Bonds That Blind (Daughters of Anubis)

by Kelli Kimble

  It didn’t matter how I felt about the game, though. Sei loved it and begged us to set one up for her at least once a week. We’d planned an elaborate search just for today. It had ten treasures, one for each year of her life, plus one to grow on, and last weekend we’d hidden all of the prizes. I unfolded the map and spread it on the ground for her to study.

  “Do you have your compass?”

  “Check.” She held it up for me to inspect.

  “Very good. And your canteen. Is it full?”

  “Check.” She shook it to demonstrate.

  “Safety whistle and matches?”

  “Check.”

  “First aid kit, granola bars, and pocket knife?”

  “Check, check, and check.” She stuffed everything except the map and the compass into her backpack and then crouched over the map. “Where do I start?”

  “Before you find where you’re going, show me where you are.”

  Sei rolled her eyes and huffed a big breath. “I’m not a baby, Honi.”

  “I know that. You think I don’t know that? You’re growing up right in front of my face. But you know the rules. Show me where we are.”

  She stabbed a sticky finger at the spot where our campsite was located.

  “Great. Good job. We’re going to start with the one that’s furthest away, and make our way back to camp from there. It’s this one, right here.” I pointed to a star marked on the map.

  She snatched up the map and stood, orienting herself with her compass. Before I could even stand up, she was running out of camp.

  “Wait, Sei. Wait! Nooku isn’t back yet.”

  “He knows where we’re going,” she shouted over her shoulder. She didn’t even slow down. She’d be out of sight in only a minute or two more, and my own pack wasn’t ready. I didn’t have time to get it together. It was only a few miles off. I started after her.

  Nooku nearly knocked me down when I rounded a big tree.

  “What’re you doing?” he said, irritation clouding his face.

  “Chasing after Sei. She’s already off to the first treasure.”

  “Are you for real? We can’t let a nine-year-old wander around out there by herself. And where’s your pack? You aren’t prepared. Uncle Kal would have your hide if he were here.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “Then I guess it’s a good thing he isn’t here. You have your pack. She’s getting further away. Let’s go.”

  Pushing him aside, I rushed forward. I could just make out the purple sleeves of Sei’s raglan t-shirt in the trees ahead. Feeling like she was getting further out of reach, I started to run. It didn’t take long for Nooku to catch up.

  “You’re so slow,” he said. Even though we were homeschooled, our parents encouraged us to take up sports. I’d played on a community softball team every year since I was four. Nooku was a long-distance runner, and he could run circles around me.

  Though possibly not the sugar-charged legs of a nine-year-old.

  He was definitely going to catch her, and I was already feeling winded. A little voice somewhere in my head told me something wasn’t right. I slowed to a stop and listened while I scanned the trees for something out of place. In the distance, Nooku caught up to Sei and she whooped out his name. He’d probably picked her up and swung her around. The thought made me smile. She and I had a good relationship, but she shared something special with Nooku.

  A twig snapped nearby. I turned towards the sound searching and sniffing. But I didn’t see or smell anything out of order. I took a cautious step forward.

  A sound that sent chills clear up my spine and over my scalp came out of the undergrowth beside my right foot: a rattle.

  My breath caught in my throat. I’d rather be confronted by a bear or a coyote. With a slow, deliberate movement, I slid my foot away from the shrubbery that I thought was hiding the snake. Maybe it was my imagination or wishful thinking, but the rattle seemed slightly less agitated. I took a big step away with my left foot, and, after a long pause with no change in the rattle, I pulled my right foot slowly forward to meet my left. The rattling slowed and stopped altogether.

  Satisfied that the snake was going to leave me alone, I resumed running after Nooku and Sei. I felt like the boogeyman was behind me. Fear nipped at my heels, propelling me forward at a much faster pace than I could normally maintain. I broke through the treeline into a meadow where Nooku and Sei were walking hand in hand.

  “Honi! We’re almost there,” Sei said. She didn’t notice that I was covered in sweat and breathing hard. But Nooku did.

  “What’s eating you?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Afraid a monster might get ya?” He growled and leaped at Sei, curling his hands into imaginary claws. Sei screamed but immediately dissolved into giggles as Nooku tickled her.

  “Nothing,” I said. I rubbed my sweaty palms across my khakis and tried to catch my breath.

  Sei wriggled out of Nooku’s grasp. “Enough tickling,” she said. “I’ve got to find the treasure.” She oriented herself and checked the map, then sprinted off across the meadow. A ripple of pride ran through me. She was running straight towards the first treasure cache.

  “Seriously, you okay?” Nooku asked.

  “Snake,” I said.

  He wisely didn’t say anything more. “Let’s go. She’s getting away from us again.” He took off in what appeared to be an easy jog, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to catch him. Anyway, I was still catching my breath. I set off at a swift walk, hoping that I’d catch up by the time they got to the second treasure, which was a little closer.

  Would you like a free copy of the prequel to the Daughters of Anubis series? You’ll hear about release dates, sales, and other fun tidbits if you sign up here!

  One Last Thing...

  If you enjoyed this book—or even if you hated it—I’d be very grateful if you would post a short review on Amazon. I am an independent author trying to make a go of it, and your support really does make a huge and appreciated difference. I read all the reviews so that I can make my next book even better.

  Thank you for your support!

  About Kelli Kimble

  I live and work in Northeast Ohio with my husband, two kids, and two dogs. When I’m not writing, I enjoy all kinds of nerdy things including quilting, reading, cooking, coding, running and most certainly not cleaning.

  I welcome questions and comments from readers. If you would like to contact me directly, you can send an email to KelliKimble@repatriateprotocol.com. To learn more about my writing, please visit KelliKimble.com.

  Acknowledgements

  I’d like to thank my family for all their support, even while I was burning dinner or neglecting to wash the dishes. I’m indebted to you for your understanding and love. You three are the best. Love you forever!

  I’d also like to thank my friends Dan and Paul for their encouragement and advice, and to Dan for an alpha read.

  It’s hard to put yourself out there in writing form, but you all gave me the confidence to try. You guys rock!

  Other Books by Kelli Kimble

  The Repatriate Protocol series:

  Repatriate Protocol (Book One)

  Expatriates (Book Two)

  Volunteers (Book Three)

  Choosing (Book Four)

  Purging (Book Five)

  Searching (Book Six)

  Evolution (Book Seven)

  Reclamation (Book Eight)

  Redemption (Book Nine)