Oden Read Online Free Page B

week by Jeprow and his men and Ival is clearly injured; how will he cope in the tunnels?
    “We’ve faced worse. There is only one tunnel entrance on Edael, so we have… no choice. Your human might not survive it, but that isn’t my problem. The fact that… I’m even willing to allow her to see the entrance, to step foot on ground that… she has no right to, is more than she deserves. She is human, Marduke. Father would… have us hung for showing her such a sacred secret.”
    I grind my jaw, trying to control my anger. At least Ival said that in our own language, otherwise while trying to reign in my own anger, I would also have to hold Mattie back from him. Instead of that scenario, she’s just glaring at him for purposely not speaking in English while having no idea what he’s saying.
    “I’m not putting her life at risk,” I tell him resolutely, not leaving any room for argument.
    As I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her against me, she feels stiff and cold. I know she’s only half paying attention to us, the rest of her is being tortured by those terrified screams.
    “She’s more at risk if she stays here. If we can make it through the… water, and to the rooms hidden under our home, there will be a bed for her, medical supplies… and access to food. She can stay there while we plan our attack and get back Oden.”
    I look down at Mattie, feeling her slight shaking. There are dark rings under her eyes, sweat over her brow, and her hair is half stuck to her face and neck. She looks stressed, scared, and tired. This is no place for her and our baby. She needs a place to rest and be away from any war.
    “I don’t like this; it’s too risky to get to the entrance,” I say this even though I know there is no other choice for us. We have to risk the tunnels.
    “We have no other options. We are stuck… on Edael otherwise. I’d prefer to do this with… you, but if you are too weak and scared, then I… will go into those tunnels alone. Your people, your… home, and your family need you. Our mother… is dead, Father has been captured, and Oden is… under attack. I already know you are a… traitor, but how can you turn your back on… us so easily? And all for a lowly human? It’s… disgusting, and if our blood wasn’t being… hunted and exterminated, I’d kill you myself right now.”
    I lock my jaw in place, refusing to express my shock and hurt over his words. As an alternative, I let my anger shine through.
    “I love Mattie. As far as I’m concerned, she is part of my family, and since she is carrying my child, she also carries our blood. Since we’re being hunted, you should be just as concerned about keeping her and the baby alive as I am, even if that is as far as your reasons can stretch.
    “I’m not saying I won’t fight for Oden. I’m not saying that I don’t want to see Jeprow and these Claws burn. I just think we should be smart about this and not get killed by the fifty or so Claws I saw earlier, milling about the entrance of the tunnels. Give me a plan that works, and I will gladly go there with you.”
    “Good, then we will get ourselves… to the tunnels and attack Jeprow from our… hidden advantage. Brother, some free advice for you. If you can’t… control your human, if she gets caught… then you know what will happen to her. Don’t… forget that look Jeprow was giving her. He knows… she is important to you. Her life already has… an expiration date attached. Keep her in the tunnels and… she remains safe. No one but our family knows of… them, and Father would rather die painfully under torture than… reveal our secrets to Jeprow. They will remain safe from—”
    “Will you two stop speaking in that fucking annoying language? It’s driving me insane!” Mattie cuts him off as she pushes away from me. I might have started off speaking English in front of her, but apparently, I stopped once Ival pushed my buttons and anger took over.
    “I’m