Blood Curse (Branded Trilogy Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

mint leaves, took one sprig along with one stem of lavender and dropped them into the mug.
    “Mint and lavender do thy duty, remove thy stench upon the touch of mine lips,” she whispered so Sorina did not hear and lifted the glass, drinking the entire contents in one gulp.
    “I cannot believe you drank it so fast. It usually takes me an hour to get it down my throat.”
    “I like to get the bad stuff over with as quickly as possible.” She licked the mint from her lips to hide her smile.
     
    Pril met Stefan and Galius outside of the supply wagon. Galius, the larger of the two men, stood with his muscled arms folded over his chest. Black hair fell in unruly waves around his face, clinging to his full beard. She slowed her steps and inhaled. Galius was angry. Damn it.
    “How is he?” she asked and wrapped her arm around her waist. It still hurt to breathe, and Sorina said it would until the ribs became one again.
    “He is still unconscious,” Stefan said in low tones as his blue eyes roamed her body.
    It’d been two years since she’d called off their engagement. She never loved him and only allowed the courtship because her brothers had pushed her into it. Galius wanted to see her safe and content while Milosh wanted to be rid of the burden she and Tsura caused.
    Stefan had come to them like the others in the Peddler clan, a loner cast from his own people and from the terror of being a gypsy. But even after all this time he still pursued her.
    The air puffed from Galius’ nose onto her forehead. She stepped to the side away from his irritation.
    Stefan placed his hand on her arm and grabbed her palm, lacing his fingers with hers. “Sorina may have something to wake him,” he said.
    She pulled her hand from his and crossed her arms.
    “Sorina sits with Tsura,” she replied.
    “The clan needs wood. Go and fetch some,” Galius finally spoke and gave the other man a glare fit to melt ice.
    Stefan’s gaze swept over her.
    “Now,” Galius said.
    He rushed off to do Galius’ bidding.
    She shivered. “He needs a wife.”
    “He needs to be reminded that you are not his pet,” Galius growled, staring after Stefan.
    “Yes, well that is unlikely to happen until he meets someone else.”
    Galius’ gaze went over her head, and his strong jaw flexed.
    She placed her hand on his arm careful of her ribs. “What is wrong, Brother?”
    His eyes, the same almond-color as her own, stared down at her. “We need to discuss Tsura.”
    Pril straightened her shoulders and stood a few inches taller. There was going to be no discussion. “No.”
    Galius’ lips thinned. “No?”
    “She is my daughter. I will decide what is best for her.”
    “That may be true, but she has become a constant issue.” He looked around them before lowering his voice. “One that has Milosh chomping at the bit to rid the clan of.”
    “No. I will not allow him to touch her.”
    “Nor will I, but he is grieving, and while that will allow him some margin of grace, I cannot see past the anger and hate I witness in his eyes when he looks at Tsura.”
    She stepped back. “He hates her?”
    “I am afraid so, and his wife is not far behind in her feelings.”
    Pril had known Milosh blamed her for their troubles, blamed her for the death of his child, but to hate Tsura—to hate a little girl. Her heart sunk. The weight of what she was up against almost buckled her knees.
    “I will offer guidance, Sister.” Galius placed his arm around her shoulders.
    “He cannot be trusted,” she whispered.
    “Neither can our clan.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Milosh has taken it upon himself to speak with a few of the others.”
    “About Tsura? About the hunt?” Her heart raced, and her chest seized.
    He nodded.
    “The child is not safe. We are a small clan, one who cannot fight the Monroes, and we are tired of running. If Milosh can cast doubt into their minds we are doomed.”
    “There must be something we can do—some way to stop