Read The Decaying World Saga (Book 1): Tribes of Decay for Free Online Page A

as he stood up to breathe. Her love for him was something Rowan adored about her. She had as much love for the Cheyenne Tribe as she did for her brother. Her place among their people was as clear as any of the council members. Rowan always assumed they’d find some way to be together, but he was starting to doubt that. The problem was that he didn’t know how to tell her.
    “We better keep going,” Mia said. “We’re not far from home.”
    They started moving once Jonah assured her he was able to walk. The high-rise buildings that held their tribal home was easy to spot. They were close enough to make out movement along the edge of the rooftops. Rowan’s only hope was that they’d made it back before the hunting party. He already knew he’d be confronted for leaving the others, but he didn’t want to be blamed for Mia and Jonah’s near death experience. If they were fast enough, he’d encourage Mia to take her brother home and he’d wait it out on the streets below. His confidence in his plan fell apart the moment they reached the sidewalk across from the central tribal building.
    “Get over here, now.”
    Arkin’s stare was fiercer than any infected could ever match. Mia lowered her gaze and hurried Jonah across the street toward their father. Rowan stayed where he was. Arkin was alone, with no clues indicating if he was the only survivor of the hunting party or if he’d simply excused the others so he could take care of this problem by himself. Mia tried to speak up when she reached her father, but the words were forced from her mouth by the backside of Arkin’s hand.
    Rowan started forward without considering what he was doing. Mia fell to the ground and Jonah got between his father and sister. Rowan reached the center of the street before Arkin addressed him. The elder unsheathed his sword from his waist with the fluid motion of a master. The sudden realization of what was happening froze Rowan mid step.
    “You have embarrassed my family for the last time,” Arkin said.
    “Father, please,” Mia begged as she struggled to stand, “you can’t do this.”
    “Shut your mouth and go or I’ll kill him where he stands.”
    Tears streamed down her face as she looked from her father to Rowan.
    “Just go, everything will be all right,” Rowan said, not believing a word of it.
    Jonah took her hand and pulled. The boy couldn’t bring himself to look at Rowan. Their walk into the building was painful for Rowan to watch. He wasn’t sure he’d ever see them again. Arkin remained silent until Mia’s sobs were lost somewhere inside the building.
    “You’re a danger to the entire tribe.”
    Rowan didn’t move. He didn’t believe Arkin would kill him in cold blood, but the look in the elder’s eyes was feral. He focused on the tip of the sword, still pointed directly at him. The wind whipped the dust from one side of the street to the other. It felt like the entire city was waiting to see what Arkin was going to do. Rowan found enough courage to speak.
    “The infected are gathering, just like I said.” He waited for a reaction that didn’t come. “Darian’s death wasn’t my fault.”
    “They were hunting, nothing else,” Arkin said.
    “They’ve never hunted like this.” Rowan shook his head. “Something’s happening. I think something terrible is coming.”
    “You don’t know anything,” Arkin countered. “You’ve been nothing but a burden to this tribe. You’ve been a plague to my family.”
    Rowan was speechless. He knew then that he’d never be a part of the Cheyenne Tribe again. Arkin would have his way. His knees felt suddenly weak as the weight of what was happening pressed down on him.
    “This is crazy,” Rowan said, and then took a step forward. Arkin stood his ground. “The tribe could be in danger.”
    Arkin slowly lowered his sword.
    “That’s no longer any of your concern.” He kept his eyes trained on Rowan with a stare that could bore a hole through his head.