After The Apocalypse (Book 2): Church of Chaos Read Free Page A

the nightmare that I did with the Scavengers so that I could start blindly trusting you. I've learned a few hard lessons in the last month. Tell me the truth. What do you want from me?”
    “Fine.” Seth closed the distance between us. His mouth was only inches from mine. I was going to bite the shit out of him if he tried anything nasty.
    “Tell me what you want,” I growled.
    “I want you,” Seth spoke each word with almost vicious force.
    I jerked backwards as if he had slapped me. “What?”
    “I want you.”
    “You want me?” I took a deep breath and then swallowed. “Why would you want me?”
    “Oh, come on Pilar. You can't be that surprised. I wouldn't have nearly killed myself saving your life if you weren't important.”
    “Why am I important?” I had my suspicions but the butterflies in my stomach needed confirmation.
    He laughed. “Answer that question for yourself.”
    “The prophecies?” I guessed, still stunned.
    Seth bared his teeth at me in an expression that didn't even try to pass for a smile. “Smart girl.”
    “If I'm so smart, why won't you trust me with the truth?” I asked. “Tell me the prophecies and let me make my own decisions.”
    “Saving your parents is your first priority, Pilar.” Seth sounded disgustingly calm. “It's not exactly going to be easy to get into Ra-Shet, rescue your parents from a flesh-broker and get back out with them.”
    “And?” I knew the task ahead of us wasn't going to be easy.
    “And you're already terrified, emotionally drained and struggling to cope with everything that has happened in your life during the last few weeks.”
    “And?” I didn't try to deny what he was saying. I'd been having nightmares ever since my parents had disappeared. “I've been through hell. It's not a secret. That doesn't mean you have the right to withhold information from me. Especially not if the information is about me.”
    “I can't afford for you to be distracted by a bunch of bullshit prophecies.” Seth crossed his arms over his own chest. “Focus on saving your parents. The prophecies cause more problems than they solve. We could spend years discussing and debating the value of the prophecies. It wouldn't do us any good.”
    “It wouldn't do us any good?” I repeated his words skeptically.
    Seth threw his hands up into the air. “They're prophecies, Pilar. Not facts.”
    “But you said I could control zombies in your prophecies. Now I've had a dream where I could control zombies. Surely that means something?” I demanded.
    “Trusting the prophecies could get you killed, Pilar.” Seth narrowed his eyes at me. “Ra-Shet is dangerous. You need to be thinking on your feet, not trusting in my delusional nightmares.”
    It wasn't the strangest thing he'd ever said to me, but it was pretty close. “What if the prophecies could help us save my parents?” I asked.
    “Why can't you just trust me?” Seth countered. “I've never lied to you. I've never hurt you. I'm going to risk my life to save your parents. People who I care nothing about. This will be the second time I've put my life on the line for you.”
    “It's not that I don't appreciate what you're doing for me, but how can I trust you if I know you're not telling me everything?”
    “Have I ever betrayed you?”
    “I don't know,” I whispered.
    “You don't know?”
    “I don't know. After the way Drake betrayed me, how can I trust anyone?”
    “I'm not Drake.” Seth was angry now. I didn't blame him for it, but I couldn't change my feelings just to spare his.
    “I know but-.” I shuddered and hugged myself.
    “No buts. I'm not Drake. I'm nothing like Drake. I don't know how long it's going to take me to gain your trust, but I will.” Seth reached for my chin but I pulled away from him. He hissed with annoyance. “You will trust me, Pilar.”
    I sat silently for a minute and then sighed. “I can't let myself trust anyone until I get my mom and dad back.”
    Seth shook his head and