Nothing about Makt reminds her of Calder.
“Consider, for a moment, what the halvgud of strength and wisdom could produce if introduced to theseidrof power. My sons used to contemplate such breeding centuries ago. If only Briny and Maeve had ever allowed such a union.”
She shakes her head, backing away as he stalks toward her. “I will never join you.”
His laugh fills the space. “I've heard that too often,but it all ends the same. And I’m not even asking you to spread your legs. Though I wouldn’t say no to that either.”
Bile fills her mouth as the memory of Crystal’s words paints the broader image of him and his poor daughters.
“Calder and I will never agree to be your vessel!”
Makt backs her against the door. His ethereal hand swipes through her chest, leaving her shivering. “You underestimate the power of fear. I can take the body of the guard outside your mother’s prison and then take her until she rips in half. You would agree to be my vessel then. To save her the fate of my axe hacking her to pieces.”
“You are a monster!”
“I know what motivates mortals! You forget, child, there are several halvguds I can play with, and almost all of them are now in Skalor. Don’t you think I can wrench a 'yes' from your beastly Father? I don’t need to read runes to know he would die before another man touches hislittle Queen.” He mocks her father’s diminutive name for her mother. “Don’t think the Abyss doesn’t have legions of men who wouldn’t enjoy playing with Avina Bloodstone.”
“Leave her out of this!”
He barks a laugh. “Avina is the perfect tool. But I don’t wish to possess your body or your mother’s. I want the one I created to escape this unholy prison where I have been wrongfully caged! The one destined for my essence. I want my son!”
“He will never agree!”
This time, Makt vanishes through the door. She leans her head against the wood grain, struggling to catch her breath, when the door opens against her back.
The guard enters, grasps her neck, and tosses her onto the cot. He straddles her waist before she can rise and pins her arms to the straw-covered board.
“I think he will. His weakness is his affection for you, love. Know this: I will defile you, Aura, and he will do anything to save your soul.”
“He knows better. He must save Skalor from you!”
The guard licks her cheek, leaving her retching. “I will barely haveto touch you for him to become my vessel. He will come for you, and that will be the end.”
Makt releases her, traipsing out the door and slamming it behind him.
Aura leaps to her feet, watching him leave with a strange sense of peace as his words mingle with Isabel’s.
To make equal upon a field of sunless roses, a willing sacrifice must be taken.
Suddenly, the prophecy fully forms in Aura’s mind. Each part fits together like a puzzle, and she understands she has two parts to play to save Skalor. Melting the Iss Drengr’s heart and one more.
I am the willing sacrifice.
43
CALDER
October 28th, Year 21, 10th Era
Nightwall Keep, Skalor
The team gathers in the foothills of the Core Mountain range and within sight of Nightwall Keep.
Before leaving Coldheart Keep, Calder debriefed everyone involved in the mission.
Almost everyone seems to agree with his directive.
With fierce resolve, Thora rolls up Argnier’s internal map to the Keep, stuffing it into her belt. While he tasked Gunni with ruling Kadrgataness in his stead, Thora would act as his true Second on this quest.
