Read Rising Dark (The Darkling Trilogy, Book 2) for Free Online

a
choice , I thought wryly, remembering all
too well how the Fosters had appeared to jump at the idea when we
suggested it at dinner. They refused to accept any kind of payment
in return for the slave and told us we could tell her the news when
we returned from the chapel. I also remembered the derisive smile
Alden quickly hid behind a napkin when the matter was agreed
upon.
    The other thing making me uneasy was
Kato. So far he had shown a degree of arrogance and a mild
condescension whenever he was with us, almost as if we were the
trapped slaves instead of him. But when Jothan Foster ordered him
to take us to the chapel after dinner, his manner changed
dramatically. Throughout the walk through the woods, I noted he
became increasingly nervous, his green eyes darting among the trees
as if he expected something to pounce on him at any second. For
someone who appeared to be immune to the heat—apparently the
Negroes had an innate tolerance to it—there were now rivulets of
sweat running down his brow. His breathing was also quite shallow,
although the walk wasn’t particularly taxing. I barely listened to
Julia as a turgid knot of trepidation began to form in my
stomach.
    We finally came out of the trees into
a clearing. The chapel sat in the middle. It was a quaint white
building made all the more appealing by the atmospheric setting of
the trees as the sun set, turning the sky a deep, sultry azure with
only the barest hint of gold lining the dark grey clouds. A small
stream cut along the back of the clearing, disappearing into the
trees. But looking at the chapel made chills race down my
spine.
    I had spent most of my adult life in
devoted service to the Almighty and I sought, and was rewarded,
with His presence daily. From the moment I entered the clearing, I
knew we had walked into the midst of evil and I found myself in
darkness.
    “ Oh my, Avery,” Julia
said. “Isn’t it in the most beautiful setting? Oh, I cannot wait to
see what it is like inside.”
    I barely heard her. I was staring at
Kato. He hung back in the trees as if he would burst into flames if
he stepped out of them, his gaze jumping from the chapel to the
trees as if searching for some hidden danger. His eyes only met
mine for a fraction of a second, and the most peculiar thing
occurred. I saw pity in his eyes. Then, without uttering another
word, he turned on his heels and fled.
    As I watched him run away, I knew I
had gravely underestimated the danger we were in. I seized Julia by
the arm in a punishing grip, ignoring her soft gasp, my gaze locked
on Kato’s diminishing form.
    “ Julia, you have to go.
Quickly, follow him and run as fast as you can away from
here.”
    “ But...but—”
    “ Do it
now !”
    I pushed her away from me toward the
trees. She stumbled but regained her footing, shock etched on her
features, her lip quivering uncertainly. It was the first time I
had ever raised my voice, let alone manhandled her. But, dutiful to
the last, she began to move away, eventually turning and running
into the woods.
    At that moment the sound of laughter,
a woman’s cold, brittle laughter, rang through the clearing,
sending spasms of unparalleled dread through my mind and soul. I
spun toward the sound, turning around in a full circle. But I saw
no one. I was alone in the clearing. As I faced the chapel once
more, the most extraordinary sight greeted my eyes.
    There was someone standing on the
roof.
    It was a woman, a mulatto of
astonishing appearance. Her skin was so pale she would have passed
for white, were it not for her features: the broad nose, full lips,
and the shock of unruly, woolly ginger hair that had been placed in
two bunches. She was dressed in men’s clothing, emerald green
breeches, coat, and waistcoat, and wore lavish jewels.
    At first I was simply confused at how
she had gotten to the top of the roof, when only a moment ago there
had been no one in the clearing with me.
    My hands shook as I reached for the
Bible I kept in my