This Place is Death (A Curse Keepers Secret) Read Online Free

risking our families’ lives!” another yelled.
    John narrowed his eyes, swinging his gaze around the group. “Every one of you knew what you were signing up for. You knew the danger and you knew the risk. I brought my own daughter, who was with child, no less. Do you think I would risk the life of the most precious thing in my life if I didn’t believe in this land?” He shook his head in disgust. “We may not be in our predetermined destination, but this is a good settlement for you for now.”
    Something in his voice caught Ananias’s attention. “For us ?”
    John turned his gaze upon his son-in-law. “Until I return.”
    The men became more agitated, but the governor settled them down and continued. “I will return to England with Fernandez and come back to you in the spring with more supplies and, if the queen is willing, an army.”
    “We are supposed to stay here and wait for you to return?” Ananias’s friend, Roger Prat, asked in disgust.
    John moved closer to the man and lowered his voice. “Roger, you have brought your son to this new land, and my own daughter and granddaughter are here, so I of all people understand your concern.” He placed his hand on Roger’s shoulder. “But I am leaving my family with you. Is that the act of a worried man? No, it’s the act of a man who believes in making this place a home for our children and our children’s children, free from religious persecution. Put your trust in God and have faith.”
    “Go Governor!” one of the men shouted. “Bring supplies and more men so we can defend ourselves against the savages!”
    The crowd took up the cheer, their worries seemingly assuaged.
    Ananias did not join in. John’s decision angered him, particularly the way he was using Ellie and Virginia as bargaining chips to gain support. He weighed the threat of losing his temper with the cost of missing the rest of the discussion. Walking away won out. He stood no chance of changing the governor’s mind.
    Ananias strode away from the group, heading for the trees. He wasn’t surprised to see Manteo at the edge of the woods, a stoic expression on his face.
    “You knew?” Ananias challenged. “You knew he was leaving, and you didn’t tell me. Do you condone his decision?”
    The native nodded. “Aye.”
    “But he’s leaving without bringing my wife and child to safety!”
    “And what about my own wife and children, Ananias Dare? Over fourteen seasons have passed and I have yet to see them. I have traveled the great sea four times and returned to the land of my birth twice, yet I still have not seen my family in all that time.”
    Ananias’s mouth dropped. “You never told me you had children.”
    “There is much you do not know.” Manteo took a step into the woods.
    “What do I not know?”
    Manteo moved deeper into the shadows. “Follow me, and I will show you.”
    Anxiety crawled down Ananias’s back, but his need for answers outweighed his fear. “All right.”
    They traveled deep into the woods, Manteo paving the way through the dark forest by what little moonlight filtered through the leaves overhead. Ananias stumbled several times, but Manteo neither commented nor waited for him to regain his footing. He simply trudged on in silence.
    Ananias was used to Manteo’s silence. Sometimes he wondered if that was why he liked the native so well. Manteo demanded little conversation from him; in fact, he demanded little of anything. It was a welcome relief when he was accustomed to being around others who demanded so much.
    Finally, Manteo stopped. “This is the place.”
    Ananias’s foot got caught in a root and he nearly fell. “This is your place of death?” The only threat of death he saw was the possibility of breaking one’s neck.
    “You have eyes but you do not see. Ears but you do not hear. You are in the presence of the spirit realm, yet you remain ignorant.”
    Ananias shook his head. “What does that mean?”
    “You are standing at the gate