“Colonel Conrad Viridian, and Captain Asher Rawlings, who represent the Caledonian infantry and special forces for the North, respectively.”
Colonel Viridian was a stockier build than his superiors, but no less intimidating for his Elite status, his additional presence in the room making it all the harder for me to draw breath. But he was not the one whose pleasant smile and polite nod made the cesspit in my chest flutter and kick.
It was him.
Blood to Blood.
Hewas the one who had me sweating, unable to move for the adrenaline pumping through my veins. And there, about his neck, was a length of silver chain disappearing beneath a shirt rumpled bymy fingers.
My pendant.
I took a step, teeth squealing against each other. If I could just… touch him, if I could run my hands over that tanned skin, his ki would fill me as it had in the alley. Impure Caledonian filth, yes, but…
My mouth watered, and I took another step. I could gorge on his ki for an eternity and never exhaust him. I could inflict endless misery, make him beg forgiveness. He’d weep for relief, andstill,I wouldn’t drink him dry.
A dull jerk in my left shoulder stopped me short, and with lips curled back, I spun.
The High Priestess’ knuckles were white upon my forearm, though her face held no hint of the effort she expended. No signs of the concern lacing her ki as she doused the fire burning beneath my skin,orthat she recognized the man from the alley I’d victimized.
As for Captain Asher Rawlings? He hadn’t even bothered to acknowledge me as he took his seat. And me, ready to toss everything I’d ever known to the wind.
Scowling, I stuffed my hands in my pockets—and found a warm iron topped with Glaith.
His ring.
Chapter 6
Scarcely avoiding a startled shriek, I jerked my hand free of that poisoned Glaith, instead turning to watch the prime minister stand. Trembling with cold sweat.
“It’s wonderful to play host to such an illustrious group, and welcome,” the prime minister said. “Welcome all. I hope your stay in our humble city finds all of your needs met. Now, allow me the honor of introducing Sasha Calypsil, esteemed Trila-Glís and High Priestess of the Tritan faith.”
Inclining her head, the High Priestess remained seated as the prime minister continued to ramble off the names and titles of the men and women in the Tritan Senate. She appeared unaware of the treasure I’d stumbled across, or indeed that the man sitting across the table from her was the very man she’d seen as victim to my loss of control. But when Elite ki spiked through my mind, probing all the dark unseen corners with brisk efficiency, I lost interest in the sonorous voice of the prime minister. Forgot the coming storm that was my father’s retribution as my attention glided toward the captain once more.
Fingers poking through the buttons of his shirt, he traced my pendant out of sight. One dark brow raised in challenge. Pulling at my ki from across the table… Tasting. Taking no more than a tiny sip, yet there all the same. Such a thing I hadn’t thought possible. Unless…
The Glaith. My pendant was brimming with years worth ofmyki, now in the hands of an impossible Elite with power and arrogance enough to try such a reckless maneuver beneath the very nose of the High Priestess.
I almost smiled, letting my fingers inch toward my pocket. In spite of the danger, or because of it, I answered his challenge, for he was not the only one capable of such things.
His ring held heat, warming the tip of my index finger with unseen presence of stored ki. The history of a life lived in hiding—familiar and alien all at once. And worst of all, completely open to no other but me. A secret bridge built for two.
Smirking, he lured me back, letting me slide behind that iron-clad control that had kept him safe from the High Priestess’ senses in the alley. Letting me taste what no other knew was real or possible. Letting me see everything that he was, without so much as a blink or blush. No remorse. Not a moment of regret for all the trouble he’dpushedme into, the dirty, cheating parasite that he was.
I seized the ring, pressing the Glaith into the heart of my palm—and flung his ki, everything he offered asequal,back in his stupid, handsome face.
The captain lurched, inky eyes going wide, and for the space of a dozen heartbeats, he stared at me, face void of all expression.
And then he smiled, raising a single finger to his lips.
He needn’t have worried. I’d keep his secret, though he hadn’t done the same for me. Oh yes… That impossible Elite wasmineto play with.
“With introductions out of the way,” the prime minister said, spreading his hands in welcome, “shall we begin?”
General Tilcot stood, smiling down at my country-folk, though his eyes lingered on the High Priestess. “Thank you for the most hospitable welcome, Lords and Ladies of Tritan. To be blunt, we come seeking an alliance. We seek the union of the two greatest nations of our time in a marriage of trade and good faith. Our people are both of the Blood, and though we sit on opposing sides, it is the same coin. Priestesses keep whatweuse. Store what Elites expel.” He inclined his head, a lock of thick, dark hair shifting across his brow as his gaze swept over the High Priestess. “Yet Caledonia’s history is steeped in Elite blood. In violence. For generations, Elites were locked away, hidden from the gentry in dank, filthy cages where we could not pose a threat to the populace. Little more than savages destined to die young. Berserkers.”
Straightening, he unbuttoned his left sleeve, and continued. “Our gifts are not of peace and healing, as that of your Priestesses, but of war. Of death. A single Elite, ki-mad with bloodlust, can wipe out an entire enemy battalion in moments.” He paused then, seeming to enjoy the shocked murmur rippling through the Tritan Senate, rolling his sleeve back to reveal the glitter of tarnished gold set against his skin. “But such power comes with the highest price. An attack of this magnitude has, without exception, always come at the cost of Elite life. Until now.”
“Glaith, I presume,” the High Priestess drawled, tapping out a lazy, left-handed rhythm on the polished tabletop, containing me with the other.
