Voyage of Death and Desire (THE VAMPIRES OF CHARLESTON #1) by Madalyn Rae EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
- Status: Available for Free Download
- Authors: Madalyn Rae
- Language: English
- Genre: Paranormal / Sci-Fi
- Format: PDF / EPUB
- Size: 2 MB
- Price: Free
leaving home
STANDING in the middle of our small cottage, I hold all of my earthly
possessions inside the worn fabric of my filthy apron. Being the oldest of
nine children, I’m in charge of the girls, while my brother, Charles,
oversees the boys.
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“Elsbeth, make sure the girls have all their belongings,” Mama says as
she swaddles the baby and places it in the bog. The smallest member of our
family hasn’t received a name yet. After losing three young babies, Mama
refuses to name them until they make it through the unforgiving Scottish
winter.
I look into the face of the baby boy she’s holding close. I’ve nicknamed
him Aaron, after my father. Black circles underline his wide eyes, and he’s
smaller than he should be at five months old. “Elsbeth, did ya hear me?”
“Aye. Sorry, Mum.” I turn toward the three girls standing in front of me.
Each holds a small bundle similar to mine. “You three have all your
things?”
Each girl nods. My sisters are young. After I was born, there seemed to
be a time when Mama couldn’t have anything but boys. The three-, five-,
and six-year-old girls stare at me, wide-eyed and terrified.
“Charles, how about the boys?” she asks my brother.
“We’re good,” he answers.
“Good. Let’s go.” Mama takes a deep breath before leading us away
from the cottage for the last time.
The walk to the marina is long and cold as the winter winds have
already begun to blow. The sun is sinking lower in the sky as we slowly
make our way toward town. “Elsbeth, make sure the girls keep up,” she
demands.
I turn, finding the youngest of my sisters lagging. The fabric that’s tied
around her feet has begun to tear, and her toes are sticking out. The one pair
of shoes the girls share is too big for her right now, meaning she’s wearing a
flour sack wrapped around her feet.
“Bonnie, keep up.”
“I can’t,” she cries. “My feet aren’t working.”
I turn around and pick her up, pulling her to my side. She barely weighs
anything. She sniffs deeply and sinks her face into my shoulder. “Thank
you, Elsie.”
In the distance, I see the tops of large sails, letting me know we’re close.
I sigh in relief. Truthfully, my feet hurt, too, and with the added weight of
Bonnie, the walk has gotten harder.
We enter the outskirts of the village, catching the stares of strangers and
people we’ve known all our lives. Each judges us as we pass. Some are
whispering, telling stories of why we’re leaving. Most don’t know the
truth…only what they believe to be the truth.
“Keep up,” Mama warns from in front.
“Wow,” Bonnie whispers over my shoulder. “Is that what we’re riding
on to America?”
“That’s it. Stay quiet now,” I warn as we approach. Men of all different
shapes and sizes stop what they’re doing and stare at the ten of us as we
approach.
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