While the World Is Still Asleep (The Century Trilogy Book 1) Read Free

others.
    “Don’t think you’re getting off so lightly! You’ll pay for that,” Adele shouted halfheartedly behind her.
    Josephine had just lain down on a new bed when she noticed that Adele and her entourage had turned their attention to the other newcomer.
    “No, please don’t take it. That hair clip belonged to my sister, who died. It’s all I’ve still got of her,” cried the girl. She was about fourteen and her mussed red hair made her look like some sort of wild creature. She let out a loud howl.
    Jo closed her eyes.
    “What else have you got?” one of the other girls asked.
    “Nothing, I’m telling you.” The redhead’s voice sounded panicked.
    “No such thing as nothing. Your undies. And your socks. Hand ’em over!”
    Jo stood up, her exhaustion suddenly extinguished, and marched over to Adele and her gang.
    There may have been plenty of things wrong with her, but being a coward wasn’t one of them. She had resisted her tyrannical father’s temper for years as he had tried to break her will. She had formed a hard shell as a result and wasn’t about to let a beast like Adele get the upper hand on her first day. Adele could claim that her word was law until she was blue in the face, but Josephine would not let her attack the weak.
    Josephine’s eyes flashed with anger as she grabbed Adele by the arm and took the hair clip away from her. Without turning her eyes from her rival, she handed the bent piece of tin back to the red-haired girl.
    “Leave her in peace, or you’ll have to deal with me.” Her voice was low and controlled, but all the firmer for that.
    Adele’s punch came without warning. Jo had no time to defend herself. The pain was so intense that she lost her breath for a moment. Then blows started raining down on her from all sides. Wailing, Josephine doubled over like a pocketknife and fell to the stone floor. A warm satisfaction spread among the other young women, who stepped back, murmuring and giggling.
    The red-haired girl was beside her instantly. Her face was filled with fright and horror as she stroked Josephine’s hair out of her face. “You’re crazy. No one stands up to someone like that . . .” She whispered in Josephine’s ear, fearfully keeping one eye on Adele.
    “If you two aren’t clear on who calls the shots around here, we can repeat this lesson anytime you like,” Adele hissed, posturing victoriously.
    Josephine groaned. One of the last punches had caught her in the middle of her ribcage and still hurt. With the last of her strength, she pushed past the red-haired girl. She caught Adele’s left ankle just before Adele could pull it clear and sent her sprawling on the floor.
    Jo pulled herself up and dropped down with all her weight onto Adele’s chest. She pinned Adele’s arms to the floor. Breathing hard, she glared down at Adele and said, “Before today, I would never have attacked someone weaker than me, not in my wildest dreams. But you’ve just shown me how it’s done!” She pressed her right knee hard into Adele’s chest until she cried out in pain. Jo smiled. “Don’t like the taste of your own medicine? If you don’t want any more of it, then leave the girl alone. And me, too!” Then she released Adele’s arms and, with a final sniff of contempt, stood and turned away.

Chapter Two
    The door of the barn creaks as the boy pulls it closed behind him. He is enveloped by darkness and the familiar odors of leather, hoof trimmings, and ashes. He listens, alert for the slightest sound, but no one and nothing is in sight on this sunny Sunday afternoon. Not even a mouse peeps out from under the bales of hay stacked in the rear of the barn. His parents are away visiting relatives, and he has driven off his annoying sister, Josephine. He is in the smithy where his father works every weekday from eight in the morning to eight in the evening, and he is thrilled to have it to himself. He can hardly believe that he’s actually managed to steal the