Scorched: The Last Nomads (The Burnt Earth Series Book 1)
Page 14
Enrique nodded. ”I will. Thank you. Be safe, Keyes. And good luck.”
“You too. And don’t forget what we talked about.”
He half-laughed, half-huffed. “I haven’t been able to think of anything else since.”
I smiled. “Please tell Carrington not to worry. And that I’m sorry.”
Enrique nodded. Reaching out, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder and gave me something that looked like the semblance of a hug. With that, he nodded to Legba in thanks then climbed on the bike. With then engine primed, it started smoothly.
He turned and waved to the others. Passing me one last look, he turned and drove off, heading back into Hell’s Passage. I watched him go until I couldn’t see him anymore.
“Very well then,” Legba said. “Dead Troupe, shall we?”
Taking a deep breath, I gazed once more at Hell’s Passage. It might be a long time before I saw that skyline again. I exhaled slowly then turned and joined the others on the trolley. When I climbed aboard, Manderly—who was driving—and Legba looked back at me. Both of them smiled softly at me, their expressions so alike that you couldn’t help but know they were father and daughter.
The sisters, however, were far more effusive. They giggled and smiled. “Now you have to take a crown,” Nara said, reaching out to plunk one of the tiaras on my head. “Don’t worry, Keyes. We’ll come up with an act for you. Something easy. Don’t worry about it at all.”
“Thanks,” I said, reaching up to touch the dainty crown.
Sparrow smiled and nodded at me, and Tiny gave me a small wave.
“Here,” Bodi said, patting a cot. “This one’s yours.” I noticed that he’d given me the cot under his own.
Nara whispered something to Lyra who giggled, but nothing more was said when Legba shot a sharp look over his shoulder.
Nara rolled her eyes then winked at Legba, who smothered a smile.
I slipped onto the cot, setting my gear in the corner.
Bodi sat down beside me. Wordlessly, he slipped his hand into mine, squeezing it gently. I gazed into his eyes, tried to calm my nerves, and then looked out the front window.
Manderly pulled the trolley back onto the street. Without another moment’s hesitation, we turned and headed north onto the burning road.
Hold on, Ash. I’m coming.
* * *
Coming soon! Continue the journey in Scorched: The Burning Road.
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Acknowledgements
I owe a massive debt of gratitude to Becky Stephens. You’re always there for me. Thank you for everything you do.
I also owe thanks to my daughter who insisted on naming the heroine Keyes. This series is dedicated to my children who have taught me so much about the fierce bond of love between siblings.
Thank you to my sanity check team: Erin Hayes, Margo Bond Collins, and Carrie L. Wells. Without you, I’d probably be barking mad by now.
Thank you as well to my father, Edward Kernick, and to my brother, Michael Hall, for helping me with all things mechanical.
And as always, thank you to the BIC group, Jessica Nelson, and my beloved family.
About the Author
Melanie Karsak is the author of The Airship Racing Chronicles, The Harvesting Series, The Burnt Earth Series, The Celtic Blood Series, and the Steampunk Fairy Tales Series. A steampunk connoisseur, zombie whisperer, and heir to the iron throne, the author currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.
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Table of Contents
Scorched: The Last Nomads
Dedication
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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
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Acknowledgements
About the Author
Table of Contents