Free The Outcast by Calle J. Brookes Page A

your birth that you had a part of her buried in you.”
    Lana did not understand. She tried to tell the Goddess that, but the words—unlike those she’d used with her own people just a few moments ago—would not come. But the Goddess must have understood.
    She smiled, and the expression was so much like Lana’s mother’s had been that fresh tears ran down her cheeks.
    “You are still the daughter of the mother who loved you so much, but a part of my sister’s soul has been reborn in you. I did not know it so at the time of your birth, but now that I do, you are cherished always by me and mine. Never again will you be outcast.”
    What did it mean for her? Her people?
    “We will speak of it later, little sister. Now your future lies with that wickedly handsome mate of yours, who reminds me a great deal of my own Rajni. And now your people are waiting for you to lead them.”
    The Goddess let go of Lana’s hand and moved to stand beside her. She was considerably taller than Lana, and a glow radiated around her. It encompassed Lana and the warmth s oaked into her.
    It gave her courage.
    Kennera leaned over and kissed Lana’s cheek. “Lead them well. They depend upon you now. And go with my love, for the future awaits you. And you’re role in it for our entire Kind is set. We go forward on this great day.”
    Lana didn’t know why, but she reached out and embraced the Goddess.
    The Goddess would not lie to her, would she? Maybe there was some truth to it.
    But she would face that tomorrow.
    There were thousands of Dardaptoans looking at her—literally looking at her—in that moment.
    And each one needed her to lead.
    She could not break down now.
    Lana turned to Marcos. Held out her hand. Again.
    He took hers. Again.
    She had her Rajni on her left side. And she had the Goddess of her people on her right.
    The Goddess lifted her hand—the one she had clasped in Lana’s. Marcos did the same with Lana’s left.
    The Goddess’s voice rang out…
    “Behold! My dear sister Havalana Amyenka—champion and new patron of the lost, the abused, the wronged! Go forth into this day, and know that the family of your Goddess guides and protects you this day, and for always! Go! Build your lives in this new world one day at a time, and know that I am always watching! Always protecting!”
    The crowd was chanting again, this time Lana’s name mingled with that of the Goddess.
    Lana closed her eyes and fell to her knees as a great rush of power filled her.
    Power, awe, exhilaration.
    Responsibility, grief, and even fear.
    It all mingled within her.
    The responsibility was the weightiest gift the Goddess had just laid upon her.
    Responsibility Lana knew she was meant to carry. Responsibility she knew she could shoulder.
    Lana did not know what this demonic world would bring for their people.
    Great changes had happened already.
    But for the first time in years, she felt ready to face the future.
    And face it, she would… with her Rajni at her side.
    For always.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Watch for more Dardanos, Co: The Adrastos & Dardanos, Co. Novels
    In 2014 and 2015 from
    Calle J. Brookes and Lost River Lit.
     
Coming Soon
     
    A Warrior Blind
     
     
     

Chapter One

     
     
    WOULD she always have the nightmares? She dreamed of the warrior every night. Remembered the look on his face, the total apathy, when he’d shoved her at Ramorakin, the keeper of his slaves.
    That expression on her   Rajni  was one of the last clear images she had, and would ever have. How was she to face that? Her own mate, the one destined for her by her goddess, had thought so little of her that he’d thrown her to a monster. And then he had walked away.
    It was by the grace of the goddess that Bronwen Sebastos still lived. She pulled the thick blankets around her body in a useless attempt to ward off the night’s chill. The demon realm was colder than her home in Colorado, but it wasn’t the night temperature