New Roots (Fate's Intent Book 8) Read Free

they took him farther south so that’s the way we should be going.”
    “Yes, but we’ve never examined much of that land because of the bandits. We’ve just passed through a few times. We’ll need detailed maps like we’ve used on our trip to Lecca. We have to find where their hideout is in order to get him out.”
    “And what if he’s already dead?”
    Zayden paused and looked south like he didn’t want it to be true. “He’s not. I know he’s not. We’re going after him. Rift, let’s go.”
    He put Troy’s sword back in its sheath and we prepared for the long journey ahead of us. We would get him back—whatever it took.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
    Izin
     
    It was finally dinnertime and the girls had joined us in the dining hall but there was a long period of silence. Adele would continuously look up across the table at Zayden’s empty chair and it wasn’t long before someone else noticed her shifting eyes and said something.
    “Continuing to look there won’t make him just appear.” Kathryn smiled.
    “I know. I just miss him.”
    “It won’t seem so long.” I assured her.
    At the very moment I ended my breath with the last word, Zayden appeared standing behind his chair, taking deep breaths.
    “Wow. That was quick.” Ruby muttered.
    “Zayden!” Adele wanted to stand up but Kathryn just put up her hand and shook her head for her not to and turned her attention to Zayden.
    “What are you doing back?” I asked, displeased of whatever this was.
    Zayden calmed his breaths enough to address me. “Father, we need to talk.”
    “Okay.”
    “In private.”
    My eyes looked around at the worried faces at the table and reset back on Zayden. “Conference room.”
    Zayden nodded as I started to get up and he finally looked across the table at Adele. “Hey, Love.” He sped around it and appeared behind her, kissing her head.
    “What’s going on?”
    “We’ll talk later.” He walked normally out with me the rest of the way and we went into the conference room where Darius and his dog was waiting for us.
    “What is this about?” I asked. “Where’s Troy?”
    Zayden and Darius looked at each other and Darius held out Troy’s sword so I could see it. “That’s why we’re here.”
    “What happened?”
    “We don’t really know.” Zayden said. “We settled for the night, Troy took first watch, Darius got up hours later to take second but he was gone.”
    “Where?”
    “West. Bandit country.”
    I sighed and started pacing. “Damn it. Those ungoverned insects. What do you think the chances are that he’s still alive?”
    “He is.” Zayden said. “He has to be. He’s worth more alive.”
    “To who?”
    They both seemed unsure.
    “Perhaps word hasn’t reached the rogue bandits about peace.” Darius said. “Their plan is probably to turn them over to an enemy country.”
    “Well, if it’s Kalu, we have nothing to worry about.”
    “But we can’t take that risk.” Zayden replied. “We don’t really know what their plan is. That’s just a guess.”
    “Yes, I suppose that’s true.”
    “Father, we have to go after him.”
    Just by the way he was standing and breathing, I didn’t quite think so yet. “You are in no shape to go tonight. Rest. Take the maps and anything else you need in the morning.”
    “Father, there’s no time to—”
    “You can barely stand here on your feet! Rest tonight and leave first thing in the morning.”
    “I think he’s right, Zayden.” Darius said. “You ran hard to get here.”
    Zayden sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. “All right. Fine but what are we supposed to tell the others.”
    “The truth?” I suggested.
    “I don’t think Jaylyn will be able to take the truth.”
    “No. What she won’t be able to take is the chance that Troy doesn’t make it back and you having to explain that you knew what was going on the whole time and didn’t tell her.”
    “He’s kind of got you there.” Darius replied.