“I never would have thought so,” Azure explained.“But now, with this new decree… Why would Visata match certain females with certain males?There has to be a purpose.”
“Whatever the purpose, I fear your efforts will be futile.”
Azure hissed.“Your fears are not my concern.I’m surrounded by those who live in fear.No one can see the opportunity in front of us.If we can use theanimiwe already have to create new ones in a matter of hours, then we will fashion our own mates.No more relying on fate, randomly assigned markings, or time.”
Cold dread trickled down Otto’s spine.They were going to sacrifice innocent humans to work some dark magic?And Katy… She was in terrible danger here if Azure found out that she was the mate of the last dire wolf in existence.“No, no, no,” he muttered under his breath.
He nearly jumped out of his skin when a hand clamped down on his shoulder from behind.Otto whirled, heart in his throat, to find Slick looming over him.
The serpent shifter put a finger to his lips, then jerked his head down the hall.Otto quickly followed, nerves rattled.Had Slick heard?Would he tell the king?It was often hard for Otto to read the other members of the Kingdom of Venom.They all feared Azure.But fear didn’t always equal loyalty.And the snakes were notoriously power-hungry.They would betray anyone if they thought it would increase their own position.
Once they were a safe distance away, Slick spoke low.“You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Otto.”
Otto stood wide-eyed, his gaze bouncing around the hall anxiously.“I say not.Buts bads is happening.You believe me.I love my people.I have served Visata.”His heart pounded painfully in his chest as he stared up at the snake beastwalker.
Slick studied him a moment before nodding.“You overheard something you shouldn’t have.Don’t worry.Your secret is safe with me.I don’t always agree with how Azure operates.”He leaned down, his expression intense.“But be careful, Otto.Curiosity kills far more than just cats around here.”
“What you do?”
“Nothing.”Slick shrugged.“Keep my nose down and mind my business.That’s how you stay alive in KOV.You know that.”
With that ominous warning, Slick slithered off down the corridor.Otto sagged back against the wall, heart still racing.When the dire wolf had told him to figure out why Azure wanted the newly markedanimi, he hadn’t mentioned that Azure had a harem of human women on standby for thoseanimi.Otto wouldn’t have guessed in a million years that Azure was using them to fuel some sort of dark magic.This was worse than he could have imagined.He had to warn Katy and Gage, but doing so put them all at tremendous risk.What was he to do?
Otto sank down to the floor, burying his scaly face in his hands.He wished he could speak with Visata directly.Surely the Creator would guide him if he asked.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, Otto bowed his head.“Please Visata, hear me.Tell me what I do,” he whispered desperately as he slipped into the language of his people.“Show me how to help my friends without putting them, or others, in more danger.If I do this, I will be betraying my king.”The words hurt because he took betrayal seriously.But what Azure was doing was also a form of betrayal.He was the leader of their kingdom.He had been placed in a position of power by their Creator, and yet, instead of protecting them, he’d abused his power and manipulated their trust.Taking human women against their will, telling his subjects that they wanted to be chosen as mates for KOV males… Azure had lied to them all.
The silence stretched on.Gradually, though, a feeling of calm settled over Otto’s spirit.
“Otto.”A deep voice filled his mind.“The brave soldier with a tender heart.”
“Visata,” Otto said reverently, his head still bowed and his eyes closed.The world around him seemed to slip away.
“You have called out to me, and I have answered,” the Creator said.“You can trust the dire wolf, Gage.He is my warrior.Tell Katy of the Serpent King’s plans.Be brave.I am with you.”
“Bad things happen,” Otto whispered.
“I will never leave you nor forsake you in the midst of those bad things.In the dark, I am the light making your path known.In the cold, I am the fire providing your warmth.I am the arrow that strikes your enemy down.I am your shelter from the storm.I am Visata, your Creator, Otto.I will not let your foot slip from the path I have set you on.Go.Now.”
Urgency rose in Otto’s chest.His eyes opened, and he jumped to his feet.He turned right and ran.As he rounded the corner, he heard the door open, and Azure’s voice became clearer.The King had just exited the room.Almost gots me.Otto raced away.
He hurried through the mansion’s winding corridors, moving with purpose.The Creator’s command burned like a beacon within him, fueling his need to warn Katy and get her safe.He trusted Visata, and knew that the dire wolf had been true to his word.The wolf was a warrior for their Creator.He would know what to do once Otto told him what Azure was up to.
Skittering around a corner, Otto nearly plowed into a pair of legs.He looked up to find Myron looming over him, his serpentine eyes narrowed.
“Where are you off to in such a hurry, Ot?”
Thinking fast, Otto stammered, “J-just fetching treats for the wolf mistress.King Azure wishes her kept content.”
Myron stared him down a moment longer before stepping aside.“See that you do.We don’t need her causing trouble.”
Otto dipped his chin submissively and scurried on.He breathed a soft prayer of thanks to Visata.Myron had never been one to bother Otto.He was typically a very laid-back member of Azure’s warriors.But at the moment, the small lizard felt like he had a huge flashing arrow over his head with the words “I know what’s going on!”flashing in neon lights, dogging him with every step.
He was close now.
Reaching the media room door, Otto practically jumped up the wall to the knob.He turned it, jerking the door open as hard as his little arm could, and leaped inside.When it clicked, he released an enormous sigh and fell to the floor.
Katy was sprawled across a couple of seats.Instead of looking up at his arrival, she was glaring rather angrily at his cell phone.His eyes widened as he realized Gage had probably sent him a text, and Otto hadn’t answered.Had Katy responded?“Oh dears,” Otto muttered as he considered the many ways that texting conversation might have gone.
