Excerpt: Family Secret

The room fell silent.

Netta studied the faces around her and saw the hopelessness etched on each one. She was sure the same hopelessness was in her own.

Finally, one voice broke the silence. Netta's own brother, his face the color of milk, said, "We must protect the Secret at all costs. Our lives mean nothing if it is lost."

"But, what about the children?" This was Netta's cousin, Bhree. She had always been very sensitive, and her eyes shone with tears that had yet to fall.

"There has got to be a way to protect both the Secret and our children," Netta told them.

Around the large table, the other three leaders of their small village enodded.

"How many can we spare to bring the children and the Secret to safety?" This was Jarda. His broad face was thoughtful; his hazel eyes showed the intelligence the rest of his huge form hid.

"There are twenty-four children. If we split them up into groups, they will be harder to find. We should be able to spare three..." Netta's brother, Konos, replied with a questioning lift of his eyebrow.

"Who will go with the children?" Netta asked. "Who will want to leave when everyone is needed in the battle ahead?"