by Nesa Miller
“It is time we take our future into our own hands,” Savage carried on. “The High Lord has proven his disregard for the clan. He has left us here to rot while he pursues personal interests, none of which includes us, his clan, his family. It is time for a new leader, a strong chieftain who will make a strong clan.”
Etain hissed a breath through her teeth, whispering just loud enough for the BloodCore close by to hear. “Surely you don’t believe this load of crap.” She turned her head to speak over one shoulder, then the other. “You all know Dar. He would not forsake the clan for personal interests. I know he’s here. I can feel him. Help me find him and stop this insanity.”
The tip of the whip snapped over her head, bringing her attention back to Savage, whose grey-green eyes pierced into hers. “I am the law within these walls. Dar is a traitor and a coward. Why else would he send you instead of coming himself?”
Etain returned the glare and lifted her chin. She was no speechmaker but had to say something. “You are a liar, Savage.”
The woman, greatly amused by the simple words, laughed loudly. “I give you the chance to speak and that’s all you have to say?”
“She is a liar,” spoke a voice from the destroyed doorway. All eyes turned to a boy of fifteen, dressed in black jeans and a white shirt, boots riding low on his thighs. He wore his blond hair long and in a braid down his back. Etain blinked. She’d not seen this boy before. His resemblance to Dar was uncanny. The boy repeated himself, pointing a finger. “She is the liar.”
Savage continued to smirk. “Even a child can see her deception.”
Etain looked more closely at the boy and realized his eyes weren’t on her. She followed his gaze, then laughed. “Look again, sister. He isn’t pointing at me.”
Dar paced the circular room, berating himself for letting the woman get the better of him. In spite of his predicament, he smiled. He found some solace in the fact that he had taught her well. Still, the missing stone was a serious matter, but the puzzle would have to wait. He had to find a way out of this prison first. Having excavated the space personally, he knew the walls were far too thick to shimmer through.
He went back to the stone door, racking his brain to come up with a chant, a spell, anything that might breach its solid surface. He investigated the seal where the door met the rock wall. “You’re too much of a perfectionist for your own good, Dar.” He sighed, pressing his forehead against the black stone. It was then he recognized the tingles in his gut. A warm flush followed, making him sweat. Etain. To feel her in his blood again was a great relief.
The High Lord of Kaos delved into a mental meld with his wife. Through her eyes, he saw she was surrounded by BloodCore, their shields raised and blades ready. “Jstmad.” A snap over her head made her look up. He saw the power-crazed woman on the dais, spewing her disease.
“This ends today.”
Dar looked at his pink-gloved hands. Calling to the demon within, he began battering the center column, breaking it down so he could stand in the center of the room. Removing the gloves, he smiled, seeing his hands had healed enough to manage the task, thanks to his demon blood. He cupped his hands together, moving his lips in a silent chant. A ball of air formed in the space between his palms, soon widening and lengthening into a tower of swirling wind. Its thickness gave the illusion of stone, yet was as transparent as glass. Within its walls was serenity, outside was total chaos. The torches blew out, leaving him in darkness.
He raised his hands, extending the power farther into the gap above his head. The winds swirled in a frenzied tornado, drilling through the solid rock. To help speed the process, he engaged the white light from his eyes, his ultimà solar, to compromise the rock. Etain was here, and nothing was going to keep him from her any longer.
It was just a slight rumble, like what she felt when a hot rod idled next to her little red sports car at a light, or how you felt the power of a Harley long before you saw it.
Definitely a Harley.
The top of the dais exploded, shooting the throne toward the ceiling. A bright light shot out from the resulting crevice, blasting it into pieces. At the explosion, Etain ducked into a crouch. The BloodCore who’d been imprisoning her tightened the circle, lifted their shields overhead, and joined her in a crouched position.
The Warrior Caste, also carrying their shields, ran to those in the clan who had no protection. Before the pieces of stone rained down on their heads, they pushed as many Magi and Judicials out through the great doors as they could, then lifted their shields to cover those who could not escape. Pyro and Warden shifted their own shields to protect themselves. Savage, having been thrown from the dais, lay exposed to the falling debris. Without a second thought, Etain aimed an electrical charge through an opening in the wall of BloodCore, hoping it would be enough.
Shards of stone showered down, some penetrating the protective shields. Bits of rock pock-marked the walls while larger projectiles were embedded in the floor where they landed. Dirt pattered everywhere, dust settling over everyone and everything, followed by stunned silence.
Etain checked those closest to her. No one was hurt. When she heard footsteps crunch through the rubble, she dared to lift her head from the shelter of the shields.
“My lady,” Dar said.
No two words had ever sounded as sweet. He was a welcome sight, his blond mane falling freely over his incredibly broad shoulders, framing his handsome face. Those fathomless gold eyes, so intense, made butterflies flutter in places butterflies should not be. She couldn’t read his aura or connect with his emotions, and the expression on his face was unreadable. She stood, feeling as though her heart had stayed in her boots. It did not look good.
At least he didn’t call me a whore this time.
“My lord.”
He eyed her from head to toe. As uncomfortable as she felt under his scrutiny, she refused to shift or give into the fear that he had lured her here to further her degradation. She breathed through her nose, relaxed her shoulders, and prepared for whatever came next.
A bright smile came to his face. “What are you doing here?”
“Huh?” Etain felt disoriented. The man sounded as if they had run into each other on the street rather than amidst total chaos. Did his lips twitch? Still, she couldn’t read him. “I, uh…” She remembered the scimitars. “Your swords...” The air crackled from the surge of power between them.
His eyes twinkled, holding her gaze. “Beauties from my beauty.”
His smile lit the room and assured her that, once again, he was her Dar. She released the breath she’d been holding. “I-I brought this, too.” She removed the circlet of his breastplate from around Nim’s hilt and handed it to him. “Something told me you might need it.”
“My lady, my lady.” He almost sang the words. “You are most wondrous indeed.” The moment he clasped the circlet around his throat, black armor spanned out, sweeping over his chest and back, encasing each arm down to the wrist where it circled and fanned out into gloves over both hands. With his armor in place, he commanded his BloodCore to their feet. Those who faced Etain, including Jstmad, performed an about-face. Watching the BloodCore draw their blades, she reached for her Nim. There was no way she could get Dar’s blades to him in time.
The seven BloodCore presented their swords. Dar acknowledged the show of respect with a nod, waiting until the warriors stepped past him before extending a hand to his lady.
Dar pulled her close and caressed her face. “Thank Tartarus you’re safe. I thought you were...” He let it go with a sigh. “I have missed you, a chuisle.”
Caught in his gaze, she felt she had to explain. “You have to know I would never-”
He swallowed the rest of her words with a passionate kiss.
When he pulled back, an emotional struggle showed in his eyes. “As incredible as you look in your armor, I would rather have you naked.” Lustful hands groped down, grabbing her rounded bottom. “Let’s put an end to this sad chapter of our liv
es, my precious lady, and go home.”
“Aye,” she whispered, grateful to have him back.
Pyro marched over to Savage, helping her to her feet. Etain’s blue orb had protected her from the falling debris, disappearing when the danger had dissipated. “The bitch tried to kill me,” she snarled, appalled by the reunion on display. “Did you see her attack me?”
Warden stumbled up, speaking in a low voice, “Savage, no one has willingly raised a hand to our cause. Look at them. They watch and wait. Even now, Dar’s BloodCore is loyal to him.”
“Like sheep, they wait to be led. Once Dar has been defeated, the BloodCore will be ours. Pyro, finish this.”
“No, Pyro.” Wariness filled the eyes of the Machin Chin. “We can’t win. They see him as their chieftain.”
“Have faith, Warden,” Pyro whispered, his eye on the High Lady. “Once she’s out of the way, we’ll work together to bring him down. I have bested her many times in our arena. This will be no different.”
Savage licked her lips.
“She’s not the same as she was, Pyro,” Warden argued. “He has changed her. They’re too powerful.”
The man paid no heed to her warnings, drawing his red blade. “You’re wrong. She has changed him, made him weak. Now is the time to strike.”
Dar watched the fool come toward them. “Watch my back,” he whispered to Etain, facing the oncoming threat. “Stand down, Nae’Blis. Put away your weapon and walk out. No one will think any less of you.”
Pyro cracked his neck to one side, then the other, and rolled his shoulders. “I disagree. You abandoned your clan and now you come here to destroy our home. It’s down to me to see that you answer for it.”
Dar looked past Pyro’s shoulder at the real traitor. “You have taken this too far, Savage. Look at this!” He motioned toward the BloodCore standing face to face with each other. “You have torn this clan apart. Set brother against brother. You should leave while your head is still attached.”
“It’s you who has caused this, not me!” she screamed. “Even with your rabid bitch in tow, you're no match for the LOKI clan. Once you’re gone, we will be whole again.” Savage twirled her whip over her head, aiming its deadly tip at Dar.
When Etain’s backside brushed against his, he knew she was in position. His armor, like a second skin, rippled as he reached back for Day Star and Burning Heart, the twin scimitars sliding from their leather sheaths on Etain’s back with ease. He brought them forward, one crossing over the other, slicing the whip into pieces.
Savage staggered back. “You shouldn’t have come back, Dar. You have shamed yourself before the entire clan and proven you’re no longer fit to rule.”
“LOKI deserves a leader, not a ruler. If you think you’re the one, come and take it from me. Prove your own worth. Stop hiding behind others and fight me for the honor of leading this clan.” He kept an eye on Pyro, knowing he could disarm him with little effort. He spared a glance toward Warden, writing her off completely.
“Do you expect me to quake and cry like a little girl?” Savage threw her ruined whip to the floor and reached for the halberd standing at the side of the throne. She pushed Pyro out of her way and came at Dar, backing him toward the wall with an onslaught of relentless swings and jabs. Strike after strike, Savage’s personal hatred of the chieftain bled deeper into her attack. Dar blocked from one side, sweeping up to parry a strike from the other.
Savage poked out with the tip of her halberd, grabbing Dar’s ankle with its hooked tip. The Krymerian, having caught the move too late, fell on his backside. She lifted the bladed tip overhead, swinging down toward Dar’s head. Sparks flew when the blade hit the stone floor.
Dar rolled to the side and was on his feet with lightning speed. He turned to Pyro’s advance, setting the black scimitars into motion with such speed and force it took the man by complete surprise. Day Star cut in low, followed by Burning Heart's high move. In an animated series of advances, Pyro took several blows to his shoulder and side, cutting through both armor and flesh. He stumbled back and fell to the floor, gasping for breath.
Savage jumped in with a series of quick jabs, hitting her mark, but sliding off Dar's armor. Dar swung low with one blade and high with the other. She lunged into the opening joint between the front and rear pieces of his armor. Burning Heart swung back, knocking the halberd from her grip. Dar followed through with a hearty sidekick that propelled the woman into her clansmen. The line broke, allowing the self-appointed ruler to careen into the wall. She hit hard and slumped to the floor.
With Dar distracted by Pyro and Savage, Etain watched the Machin Chin lift her katana, making a run at Dar. Etain moved at the same time, slamming into the woman, knocking them both off their feet, the katana clattering on the floor.
Warden recovered enough to catch Etain’s fist in her hands and, after a power struggle, wrapped her strong legs around Etain. With a flip, she was on top, making Etain’s wings useless beneath her. Warden placed an arm over Etain’s throat, cutting off her air. Etain bucked and twisted, trying to break free, but the arm pressed even harder. Black spots filled her vision.
Mistress, Nim spoke to her.
Not now, Nim. My arms-
At that moment, Warden reached for the katana just out of her grasp, loosening her hold on Etain’s arms. It was enough. Etain called to her sword as she pulled an arm free. Warden’s eyes widened when she realized her mistake and screamed, her back arching when Nim’s hilt jabbed into her kidney. Freed from her chokehold, Etain gasped and coughed, pushed Warden off, then raised up and rammed a fist into the woman’s belly.
“You should’ve stayed on the porch,” Etain rasped. Warden struggled to breathe, then lost consciousness.
The warrior vixen collapsed on top of her and breathed in sweet air. Her gaze circled the room, shifting between the sentries and the BloodCore, then noticed the unconscious Savage sprawled on the floor. Etain glanced across the room and noticed all eyes were on the LOKI chieftain as he walked amongst them. There were several injuries, but he took the time to reassure and speak a healing spell over those who suffered.
Embraced within the obscurity of the moment, she pushed to her feet, picked up Nim, and closed the gap between her and the heretic, Savage. To kill her now would end this insanity. Cut out the cancer and let the healing begin. The tip of Nim pressed into the leather armor over Savage’s heart.
Words from another time echoed in her mind. Push it in. That’s all you have to do. Just push it in and all this will come to an end. Dar had known no other way to end the agonizing push and pull between them. We circle around each other, taking pieces here and there, never accepting what the other offers, yet never letting go. Words spoken before her eyes had opened to what lay between them.
The clash of metal on metal brought her back. Her eyes cleared as she turned to check on Dar. It was not his sword, but those of his original BloodCore in answer to the inexperienced imposters Savage had surrounded herself by. So far, no other clansmen had stood against their chieftain. Her attention returned to the mutineer.
So, Miss Too Big for Your Britches, I leave you to the fate of his choosing. You don’t deserve a quick death.
With the mutinous element of the BloodCore subdued and corralled around their misguided ringleader, the High Lord and High Lady of Kaos walked to the remnants of the throne. Dar bent to pick up a golden crown, which resembled laurel leaves with swords scattered among them. Most of the sharp-tipped swords pointed down to dig into the head of the wearer as a reminder of the weight of duty. Dar raised the crown over his head.
“You no longer have the right to wear the Crown of Kaos,” Savage croaked, now on her feet thanks to the help of Pyro. A battered Warden joined them.
“Silence.” Dar’s voice was twice as cold as his gaze. “This is the crown of my forefathers. Only those born of Kaos, my bloodline, can bear the weight of such a responsibility.” He lowered the crown onto his head. Etain stood next to him, her head held high.
“I am the Master of this castle, and you will kneel before me.”
“I will not kneel to a man who has no honor.” Savage spat.
“Kneel,” his voice boomed throughout the hall, “or lose your head.”
Pyro dropped to one knee. “Long live the High Lord of Kaos.”
Savage watched the BloodCore follow their Nae’Blis. In a domino effect, the entire circle of the LOKI clan fell to a knee.
“Get off your knees! If we work together, we can beat them!” Aside from Dar and Etain, she was the last one standing. She whirled on the couple. “I will not swear fealty to you.”
Etain made a move toward the woman, but Dar halted her with a touch. “Any fealty sworn by you would be a lie, Savage. You have no honor. However, you will kneel.”
His gaze burned with a golden fire. Her face burned with a red rage. Loathed to submit, she bent a knee, a glare in her eyes.
“I, Dar VonNeshta, the High Lord of Kaos and chieftain of the LOKI clan, strip you of your position as my second-in-command. You are exiled…forever. I should have your head for your crime of mutiny, but since my wife has been returned to me unharmed, I feel somewhat charitable.”
Savage jumped to her feet. “I will see you dead for this, Dar, and no one…” The gray-green eyes slid to Etain, “will be able to stop me.”
“Get out of my sight before I change my mind and strip you of more than your status.”
The angry woman stormed to the shattered doorway. Her deadly glare accosted those in her way, making them shift to give her free passage.
Warden was next to voice her opinion. “This clan is not what it once was. Savage stood beside you and led in your absence, without any guidance or help from you. I cannot follow someone I do not respect.”
Dar gave a subtle nod, watching her trail after Savage.
He looked at the Nae’Blis. “I suppose you agree.”
Pyro watched and waited until the women had left the hall. “She speaks the truth, milord. The clan is not what it once was. However, the blame does not fall on the shoulders of just one. We are all at fault.” He motioned to those around him. “Every last one of us.”