Read Broken Forest: Book One of the Daath Chronicles for Free Online Page A

anything. Why would I?”
    The two men eyed each other and the stout man erupted.
    “I don’t believe you! My daughter just don’t go off frolicking in the woods, and she don’t go off before her chores are done. What did you do with her?”
    “I said I didn’t do noth…” A mouth full of knuckles cut off the reply. A small brawl broke out.
    Putting my two fingers together, I gave a sharp whistle, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
    “I don’t mean to interrupt,” I said. “But we may be in the same predicament.”
    The father of the missing girl stomped over to me, large nostrils flaring.
    Okay, bad idea.
    “I don’t believe I’ve seen you here before. State your name, boy.”
    Stepping back, I tried to put some distance between us while searching for Derrick. I spotted his cropped dark hair near the front entrance. He nodded at me, hand on his claymore, ready to fight, but by the time he reached me I’d explained all I knew about Jeslyn’s kidnapping to the man towering over me.
    The father rubbed his shaggy red beard, grumbled, and stuck out his hand. “The name’s Rudy.”
    “Well—met, Rudy. I’m Avikar.” I shook his hand, wincing at the strength of his grip.
    “I got a feeling my Charlotte is with your sister. A group of Roamers passed through here a few hours ago. Me and my boys will be coming with you.”
    Rudy introduced us to six men. Henry, a wily man with an extremely long mustache and black suspenders. Rudy’s younger brother, Steven, a chubby and cheerful fellow. A young man named Lucas, who was in love with Rudy’s daughter and the recipient of Rudy’s right hook. Twins, named Nathaniel and Davin, who seemed very quiet and secretive, and Reaper.
    Reaper’s black oily hair fell to his face and his albino skin appeared translucent. Rudy explained Reaper got his nickname from working the graveyard shift. Reaper smiled at us, revealing more than one missing tooth.
    Rudy sent the twins out to gather supplies while the rest of us waited in the tavern.
    Derrick sat next to Lucas, probably talking about their lost loves, not a conversation I wanted to be a part of. The bar went back to its loud, rowdy state and I tried to distract myself with the strange black bug crawling down the side of the bar.
    The tiny bug, which turned out to be a plain old cockroach, landed on the floor and skidded towards the entrance. A girl in a tight-waisted crimson dress stood there, eyeing the tavern. Men glanced her way, but only briefly. I’d overheard some of the stable hands talk about ladies at taverns who traded favors for coin. I’d never seen one in person. Her black hair hung past her shoulders offsetting her ivory skin. She glided over to the bar, sat and ordered a drink.
    One patron went over and whispered in her ear. I could tell he was irritating her. I walked over, deciding that, whoever she was, she didn’t need to be pestered by a drunk.
    “There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you! Excuse me sir.” I pushed the guy aside. “I hope you weren’t waiting very long.”
    Her thin lips curved into a smile. “Not very long.”
    The drunk stumbled off to the side, and I sat on the stool next to her, instantly hypnotized by her brilliant blue eyes.
    “Thank you,” she said. “He was a bit too rude for my liking.”
    “You’re welcome. The name’s Avikar.” I dipped my head in a slight bow.
    She held out a delicate hand and I reached for it. “Lucy. A pleasure to meet you.”
    I kissed the top of her soft hand, which smelled like roses. “The pleasure is mine.”
    Lucy shifted on the stool. One of her slender legs slipped through the slit of her dress. “How about you order us a drink?” she said.
    Holy heifer, those are nice legs.
I tried not to stare at her smooth skin, or voluptuous body, but it was right there. I left another coin on the bar, never taking my eyes off hers. The server came over. “A drink for the lady and water for me.” After the server