Defiance (The Priestess Trilogy) Read Online Free Page B

replaced by a strong, moaning wind. Lightning flashed, clawing against the sky. The wickerwork door of a small cottage rattled noisily under the force of the wind as it gained strength, becoming harsher and louder. The ground trembled as thunder clapped. Lightning filtered through the cracks in the wickerwork door before it flew open, unable to hold against the stren gth of the wind any longer, sending a strong gust to tear through the cottage, swirling around a young woman sleeping.
    Shiovra , daughter of Tríonna and Coughlin, opened her eyes and turned her head, looking wearily at the doorway. She blinked slowly, the flashes of lightning illuminating her face. Sitting up, she swung her feet to the ground. Shiovra could feel a strong power in the air, one that laced through her body. Glancing down, she traced the dark blue honor marks curling around her left wrist. Her eyes flickered back to the storm as she rose to her feet. Heedless of the malicious storm that raged, she made her way to the doorway, watching as lightning clawed the sky and rain poured down . The wind stirred her unbound hair while her eyes watched with curiosity .
    Shiovra stood at the doorway silently. The storm called out to her, dre w her to it. She began to hum softly, matching her tune to the wild rhythms brought forth by the storm. Her song shifted swiftly with every movement that the storm set out. The melody was as haunting as it was beautiful, a mysterious and entrancing song that poured from somewhere deep within her, call ing, summoning. The energies in the air increased, filling circling her, filling her.
    Shiovra ended her enchanting song abruptly as a sharp gust of wind blew cold rain onto her, making the slender young woman shiver beneath her thin, soft green shift. She abruptly turned away from the door with a soft curse, closing it behind herself.
    Sighing, she tied her hair loosely back with a stri p of leather, threw a russet colored cloak about her shoulders, and turned to leave the small cottage.
    The wickerwor k door clattered open once more, sending rain to pour into the cottage.
    Shiovra paused at the doorway. Something was calling to her , something very strong and sad . There was a flash within her mind and she saw a village engulfed in flames. She could feel the searing heat of the flames and hear the painful cries of the villagers. In her mind ’ s eye, she saw a woman lose her child and receive a mortal wound to her side with the sharp, gleaming blade of a sword. As quickly as it had come upon her, the vision was gone. Yet, Shiovra could still feel the heat of the flames on her skin and still smell the smoke.
    Sh e crumpled to her knees, her breath coming hard and painful. Shiovra ’s body trembled uncontrollably with fear. Her heart ached within her chest, pierced by the pain she had felt within the vision. Never before had she seen such pain, such grief. It pulled at her, consuming her mind. Even when she was a child of eight, she had never seen what the attack upon Tara when her mother was killed.
    Shiovra chocked back sobs , each one tearing through her chest . After several minutes, she rose weakly to her feet and hastened from the cottage, heart pounding loudly.
    She wove her way through the dark cottages scattered about . Sliding through muddy pud dles, she nearly fell rounding one cottage, but was caught by her aunt, Réalta Dubh, as she was quickly making her way towards the main gates of the ring - fort.
    “Réalta…” Shiovra breathed, leaning against a cottage wall.
    Réalta nodded. “I can feel it as well ,” replied the older woman hurriedly, pushing her wet hair from her face. She stopped abruptly and her face became grave, losing its usual emotionless state. It was then that Shiovra noticed the worry in the woman’s unusual eyes.
    Shiovra followed Réalta’s gaze and froze.
    The main gates stood wide open and a broken, disheveled woman staggered through. Lightning flashed behind her, silhouetting her