Forsaken Hunger

by Nikki McCoy

  The Lady smoothed her already straight, raven locks in a calming motion. “I need them to think this was an act of infiltration purely orchestrated by the Djinn.”

  “There has to be another way,” Weiss grumbled.

  “If you can think of one to take care of this situation as quickly and quietly as possible, please, let it be known.”

  The chief let out a low growl of frustration.

  “I will need to speak to Serrakus to verify Saden’s release from his Drakon sentence,” the Lady said to Lucius.

  “And you will. I’ll notify him immediately of your request.” As soon as he put all the pieces into play. There was still one more crucial part to his plan. “Oh, and let’s keep my offer of assistance between us, shall we?” he added almost as an afterthought. “I wouldn’t want to turn my good intentions into a battle of competition with my brother, Serrakus.”

  Of course, that’s exactly what it would become when Serrakus caught on to what he’d done. With Saden installed in the house of Avram as the Korvaute in charge of bringing those involved with Gabriel to justice, he would be in a position to work directly with Lucius. Through that inside connection, Lucius would be able to gain information on the violators and send his own Drakons to help Saden apprehend them. Thereby allowing him to claim rights to their souls and make them Drakons under his control.

  It was a foolproof way to ensure he got credit for them no matter which Drakonem’s territory they were captured in.

  Serrakus was going to be livid when he found out. By then, however, it would be too late. Lucius’ control over Saden would be complete, and nothing Serrakus did could change that.

  Lady Ilsa gave a curt nod. “I understand. Tell the ex-Drakon to come to me when he’s ready.”

  Lucius closed the rift then walked to the liquor cabinet against the wall to his right. After pouring several fingers into a snifter, he took a long swig and let the smile he’d been holding in spread across his face. Never had his curiosity been so fortuitous, and this was just the beginning.

  Allorha emerged from the shadows on the other side of the room. Her burnished skin glinted in the flickering light of the torches lining the walls as she sauntered over to him. The revealing silks she had changed into two days ago when she’d returned from the human realm flowed along her generous curves. Everything about her was provocative, and she was all too aware of the effect she had on Lucius.

  He felt himself grow hard as she pressed her body seductively to his. “Not yet, my little minx. I still have a few things to take care of, then I’ll give you your reward.”

  “Are you pleased?” she purred demurely.

  He threaded his fingers through the braids at the back of her skull then crushed them in his hand to give a measure of erotic pain. “You know I am.”

  Her role in all of this had yielded far more gains than he ever could’ve hoped for. She had been a background witness to the events leading to this point. Everything from Saden’s meeting with the Rakshasas to the night of Gabriel’s murder, she had been there, walking through Saden’s mind and experiencing what he did. The information she’d provided him with was invaluable.

  She was definitely far greater an asset as a spy than a converted Drakon.

  “I still don’t understand,” she said. “How can you be sure Saden will work with you?”

  He took another drink then put down his glass with a smile. “I’m going to petition Tallos for Mckenzie’s soul. After I tell him how Serrakus had set Saden up for failure from the beginning by indirectly informing Gabriel he was under investigation, he’ll agree with me that taking away his rights to Mckenzie is a suitable punishment. Saden will be forever grateful to me for taking possession of the halfling, knowing as he does from personal experience how Serrakus will treat someone so young under his control. He’ll do whatever I ask in exchange for my preferred treatment of the girl.”

  Allorha ran her tongue along the angle of his jaw up to his ear like a sultry feline. “Handsome and devious. How did I get so lucky to have a master like you?”

  Despite the false flattery, his erection swelled in the confines of his pants, forcing him to adjust himself. “Stay here until I get back. I shouldn’t be long.”

  He kissed her pouting lips then strode from the room. Outside, the stagnant atmosphere colored the outlying fields of his territory a flat maroon. He climbed up two flights of stairs to the platform at the top of his main building and cast out a mental summons to Tallos, the god and creator of Vampyres. Since Saden was a former Vampyre, he would fall under Tallos’ area of command.

  Several minutes passed, and just as Lucius was tempted to try again, a cool breeze where there should be none swept the loose hairs at his back. He turned to find the god standing behind him dressed in flowing black robes. For the most part, Tallos resembled a Drakonem. Approximately seven feet tall, finely-boned and long-limbed. His white hair was held back by a silk ribbon and his facial structure was nearly androgynous in its elegance.

  The only remarkable differences were his ice-violet, glowing eyes and the seeming translucency of his skin that shone with inner radiance, bearing evidence to the power he held within.

  As a god, Tallos could choose to appear in any form he wished. Although, unlike most of the others, he often chose the form of those he conversed with out of familiarity’s sake.

  Lucius had been hoping to catch the god in a good mood, but Tallos’ expression was reserved and slightly annoyed. “Something bothers you, my lord?”

  “I have a matter on my mind, yes,” Tallos replied impatiently. “Why have you called on me?”

  He decided to get straight to the point, not wanting to test the god’s patience. “I would like to discuss a situation I think is worthy of your attention, if you’ll indulge me.”

  When Tallos gave a slight nod, he went on to give an account of Saden’s predicament, up to and including Mckenzie’s crime of murder. How Lucius had used his slave to spy on Saden then set Saden free to complete his assignment and save the innocents. He left nothing out save for the close involvement of the Rakshasas. That had been an interesting development and one he wanted to continue keeping tabs on without interference from the gods.

  “I’m sure you can agree,” he concluded, “that giving ownership of the girl to me would be a suitable punishment for Serrakus. After all, she would not have committed the crime if Serrakus had let Saden finish his job in the first place.”

  Tallos narrowed his gaze. “And you want me to believe you freed this Drakon out of the goodness of your heart? To see justice done in an unjust realm?”

  He was no fool to deceive a god. If Tallos wanted, he could tear apart Lucius’ mind piece by piece to find the truth, leaving behind only an empty shell. Lucius had seen it done too many times to his brethren during the fall of his kind.

  He chose his next words carefully. “Admittedly, my curiosity to see the outcome drove me to release Saden. Though I’m glad it got the best of me. Many of the Djinn were conspiring with this Gabriel Aikins to an end I can only assume would have brought about another war. As it is, the Djinn have tipped the scales with their acquisition of countless Vampyre offspring. We’ll need to keep a close eye on them.”

  “You may be right,” Tallos said grimly. “But what you’ve told me has made up my mind on another matter regarding the girl. I have already been petitioned on her behalf by a Drakon who wishes to accept her punishment and have her sentence added to his. I think I will grant his request in light of Serrakus’ loss of Saden. It could have been years before the girl was ready to take on assignments and if what you say about the Djinn is true, we’ll need all the trained Drakons we have in the field.”

  Lucius let his jaw drop in shock. This he had not been prepared for. It had to be the doing of Saden’s friend, Blade. Allorha had spoken of their close relationship. How loyal they were to one another. Yet, he hadn’t considered that either one might make such a sacrifice for the other.

  He quickly trie
d to think of something, anything to sway the god’s decision. “I urge you to reconsider. Mckenzie is already nine years of age. I could have her ready—”

  “Desperation does not look good on you, Lucius,” Tallos cut in. “Don’t think I’m not aware that you have an ulterior motive to claiming the girl. Now, is there anything else you have to say before I confront Serrakus?”

  With an inward curse, he shook his head and watched as the god’s corporeal body faded from his sight. He shifted to his dragon form and sped through the skies toward Serrakus’ territory. Once there, he changed back then hurried to Serrakus’ office where he knew Saden was being held. Allorha had snuck in earlier to confirm it. There was a chance he could still convince the ex-Drakon to work with him, though it would be out of guilt rather than leverage.

  After all, it was he who had given Saden a second opportunity to take down his target and rescue the human he’d fallen in love with. For a criminal with morals, that just might be enough.

  As he hastened down the hidden stairwell from the top of the main building, he heard Serrakus shouting repeatedly. From the muffled words, it sounded as if he were interrogating Saden to find out who had released him from the dungeons.

  The noise stopped by the time Lucius entered the room where he found Tallos already standing at its center. The god must have just materialized, for in front of the large fireplace, Serrakus was panting with exertion and covered in a fine sheen of sweat. A bald warder stood a few yards away and on the floor between them was Saden.

  The ex-Drakon lay on his side, dressed in only a pair of jeans and showing several injuries that weren’t all consistent with torture. Dark bands of dried blood covered his throat and abdomen, and his right arm was streaked with blood down to his hand. It appeared Serrakus had merely healed him enough after his battle with Gabriel to keep him conscious. The mass of bruises coloring one entire side of his chest and the smattering of cuts on his face were more recent. Still red and angry in contrast with his ashen pallor.

  “My lord,” Serrakus said in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

  “Answer the question, Serrakus. Why are you punishing this man? He is no longer under your control. I felt the return of his treasure days ago.”

  Serrakus’ eyes widened. Apparently, it had slipped his mind that the gods could sense when a Drakon’s treasure was returned by another. In most cases, however, the gods didn’t take it upon themselves to ensure the Drakon’s freedom. This case was most definitely an exception.

  “He doesn’t deserve his freedom. He violated the laws by returning to the human realm without my permission and taking an innocent life. I felt it while I was on my vacation.”

  Tallos turned his glowing stare to Lucius. “Were you aware of this?”

  “He has no place in this. I demand to know—”

  “Shut up, Serrakus!” Tallos bellowed. “I will get the truth if I have to rip the two of you open to find it.”

  Serrakus fumed quietly, glaring at Lucius with deadly intent.

  Lucius rapidly sifted through the information Allorha had given him, trying to recall who Saden was being accused of killing. There was someone. A man in league with Gabriel. One who had sought to avenge his leader’s murder. Allorha’s recounting of the scene played out in his memory.

  “Rhys,” he blurted out. Then more firmly, “Saden is responsible for the death of a leisonguarde associated with Gabriel. But it was after Mckenzie had given him back his treasure by killing Gabriel. At that moment, he was a free man who killed in defense of an innocent. He cannot be penalized for the crime. Lady Ilsa, the Rei’jin of the house of Avram, has already declared Gabriel guilty of his sins, along with those they know he was involved with. Rhys falls into that category. The Lady can confirm it.”

  “That is no excuse!” Serrakus roared with an edge of panic. “Saden must pay for his crime.”

  Tallos cast a glance at Saden who hadn’t moved from his position on the floor. “I’m inclined to agree with Lucius on this matter, although I will be verifying the truth,” he said in a warning tone more for Lucius’ sake than Gabriel’s.

  Serrakus snarled menacingly at Lucius. “You released him, didn’t you? And my slave. Whatever you’re trying to gain from this, I will stop you.”

  Lucius spread his arms with a devious grin. It wasn’t the first time he and Serrakus had come to odds, and it would doubtfully be the last. “I look forward to your challenge, brother.”

  As soon as the words crossed his lips, Serrakus charged him only to be hurled in the opposite direction by an invisible force. As if a large hand had picked him up and tossed him violently against the obsidian wall at his back.

  “Enough!” Tallos roared. “I grow tired of listening to your petty squabbles. Withdraw your soul from this man. The decision has been made.”

  Reluctantly, Serrakus righted himself and moved to follow the order. When he reached down to touch the ex-Drakon’s chest, however, Saden jerked back with a harsh growl. His eyes were feral and bloodied teeth bared like a caged animal. At that moment, he resembled nothing of the cool, collected man Lucius had spoken with earlier. In fact, from the maddened expression on his face, it was possible he had finally succumbed to insanity.

  Just as Serrakus pulled away, Saden snatched the Drakonem’s hand in a grip that turned his knuckles white. Skin to skin contact so that the transfer could be made.

  Not insane after all, then.

  Saden’s eyes grew distant and when Serrakus wrenched his hand back seconds later, he nearly fell flat on his face.

  “Lucius, take the Drakon and leave us,” Tallos said. “I’ll conclude my meeting with Serrakus in private.”

  Lucius didn’t argue, wanting time of his own alone with Saden. The ex-Drakon stubbornly refused his help, though. Instead, climbing slowly to his feet and staggering out of the room. The bald warder was dismissed as well and took up his station outside of the office at the door.

  Saden didn’t stop until they rounded the corner at the end of the long corridor where he hunched over with one hand on his knee for support and the other clutched to his side. When Lucius moved to heal him, he stiffened and said in a low voice, “Don’t touch me.”

  Lucius withdrew to put space between them.

  Eventually, Saden unfurled to his full height with only a slight grimace. “What just happened?”

  “You’re free now. Your treasure was returned. Surely you felt it at Gabriel’s facility immediately after he was taken down.”

  “How?”

  Lucius frowned. “As I said earlier, Mckenzie’s sacrifice of her innocence was made for you. Your sentence has been revoked.”

  “No,” Saden whispered, then turned on his heel in the direction of Serrakus’ office.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To accept her punishment.”

  Lucius grabbed his arm to stop him. “There’s nothing you can do.”

  Faster than should’ve been possible, Saden whipped around and slammed Lucius against the wall. “I will not let Serrakus have her!”

  “He won’t. Your friend has already petitioned Tallos for her sentence to be added to his. Tallos has agreed to allow it.”

  “Blade?” Saden asked, staggering back.

  Lucius readjusted his clothes. “The girl will remain with her mother. As for you, I have spoken to Lady Ilsa regarding your future. She’s prepared to offer you a position as a korvaute to head the extraction team that will be needed to bring Gabriel’s accomplices to justice.”

  “What do you stand to gain from it?”

  He didn’t bother to couch his words in guile. If he’d learned anything from the events Allorha had reported, it was that Saden was a man who acted on honesty. “Merely an understanding. I would like for you to use two of my best Drakons to assist you in apprehending the criminals. I want them to take credit for the captures, which will give me the authority to punish the criminals. In exchange, my Drakons will be at your disposal and under your command. T
his will be beneficial to you if you are fortuitous enough to catch some of the Djinn involved.”

  Saden immediately shook his head. “No deal. I’m not going to risk the safety of the men I work with just so you can fill your ranks.”

  Damn Blade, Lucius cursed silently. If not for that Drakon’s interference, he could be using Mckenzie as leverage right now instead of having to resort to underhanded manipulation. “I think I’m entitled to some compensation for my efforts. You would still be in Serrakus’ dungeon if it weren’t for me, and your human lover would still be Gabriel’s plaything.”

  When Saden’s face hardened to a cold mask, he changed his approach. “All I ask is that you consider this an opportunity to rebuild your life. You’ve had a Drakonem, a god and a friend intervene on your behalf. Don’t throw this chance away.”

  A tense silence filled the air as Saden studied him until finally saying, “I’ll be in touch.”

  Lucius nodded, satisfied with that answer for now. He opened a rift and watched Saden pass through to the human realm where night reigned over the land. It was almost that time of year again, when he could vacation and indulge in the sins of mankind. But he would ensure Saden’s cooperation first, even if he had to find another source of leverage to get it.

  Then again, that little girl and her mother were still out there. The only question was, just how far would Saden go to protect them?

  * * * *

  Morning light broke the darkness of night outside, seeping into the still dawn and bringing with it a new day. A day for changes that were both daunting and necessary. Dim light spilled in from the open curtains on the window and slowly illuminated the face that peeked above the blankets on the bed. So young and fragile yet full of inner turmoil. The faint creases on Mckenzie’s forehead and dark circles under her eyes belied the stress she held within.

  Daneya watched her daughter toss fitfully from the doorway of the room. It had been three weeks since their ordeal at Gabriel’s facility and Mckenzie still suffered greatly. She stayed awake until exhaustion took over, and despite her repeated claims that she was fine, the haunted veil over her eyes told differently.