Mine was not the power sullied by the Empire.
Whisper soft, the vines caressed the exposed skin of the Trila-Glís. Tempting.
How many times had her stolen power been used to kill for the Empire? How manymorelives would be lost if I did nothing about it?
Still smirking, the captain’s senses whipped out, tugging at the link left behind my ribs, making the mark on my right middle finger itch and burn.
He thought he was winning, did he? With a flick of my wrist, I blended my energy with the tree beneath my feet and everything beyond, taking Kas’ ki with me. Linking us to the network of life waiting for my command and seizing every animal within reach. I spread myself too thin as I worked to disguise us from the keen obsidian gaze of the only man who could expose me.
The forest stilled, waiting.
I could handle two Elites, even ifhewas one of them. Two Elites with the power of a Trila-Glís, however, was another matter. And one I could not allow to continue.
The darkness within flexed, stretching shadowed feathers toward the woman kneeling in the dirt. What would it be like to taste a Trila-Glís? To take her ki and turn it upon the Empire who dared to use it…
Mouth watering, I coiled about her ankles, winding deeper still. Pulling her ki through the vines—and choked on tainted flames. Gone, was the clean, refreshing breeze of memory. She was destroyed. An empty husk, dead in all but name.
With a gasp, the High Priestess pushed me back, throwing her power at my feet—and I lapped it up.
“Stop that at once,” the general snarled, striking the High Priestess with the back of his hand, splitting the skin of her lower lip.
In turn, Kas howled at the abuse, pacing the length of her branch, murder gleaming in her beautiful gray eyes.
“I-I have done nothing, sir,” the High Priestess stammered, pressing a trembling hand to split lip.
“Do you think I cannot see your lie?” the general said, wrapping a meaty hand in silver hair. Wrenching her head back. “You are mine. Your power is mine, Sasha.”
No. It wasn’t, for I alone supped at the dead Goddess’ table. Drunk on her finest wine while the peasants argued beneath me.
“I-I tried only to frighten that wild thing off, sir. I could not bear to see the beast slain for its foolishness.”
At this, the captain broke the ranks, taking a step toward the forest. A frown pinching the space between his brows as he searched for me. Trying to use our link to draw me out.
Behind him, the Trila-Glís wilted.
Only a little more…
Kas yowled at the very top of her lungs, hissing and spitting as she crouched, pale gray eyes fixed upon the captain’s handsome, doomed face.
“We should get back in the coach,” Jasper whispered, sweat beading along his hairline as he unwound a cruel braided whip. “You don’t want to know what happens next.”
Weapon trained over the captain’s shoulder, Marco took aim at mere shadows. “Give the command, Captain.”
Standing back, the general drew his weapon, lips pressed in a tight line. “Do you see anything, Rawlings?”
The captain didn’t respond, instead taking another step. Breaching the sanctity of the wood.
Without my command, Kas reacted. Leaping from her perch, she landed heavy on her forepaws in the shadows. Shoulders rolling, she stalked toward the Elites, silent. Ears flat. Paws tucked beneath her bulk.
Heart in my throat, I broke from my task of keeping us hidden, trying to reel her in before it was too late. But she would not be distracted. After all, this washerterritory.
“What is it?” the general asked, raising his weapon in her direction.
Unable to comprehend the danger, Kas rumbled deep in her chest—a final warning for those keen enough to listen.
“What are you waiting for?” Jasper asked, voice shaking. “Kill it! Kill it before it gets too close!”
The captain glanced over his shoulder, exposing his neck to the apex predator lurking in the gloom.
