Read Collide and Seek: Act 4-5 (Bitter Ashes Book 2) for Free Online Page A

continue on regardless, and hope that we can defeat Estus when the time comes.”
    I let out a huff of breath. “I'm not doing it to defeat Estus. I'm doing it in an attempt to join Aislin's clan.”
    “And why would you want that?” Alaric countered quickly, like he'd been wanting to ask for a while. “You're out here, free. You could just move somewhere far away and live your life.”
    “And have to look over my shoulder forever?” I replied.
    Alaric shook his head. “That's not why you're doing it.”
    “What is it that you want me to admit, exactly?” I snapped.
    I wasn't sure why I was getting angry, I just knew that I didn't like being pressed on things I didn't want to talk about . . . even if I didn't know why I didn't want to talk about them.
    Alaric shrugged. “Nothing at all. I'd only like you to consider the fact that not having a clan does not automatically mean you will be alone.”
    That was it. He'd hit the nail on the head with the word alone . I looked ahead again to see how far James had gone. He was barely visible in the distant trees ahead of us, but I lowered my voice none-the-less. “What exactly are you proposing?” I asked.
    Alaric moved closer to me so that we were walking shoulder to shoulder, except even at 5'9”, my shoulder was quite a few inches lower than his.
    “I propose that we destroy the charm,” Alaric whispered. “Our people are not meant to be ruled.”
    “Just a few days ago you were all, Estus is Doyen, he asks and I obey ,” I argued, shocked at what Alaric was suggesting.
    “He pushed too far,” Alaric said simply.
    “Really?” I said sarcastically. “Was it the assigned kidnapping, the maiming of your sister's girlfriend, or the maiming of your own girlfriend that caused you to finally draw the line?”
    “My girlfriend ?” he asked with a lascivious smile, ignoring everything else I'd said.
    I rolled my eyes. “You know what I mean. What finally changed your mind?”
    “My mind was changed as soon as you and Sophie decided to leave the Salr, as I no longer had much reason to stay,” he began, “and that decision was solidified as soon as James harmed you. I will not again put myself in the position of obeying one leader blindly.”
    I couldn't argue with him. He was right to assume that I'd give the charm to Aislin just so I wouldn't have to be alone again. I didn't trust myself around humans, and any Vaettir I might associate with would belong to one of the warring clans. The only option I saw was to join a clan . . . unless others would forgo being part of a clan with me . . .
    “Please tell me what you're thinking,” Alaric said after I'd been silent for a while.
    I glanced up at James again. “I'm thinking that this could very well be the biggest decision of my life.”
    “You're young,” Alaric stated. “My sister and I have been part of many clans, and we have been on our own as well. The centuries change things. Eventually big decisions become inconsequential.”
    “Well that's depressing,” I replied somberly.
    “It is something you'll learn to deal with, in time,” Alaric said with a small smile.
    I laughed bitterly. “Barring the fact that I'll probably be killed off any day here, I doubt I'll live anywhere as long as you have.”
    “Why would you say that?” Alaric asked. “You are Vaettir, just like the rest of us.”
    “James explained about the more powerful Vaettir aging slowly,” I answered. “I imagine I'll be aging rather quickly.”
    “It is not as simple as that,” Alaric replied. “My sister and I are long-lived not because of our power level, but because we are Bastet. We are descended from the goddess after whom we are named.”
    “So you're like, part god?” I asked incredulously.
    Alaric shook his head. “I am Vaettir. We come from the earth, just as the gods and goddesses of old.”
    “Then where do I come from?” I asked, perplexed.
    “My dear,” Alaric replied, “you are a denizen of death. You do