Blood Curse (Branded Trilogy Book 2) by Kat Flannery

came to the child. He was desperate to bring her back—to receive what was his.
    He needed information, and he shouldn’t feel guilty about asking. He’d given his word damn it; therefore he couldn’t let the emotions of a gypsy stand in the way…even if it was the mother of the child he was going to steal.
     
    Pril tossed a hunk of wood to the side and cringed. The tips of her fingers stung, burned from touching the too-hot wood. She’d searched for hours and still hadn’t found the spell book. Her heart sank as the reality of what had happened to it began to settle over her. The spell book had been in her family for more than a hundred years, and now it was gone. How would she teach Tsura about the gift if she had nothing to help her do so?
    She’d memorized most of the spells, even though she could only count a handful of them, but it was the information within the ancient pages that Pril required to aid in raising her daughter. Tsura was still so young that Pril hadn’t begun to explain things. Tsura had healed her without the words…instead using only her own hands. How was it possible? She’d hoped to read it in the book for she hadn’t seen it yet, and she’d not finished the thick tome.
    She slammed her hand down into the dirt and yelped. The burned flesh screamed as the skin throbbed. Her head ached, and every time she blinked pain shot across her forehead. The disappearance of Tsura pressed into her shoulders, and the urgency to find her daughter caused her lips to tremble. She didn’t know what Milosh would do with her, but she was sure it would not be good.
    My baby where are you?
    Her brother had become a stranger to her—a ruined soul that housed bitterness and hatred, and she mourned the loss of him, even though his presence she felt everywhere she went. She yearned for his forgiveness, for his love and acceptance, but it had never come. He pitied her for taking Vadoma’s child, for being stuck with a curse until he realized it would affect them all. His pity turned to anger, and soon their relationship had been strained. Neither willing to sacrifice their beliefs for the bond they once had.
    The blame lay with Vadoma, with the blood curse and her acts as Chuvani before she died. She’d left them with nothing but a legacy of evil doings. She understood the anger her brothers felt toward their eldest sister, but she could not hate Vadoma and raise Tsura at the same time. She had to put tainted thoughts aside and concentrate on her daughter. But even now after so long the words were at the tip of her tongue to lash out at her dead sister—to speak unkindly of her—to hate her. Instead she bit the inside of her lip and refused to give into the anger she felt.
    “What are you searching for?”
    Kade stood behind her, and she tensed. She thought he’d be long gone by now, leaving the clan to deal with their mess.
    “Why have you not gone?”
    “Help was needed.”
    “How kind.” She dismissed him. Her heart was empty, drained of all emotion. She was unable to hold a conversation with him. She had more insistent matters that took refuge within her mind. She’d have to leave soon if she thought to have a chance at catching Milosh and Tsura.
    “I can see you really think so.” He turned to leave.
    “Wait.”
    “Yes, Gypsy?” He glared.
    “I need your help. I can pay. I—”
    “First you throw insults, and now you’re begging. That is not an attractive quality.”
    “I need not this quality.” She bristled. “I need to find my son.”
    “Son?”
    “Yes.”
    “Do you know who took him?”
    “Of course I do.”
    “Who?”
    She inhaled and paused.
    “Who?” he repeated.
    “My brother, Milosh,” she whispered.
    “You have two brothers?”
    She nodded.
    “No one else will help you find your child?”
    “I cannot ask if of them.”
    “Why not?”
    She bit the inside of her cheek. “The clan has just been devastated. I cannot expect them to help me in the midst of such