Children of the Gods - A Chosen Novel Read Free

This dress was simple also, with no ornate
embroidery or patterns but with a startlingly different effect.
    Simple holes left the balls of my shoulders
bare with a thin strip of material resting at the curve where my
shoulders met my neck. The neckline cut across my chest in a wide
curve, drawing attention to my collar bone, but it was the back
that was most dramatic. A rectangle cut out left me exposed from
the tip of my shoulder blades to my tailbone.
    I would have never worn anything this
feminine out of fear of drawing attention, but now I regretted that
Niko never saw me like this. It would have made a beautiful pairing
gown. It was a shame, the most dressed up I had ever gotten was for
my funeral.
    I took a final breath as a free woman and
turned back to Griff. I touched his arm and he turned.
    “Oh,” Griff puffed out.
    It was such a small word but it held more
emotion than I could handle: surprise, pleasure, then sadness. His
lips remained frozen in the shape of the word.
    “I think I am going to be sick.” There was
nothing to hold onto for support as the room swayed. Griff set a
large hand on my shoulder to steady me.
    “Just look at me, watch my eyes. It will be
okay,” he said, trying to regain his composure.
    I looked up at him in surprise. “It will
definitely not be okay. I am not even sure I will exist once they
put that thing in me.” I motioned with my chin toward the door to
the room where my Luna was waiting.
    “Do not fight, Reka. It will be better for
everyone.”
    “Not better for me,” I said, releasing the
fists I had made of my hands and smoothing out my dress so he could
not see the traitorous moisture stinging my eyes.
    “I know, and I am sorry.” He turned and
walked toward the door. I followed, scared to go, but more afraid
to be left alone.
    ~o~
    The Luna was sitting on one of the beds when
we returned.
    There were rumors that each Haloran’s
consciousness was contained inside a worm. That was how they were
able to transfer from one host body to the next. My stomach
wriggled as I tried to imagine her allowing someone to put a worm
inside her.
    “I was beginning to believe a search party
would be necessary,” she said, without glancing up.
    “That would never be required while I am
alive, my lady,” Griff responded with a bow.
    “I am glad I will not have to execute my
favorite guard.”
    Her tone sounded light, but the look on her
face suggested it had been a danger. I worried I had cast a shadow
on him.
    “You are as kind as you are beautiful, my
lady.”
    She rolled her eyes and made a sound of
disgust.
    In spite of my fear, I felt my skin prickle
with anger. The idea of having a worm inside me was less repulsive
than the thought of her taking over my body, making it her own. How
many people would she mistreat while wearing my face? I could
accept the worm if it did not bring her with it.
    Griff bowed again and took a step forward
placing a hand on my bare back to lead me to my table.
    The cushions were removed now, leaving a cold
metal table with a rectangular hole in the top half. I could see
men below dressed all in white. One looked up and caught my eye. A
shiver ran up my spine. In his hands were two hooks sharpened to
deadly points.
    I closed my eyes and tried to breathe slowly,
but it only allowed my mind to dream up scenarios for the use of
such instruments. My knees gave way and again I was caught by
Griff. He lifted me and gently placed me on the metal table with my
back over the hole.
    The cutout in the dress was not merely for
decorative purposes. It was designed for beauty and function
through centuries of our horror.
    The Sari’s gait was nearly a dance as he made
his way toward me.
    “Sir, allow me to secure her,” Griff
said.
    “I can handle her.” He smiled a wicked
smile.
    Good. I wanted him to bleed and I would get
the chance to make it happen.
    “Sir, at least her arms?”
    The Sari breathed a heavy sigh. “Fine, her
hands.”
    Griff knelt over me