Oye flushed. The last time there was a surprise for her; she’d ended up in bed for a week barely able to walk. She fully ignored the tingle of excitement at the idea of ending up in the same condition once more.
“If you’re done,” Raijin cut in, catching their attention, “I’m going to return Sabina to her room, and once everything is taken care of here. I’ll meet you guys later this evening to talk about the plan.”
“What plan?” Oye asked, looking from Raijin’s retreating back to her fiancé who feigned ignorance. She frowned looking at Lanias. “What plan are they talking about?”
“Just something,” Lanias said as she clasped Alek’s hand firmly. “Come, I’m tired from all the excitement.”
“Wait, don’t you dare leave—Lanias,” Oye called out to her, but it was too late the wily Witch had disappeared already.
THE VEIL
True ones
Icarus stared at the building in the distance. From what Zaharis had explained, the city below was the home to Beings who were descendants of the first Surrem. Those who were banished here.
The city was teaming with the stained blood of their people. She wished that the first flood would have washed them all away. She would not have been forced to inhabit the same space as them. Only she couldn’t leave until she’d killed those half-breeds who were able to use that powerful and volatile blood.
“The gate keeper is most likely being protected by the Jackals,” Zaharis spoke from where he sat on the edge of the building. His eyes narrowed on The Council building in the distance. “If she was provided their protection, it will be difficult to get her alone.”
“Pfft, I will go there and gladly peel the skin from her worthless body,” Slo said, his missing hand had not grown back. His manic eyes were filled with murder. “And that leach who dared to harm me.”
“Your eagerness is what harmed you,” Lrik said, from where he stood a few feet away. His glow was different, his was green. “As Father told us many times, underestimate them and you will suffer mightily for it.”
Slo jumped to his feet, as if to lunge at him. “Lrik, you sup on the food of the highest. You know nothing of true battle. I dare you to speak to me once more with that tone.”
A large figure jumped between he and Lrik, he glared at the person. This person’s glow was blue. “Move, Qin.”
“The cleansing.” Icarus’ words caused Slo and the others to grow tense. “We’ve our duty, if the gate key will not show herselfthen it would only be right to start in another place.” She turned from The Council building and faced them. “As Zaharis said, these are the descendants of the previous Fallen. Their existence is a sin against our laws. If they protect her, then we will simply destroy them. There is no loss for us.”
Zaharis grinned as the others bowed their heads exhibiting deference to Icarus’ position of Command. He could finally taste the succession of his plans. The chaos his brother had stopped him from creating, the war of fire and death he’d wished to see spread across the land would come.
The fools didn’t even know they were helping him. He eyed Icarus; she would be the key to his return to his glory.
If he could laugh, he would, instead he followed the others into the black portals they created.
He would enjoy the cries of a few Beings, and once a chance presented itself, he’d get his hands on that Witch. He was sure she wasn’t hiding, no, those like this Madame didn’t hide. They waited and calculated a chance to win.
The only thing she wouldn’t count on was him, after all he’d noticed she didn’t recognize him. She wouldn’t be suspicious of him. He would first verify her location and then he’d wait for an opportunity when she would be alone and grab her. Then he’d force her to open the gate. Finally! It would swallow the world and all other planes in flames.
Nothing would please him more than using his own brother’s daughter to end the world he sought to protect.
Madame Lanias
LANIAS
Lanias stood near the window looking down at the city. The monsters below walked by unaware of her observing eyes. She’d spent much of her life living like them, always moving forward. The time she’d spent looking up to see if there was anything else to life, non-existent.
She wondered if she had lived a life worth living. Every name she’d dawned had been with a purpose and it felt like with every new step forward she was losing connection to her past titles. The idea of normal had never once been something she’d desired.
The desire for family, or even relationships in the future, had been only a reference to making sure those she cared for had one. Other than that, she’d been focused on doing her best to protect them.
“Are you ready?”
Alek asked her as he brought over a cup of coffee and held it out to her. Looking from the cup to his inquiring gaze, she took the cup. “You know I think I’ll make you a good wife.”
He laughed, sipping from his cup. His eyes holding amusement, “We shall see who’s the better spouse.”
“Challenge accepted,” Lanias said drinking her coffee. “I finally told Oye the truth about my parents. I don’t know if Sabina heard everything, but she didn’t say anything.”
