he further tormenting the soldiers? Only partially conscious, they couldn’t tell him anything even if they were willing.
    “ No! They’ve been punished enough!” She strained toward the men, but Shoka held her from behind and forced her to stand in helpless agony while they were bound to either side of a tree. Sobbing, she struggled to reach to him, to burrow into his strength, but his unyielding arms prevented her. “Shoka! What’s happening?”
    He didn ’t answer. The four braves were spreading dry kindling in a circle with practiced speed around the trunk a short distance from the men. “No! You can’t do this!”
    One brave carried a flaming stick from the fire and lit the brush. “ Shoka—stop them!”
    He remained mute with seemingly no intention of doing anything beyond restraining her. Wild to break free, she exerted every sore muscle against him. “Don’t make me watch! I can’t bear it! Let me go, you bastard!”
    Her struggles made not the slightest difference. Weeping, she hung in his grasp. How could she have thought she had tender feelings for this man? He was as hardhearted as Black Knife.
    Through her hot tears and frustration at her impotence, she felt the heat of the chief’s imperturbable gaze. “This is your doing, you devil. May you rot in hell.”
    He stared at her without a twitch. “It is not I who will make them burn, Rebecca Elliot. You can end the torture now.”
    She shut her eyes to the triumph in his. Forgive me, Uncle Henry, dearest Kate . “Put out the fire. I will answer your questions.”

 
    Chapter Six
    Near to swooning by the end of her grueling trial, Rebecca slumped in Shoka ’s arms when he lifted her. He didn’t say a word to the unrelenting chief or any of the onlookers, but bore her back across the darkened camp. His pity for her mixed with exasperation and fury with Black Knife, the long-toothed old boar.
    She scarcely moved and loosed only the barest whimper as Shoka laid her on a blanket at the far side of the campfire nearest the big oak that marked their site. The flames flickered over her pale face, her eyes closed under a fringe of lashes…so fair, so vulnerable, and so maddening.
    Rebecca stirred restlessly, twitching her head from side to side. “No,” she moaned as though in a troubled sleep.
    Shoka knelt beside her and laid a comforting hand on her upper arm. He glanced around at Meshewa ’s quiet presence. Concern shadowed his cousin’s face, and he held out a pewter flask.
    Shoka took it with an appreciative nod, knowing how much Meshewa prized his take from the Long Knives. With a long look at her, Meshewa stole away. No one else came near. Even Shoka ’s irate brother had wisely allowed him time to brood.
    Rebecca tossed again. “Don’t,” she pleaded in a low cry.
    Shoka slid his arm under her shoulders and held the flask to her lips. “Drink,” he said, tilting a little brandy into her mouth. Perhaps it