Kora Exiled (Kora Series Book 2) Read online

  KORA EXILED

  Marina Epley

  In accordance with U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the author at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Copyright @ 2018 Marina Epley

  Cover Art Copyright @ Consuelo Parra

  Model: Black ofelia stock.deviantart

  Amazon Edition 2018

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  Marina Epley

  The Mind Breaker: Elimination

  I also have another thrilling dystopian series available now on Amazon and included in Kindle Unlimited. Follow this link to check it out https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HW5AKK0

  Eighteen-year-old Rex is trying to survive in a dangerous world where the government hunts down, imprisons and even kills those with psychic abilities.

  He’s a mind breaker, considered not only a deviation from the norm but the biggest threat to society.

  Once he reveals his abilities for hypnosis, the deadly hunt begins…

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  CHAPTER 31

  CHAPTER 32

  CHAPTER 33

  CHAPTER 34

  CHAPTER 35

  CHAPTER 36

  CHAPTER 37

  CHAPTER 38

  CHAPTER 39

  CHAPTER 40

  CHAPTER 41

  CHAPTER 42

  CHAPTER 1

  The door opening wakes me. I sit up, feeling suffocated, still sensing his hands squeezing my throat. Then I remember that Gabriel is dead. I killed him along with his mother.

  Two rangers enter the shack and walk across the room toward me. I remain motionless. They grab my arms and yank me to my feet, causing a sudden burst of intense pain in my shoulders. I grind my teeth, but don’t resist which would be pointless.

  They half lead, half drag me outside, and I squint into the bright sunshine. The sky is unusually cloudless. The village streets are empty, so I assume it must be early morning. I don’t know how many hours I’ve spent locked in that gloomy shack.

  The last thing I recall is walking through the woods toward Jin’s house. Several guys in black hoodies stepped out from the fog in front of us. Upon seeing them, Wreck gripped my elbow to pull me closer.

  “You were out hunting with Maxie and Jin,” he whispered. “You’ve got no idea where I was or what I was doing.”

  A moment later, multiple arms took hold of me and threw me to the ground. A wet cloth covered my face, and then darkness. I think I was drugged.

  I take a deep breath and push away my memories. I must focus on the current moment.

  My captors pull me forward, leading me down a village street. My head is spinning and I feel like I’m verging on a blackout. But I can’t pass out again, not here and not now. I have to be strong or at least pretend to be strong.

  I stop abruptly and take two quick steps back, ripping myself loose from their arms.

  “Enough!” I say sternly. “Where are you taking me? To Tartis? Just show me where to go and I’ll follow. I intended to see him anyway.”

  They stare at me. My outburst must have taken them by surprise. Black and white paint covers their faces, so they look identical. Both wearing dark hoodies and cargo pants along with heavy boots, typical roamer uniforms. I’m dressed in a similar manner, though my face is clean.

  “Shut your mouth, girl,” one ranger barks, reaching for me. I step back.

  The other ranger stops him short, “C’mon. Just give her a break.”

  They glare at each other, both ready to fight, then the first guy shrugs.

  “Whatever.”

  “Lead me to Tartis,” I say.

  They motion for me to follow, and we proceed along the street. I smirk, very pleased with my actions. At least I’m no longer a helpless, speechless victim.

  “Did Tartis order our capture?” I ask.

  They ignore me.

  “You’ll do anything he orders, right?” I continue spitefully. “You’re just his puppets.”

  “Be quiet,” the ranger on my right growls.

  “I thought the people in this village loved freedom,” I say, unable to stop. “But you’re no different from the servants. You’re all slaves to Tartis.”

  “Shut your hole!” the ranger on my right raises his hand, threatening me.

  I give him a challenging look.

  “She’s actually right,” the other says. “Tartis has turned everyone into his puppets. This is not what Jingfay intended.”

  “What?” the aggressive ranger snorts.

  I share in his astonishment.

  “Nothing,” the friendly guy mutters.

  I glance at him. He’s an inch shorter than me, and his eyes are vivid green. Have we met before?

  He catches my gaze and adds quietly, “Many of us admire what you and Kris did.”

  “What are you talking about?” I frown. “We didn’t do anything.”

  He grins. “Of course not.”

  His hand grips my arm again, but his touch is careful and almost gentle this time. He’s not trying to drag me forward so much as to help me walk.

  I still don’t trust him. I don’t trust anyone at all.

  ***

  They lead me inside a spacious, well-illuminated cabin and order me to sit on a chair placed in the middle of the room. I plop down willingly, happy to finally rest. Physical exertion doesn’t exhaust me so easily, but emotional strain does.

  An arrogant-looking man is reading a book behind a wooden desk in front of me. He’s dressed in a black ranger’s outfit, but wearing no paint on his face. This is the leader of the roamers, Tartis, the very man who once ordered me killed.

  The two rangers who brought me here stand on either side of me. I glance at the green-eyed guy, but he looks away.

  “Why am I here?” I ask in a hollow voice. It sounds more hopeless and weak than I’d intended.

  Tartis gives no reaction, not acknowledging me.

  The aggressive ranger slaps my head. “Shut up!”

  I almost fall out of the chair, the ro
om spinning in front of my eyes.

  “Don’t touch her!” the green-eyed guy exclaims, shoving my aggressor away.

  “Back off, loser!” the attacker growls.

  They both draw knives and I duck, suppressing an impulse to run for the door. No, it wouldn’t work right now. Although I’m an excellent runner, I wouldn’t make it too far being handcuffed.

  “Leave us,” Tartis orders, finally shutting the book and scowling. He seems displeased to have his soldiers fighting over me.

  The rangers head outside, silent and obedient. I breathe out. I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath.

  Slowly, Tartis looks me over and the amount of hatred in his eyes frightens me.

  “So, I guess you’d like to know why you’re here,” he states.

  “That would be nice,” I answer.

  “But I’m certain you already know why.”

  I raise my eyebrows in a fake astonishment. I frown, pretending to ponder his words.

  “I don’t understand…” I mutter.

  “Stop lying!” he yells, hitting the desk with his fist.

  I shudder. I wish I could remain completely calm, but my hands begin shaking. I hate myself for showing my fear, but there’s nothing I can do about it.

  “How dare you lie to your master?” he asks.

  You’re not my master, I think angrily. I’m no longer a slave and don’t have a master. I want to spit in his mean, hateful face, but instead I lower my head.

  “I’m sorry,” I say, “but I don’t understand what I’ve done wrong.”

  “You don’t understand?” Tartis lets out a short laugh and throws his book at me. It hits my shoulder. I flinch, but manage to maintain a calm expression. “You miserable rat!” he continues. “I was kind enough to let you stay in my village. I spared your life as well as the life of your worthless friend. And after all that you break our number one rule and now dare to lie to me!”

  He must know everything, I realize. But I can’t give up now. He’ll order me killed, should I admit what Wreck and I did.

  I look straight into his eyes. “I haven’t broken any rules.”

  “Two days ago you and Kris went to Central Settlement,” he says matter-of-factly, and my throat tightens. “You freed some servants. You broke a major rule of this village, not to attack Central Settlement.”

  I frown. “I’ve never been to Central Settlement. Two days ago I was staying in Jin’s house. Maxine and I were hunting.” I smile slightly. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask Jin and Maxine.”

  “Why should I bother asking them?” he laughs. “I’m sure they’re both in cahoots. I should have killed that worthless old witch and her bastard daughter a long time ago.”

  My blood boils. I envision myself sticking a knife in his meaty throat. I want to shut his foul mouth forever.

  “It’s all a mistake,” I say quietly.

  “Kora,” he says. “I know exactly what happened. I spoke with Kris this morning. He told me everything.” He pauses, curling his lips into a mocking smile. “He blames you. He said you manipulated him.”

  I feel cold sweat dripping down my back. That can’t be true, I persuade myself. Wreck wouldn’t tell Tartis anything. Threatening or even beating him wouldn’t make him talk.

  Tartis waits patiently for my answer. I remain silent.

  “If you tell me the truth, I’ll spare your life,” he offers.

  “I already told you the truth.”

  “Oh really? So you were just hunting.”

  I nod.

  “And what did you kill?” he asks.

  “A rabbit,” I say quickly.

  “I think you killed something else besides a rabbit. I believe you killed the high master of Central Settlement.”

  I swallow hard and stretch my lips into a smile.

  “Just a rabbit,” I repeat.

  “Do you know what I can do to you?” he asks. “I have over two hundred rangers under my command. Two hundred merciless cold-blooded killers. What if I gave you to them for a night? What if I permitted them to do whatever they please with you?”

  He pauses, watching me for a reaction. I don’t say anything, my heart beating so fast I’m becoming sick.

  “Scared?” he asks.

  I remember Ace and his friends threatening to break my legs and leave me in the woods to slowly die. But I also recall a crowd of roamers shouting my name during my initiation, celebrating my joining their group. I’m one of them now. I shouldn’t forget this fact. And yes, I’ve already spent the entire night alone with two hundred rangers, even while being drugged into a total blackout. It was quite all right.

  “Why should I be scared?” I throw a sharp look at Tartis. “The rangers are my brothers now.”

  His mouth twitches. He narrows his eyes, piercing me with his heavy stare, but I don’t look away.

  He must realize that at least half of rangers would join my side. His position in the village isn’t as strong as he wants everybody to believe. He may be the leader here, but I’m still Jin and Wreck’s friend.

  “Do you realize that your actions may lead to a war with Central Settlement?” he asks.

  I don’t answer.

  “You’ve endangered everybody in this village,” he adds.

  I remain mute, but his words worry me. I know he’s speaking the truth this time.

  “What did you and Kris do?” he inquires one more time. “Tell me and I’ll let you live.”

  I shrug, wondering what exactly he knows. He’s obviously aware that we went to Central Settlement, but perhaps that is where his knowledge ends.

  “I realize that Kris is concealing something from me,” Tartis says. “He must have had a really good reason to follow you. What is that reason? How did you convince him to help you?”

  I feel relieved. He doesn’t know that Wreck is the true high master of our land. I almost begin laughing. Because if Tartis only knew, if he ever saw the tattoo on Wreck’s back… he’d have us both killed instantly. Or maybe he’d send us back to Central Settlement. The masters would be happy to get rid of anybody who could threaten their leadership.

  “Where did all these servants come from?” Tartis asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Whose servants are they?”

  “Who?” I stare at him stupidly. “What servants?”

  “They’re your friends, aren’t they?”

  I shake my head no, although he’s guessed everything correctly.

  “What if I order them all killed?” he smiles.

  I shrug. “I don’t really care. They’re nobody to me.”

  I force myself to sound indifferent, but my voice quivers. I think of Trent. I think of Martha, Samantha and Sandro. I must find a way to protect them.

  “You have no idea what you’ve gotten into, girl,” Tartis says. “You may believe that Kris can help you. But you’re mistaken. I now understand that he fooled you. It was his idea to attack Central Settlement, wasn’t it?”

  “I’m not sure what you mean. I haven’t seen Wreck for a while and…”

  “Stop protecting him. He’s not your friend. He’s just using you.”

  I don’t answer. An image of Wreck holding a knife to my throat comes to mind.

  “You don’t know anything about Kris,” Tartis says, his voice patronizing. “He’s not the guy he appears to be. He’s done many terrible things before. I let him stay in the village only out of respect to his stepmother. But he isn’t a good person to be around.” He pauses again, then adds, “He’s very dangerous.”

  I know I shouldn’t believe Tartis. But I suddenly envision Wreck holding the severed head of his uncle. I remember him dragging his crying cousin by her hair, a wicked grin spread across his face.

  “He must have told you something to force you to help him,” I hear Tartis say mockingly. “Am I correct? I hate to disappoint you, but he’s delusional. You shouldn’t believe anything he says.”

  I sit still, listening to my own heartbeat, trying to ignore
his words. But I can’t shake my doubts. I recall Wreck shouting in the dark, holding his switchblade on something only he could see. How can I trust a crazy guy? How can I know he didn’t lie to me? His own aunt called him Nicholas. Why would she call him Nicholas if his name is Christopher? I’m not sure what to think.

  My facial expression must betray me, because Tartis smiles. “You’re not safe around Kris. He’s luring you into a trap. And you’re not his first victim.”

  My head begins aching again. I remain silent.

  “He’s done it before,” Tartis sighs. “He’s been friendly toward a few other girls in the village. After gaining their trust, he did some very nasty things. He took advantage of them, then hurt them very badly. Don’t ask me why. He’s insane and it’s hard to predict what perverted ideas he might come up with.”

  I stare into the floor, attempting to seem unconcerned. I don’t think I really succeed.

  “Let’s make a deal, Kora. Tell me everything you know about his plans, and I’ll allow you and your friends to stay in my village. You won’t have to worry about Kris. My rangers will take care of him.”

  I don’t answer. No matter what’s true or not, I can’t betray Wreck, can’t turn against him.

  “I’ll let you think on it,” Tartis concludes.

  ***

  The green-eyed roamer leads me back toward the shack where I was kept earlier. We don’t talk. He follows me inside and closes the door.

  “Turn around,” he directs, pulling a set of keys from his pocket.

  I don’t move, watching carefully.

  “I just want to free your arms,” he adds.

  Why would this guy help me? I wonder, but do as he says. I’m too exhausted to remain cautious. He removes my handcuffs.

  “Thirsty?” He offers me a flask. “Have a drink. It’s just water.”

  I stare blankly into his painted face, then take the flask and drink greedily. Only now I fully realize how thirsty and hungry I am. I don’t remember when I last ate.