Free Banewolf (Dark Siren Book 2) by Eden Ashley Page A

Turning her back to him, she faced the water.
    “I’m sorry.”
    The quick apology and genuinely contrite tone in which he uttered it surprised her. Looking at him again, she got an even bigger shock. River was kneeling on the ground, his head deeply bowed.
    “I have not had as long to assimilate into this culture as have the others. And I have not spoken to a common woman in nearly four centuries because none survived the massacre. Please. Forgive my offensive tongue.”
    The scene seemed so alien. Her face warmed as an awkward blush rose to it. “It’s alright. Please get up.” She turned away quickly, before River lifted his head.
    He was quiet for so long; Kali wondered if he’d left. Her hope sank like a damaged cruise ship when he spoke again.
    “Has he told you why he fears the water so?”
    Her shoulders tensed. If River was anywhere near as perceptive as Rhane, he probably noticed her discomfort. She tried to relax. “He drowned when he was a kid.”
    “That is true.” Suddenly, River stood next to her, less than two feet away. “Did he also explain it was our mother who drowned him?” When Kali was silent, River continued. “He was a child born with eyes the color of a Glowing Stone. In our culture, it is a most unfavorable omen. Only on two occasions had this happened. In both instances, the infant was put to death to spare our kin from the suffering the child would bring to the people during its life time. Mother was simply fulfilling her duty when she tried to kill Rhane by holding her defenseless newborn at the bottom of a washbasin. Father stopped the act. He begged her to go against tradition and spare the child’s life. She did. Then she spent next twelve cycles regretting that decision and hating the first child of her loins.”
    Kali shivered. “He said it happened twice. Did she try again?”
    River nodded. “Father was called away to war. Mother sent Rhane to Snake Falls in the season of the river kings to fetch water. At such a time, our watering holes were infested with large, carnivorous serpents whose voracious appetites were made even more aggressive by spawning. Mother shoved Rhane into the water, hoping the serpents would finish what she had started. But my brother was spared yet again. Poisoned from their venom, bleeding from their bites, he spent several days trapped in an underwater cave. A boy from the village found and rescued him. As soon as he was well enough, my brother ran off to join the army. He was far too young, but Father gave the mandate to allow it.”
    River had told the story with such a lack of emotion. It was no mystery which parent he’d inherited his personality from.
    “How could she have hated her child so much?”
    “Mother didn’t hate him at first. She simply wanted to save the rest of us.” After a pause that was filled with meaning, River continued. “The omen held true. Rhane lived to curse his people.”
    “But he didn’t,” Kali snarled. She felt her feet grow warm though they were submerged beneath cold water. Her hands balled into fists. “He didn’t hurt anymore. And neither did I.”
    “No one else believes that.”
    “Your people sound horrible. Your mother was a cruel bitch. I hope very much that she is dead.”
    “Then I fear I must disappoint you. Roma is much very alive.” River knelt down and swept his hand through the water. “Anger is proper.” Watching the ripples expand across the surface, his voice softened. “But be careful you do not pity him, Kalista. Rhane had Father’s love and my adoration.”
    “Why are you telling me this?”
    “So you may hope to understand him…and the rest of us.” He stood up. “Anytime you wish to know more, come here. I will answer your call.”
    Then River left as quietly and as quickly as he had come.

Chapter 16
     
    “I want to visit my family today.”
    “That’s fine.”
    “I wasn’t asking for your permission.”
    “You don’t need to. I’m not your