Barren

Barren
Peter V. Brett

A new Demon Cycle novella from internationally bestselling author Peter V. BrettEach night, the world is overrun by bloodthirsty demons. For centuries, humanity survived only by hiding behind defensive wards – magical symbols of power. Now, though, the rediscovery of other, long-forgotten wards has given them the magic they need to fight back…In Tibbet’s Brook, the fighting wards have brought change, heightening tensions and grudges of a troubled past. Selia Square, the woman they call Barren, has long been the force holding the Brook together. As a terrifying new threat emerges, she must rally the people of the Brook once more.But Selia has a past of her own. And in a small community the personal and the political can never be divided. If Tibbet’s Brook is to survive, Selia must uncover memories she has buried deep – of the woman she once was and the woman she once loved – to retell their story.

Copyright (#ucca75561-eef5-5db8-aad1-1811eaeb5bae)

HarperVoyager

An imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd

1 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9GF

www.harpercollins.co.uk (http://www.harpercollins.co.uk)

First published in Great Britain by HarperCollinsPublishers 2018

Copyright © Peter V. Brett 2018

Ward artwork designed by Lauren K. Cannon, copyright © Peter V. Brett

Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2018

Cover texture © Shutterstock.com (http://Shutterstock.com)

Peter V. Brett asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue copy of this book is available from the British Library.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins.

Source ISBN: 9780008234126

Ebook Edition © July 2018 ISBN: 9780008234133

Version: 2018-10-02

Dedication (#ucca75561-eef5-5db8-aad1-1811eaeb5bae)

For John Brett Jr. 1970–97 It gets easier, but it never gets easy.

‘Know Messengers are in short supply, Leesha.’ Renna’s voice was unusually timid. ‘But if you could spare one for Tibbet’s Brook …’

‘We sent one immediately after the attack,’ Leesha said.‘But Tibbet’s Brook is a long journey, even on warded horseshoes.

Renna grunted. ‘Even on a straight round trip, it will be new moon again by the time you get an answer.’

Again the dice clattered.

Inevera breathed. ‘I see a village entire, dancing like puppets to a demon’s strings. I see brother killing sister, father killing son.

‘I see an empty cradle.’

Map (#ucca75561-eef5-5db8-aad1-1811eaeb5bae)

Contents

Cover (#u423483ea-c052-5351-a2d8-cb86737cd3f2)

Title Page (#u969c8518-adba-53fc-ae95-ae18f643020c)

Copyright

Dedication

Prophecy (#u3b496187-cc22-595f-bb4c-6ef909680dcc)

Map

Chapter 1: Greatward (#ub5c08f81-7cde-590e-9cf1-201609e6abcb)

Chapter 2: The Square Girls’ Club (#u0841fd3a-22ec-5a1d-ba16-9433b087a18d)

Chapter 3: The Hive (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 4: Far as We Need (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter 5: The Vote (#litres_trial_promo)

About the Author

By the Same Author

About the Publisher (#litres_trial_promo)

1 (#ulink_383b7dd7-8c0a-5ab9-9eeb-63b115049f08)

Greatward (#ulink_383b7dd7-8c0a-5ab9-9eeb-63b115049f08)

334 AR Summer

Selia shifted, wrapping her arms tighter around the body next to her. Smooth skin with hard muscle beneath, warm like a crock filled with fresh-baked cookies. She put her nose into the thick braid of hair and inhaled. The scent was euphoric.

Selia’s eyes popped open.

‘Night, girl!’ She gave Lesa a shove to wake her. ‘Fell asleep again!’