Word of the decimation of the Imperial soldiers at the hands of Tyrian Southerwind was not something that could be kept under wraps. Nor could the battle against the undead be kept secret. All who lived in Trinan heard about the goings-on, and many began to wonder just who was truly the enemy.
Those closest to the kingdom, especially, heard the news. T'que's destruction had been earmarked as a casualty of combat, but Donald did not believe it. Not when he took in the facts. Tyrian happened to be fighting the undead and Beelzebub right after the destruction, and he just happened to destroy Imperial soldiers inside the rogue's castle?
Albanion and Blaine were in the throne room when Donald walked in unannounced. He didn't bow as he normally did. Instead, he crossed the room directly and said crisply, "I would like you to explain yourself, sire."
The Emperor lifted a brow. Because of his rank, Donald had many rights that no one else did. Such informality was one of them, but Albanion didn't like the tone of the High General's voice. "Explain what, General?"
"T'que. Intelligence reports that it was destroyed by Lord Beelzebub, the infamous rogue Vampire." He shot a look at Blaine that was icy. "Further information has reported that Tyrian engaged and defeated Beelzebub's undead army and then breached the castle itself with Ewan Grizmar and Vladimir Kane to banish Beelzebub himself. After that fight ended, Imperial soldiers tried to take him captive, but he destroyed them with the second level of his relic." His eyes narrowed. "What were Imperial soldiers doing in Beelzebub's castle?"
Blaine's nails bit into her palms as she curled her hands into fists. That cursed Kaiten Star! He and Ewan must have found the Midnight Moon Sword. And Kane. The Millennium Valley was throwing its weight behind the Rebellion, and that meant they might just lend a unit of soldiers too. A unit of Vampires was not a pleasant thought. It was almost a unit of Pure Relic users. Blaine hated Millennium Vampires with a vengeance. How dare they be given the gift of immortality?
Albanion's mouth opened and closed. "I have no idea," he said honestly. He looked at Blaine. "Do you know anything of this?"
Blaine lightly put a hand on his shoulder and purred, "No doubt they were there to take advantage of the situation."
He subsided. "Yes, of course." He looked at Donald. "Your son did the world a service by removing Beelzebub, but that does not excuse his other actions."
Disgust filled Donald's face. He had had enough. With a stiff bow, he said, "Of course it does not. Thank you for satisfying my curiosity." He turned on his heel and left the throne room. As soon as the doors shut behind him, he viciously grabbed the emblem on his cloak and removed it. He loved the Empire. The only way to save it was to end it. If the people wanted something new, as a General of the Empire, it was his duty to ensure it.
He had taken only a handful of steps down the hall when Blaine seemed to suddenly appear in front of him. Malevolence poured off her in waves, and her beautiful face no longer looked so appealing. Hatred glistened amid madness inside her eyes. "Move aside, monster," he told her. "Or I will cut you down."
She gave a bark of laughter. "I'm shaking in my boots, Southerwind. You can't even comprehend my power." Her hand lashed out and grabbed his neck. Power blasted from her fingers and into his body in a slimy and evil wave. "If you leave the castle grounds by other than my command," she snarled, "you will die instantly. And your life energy will be mine for the taking. There is much life in you, General. You were chosen well to be the father of the first Kaiten Star. Your energy might just give me the power to destroy him. Are we clear?"
Impotent fury welled inside him. "We are clear, Blaine." She released him and he pressed a hand to his throat. He could still feel her slimy touch, but he would be damned if he let her win.
She smirked as he stalked down the hall. A sound caught her attention and she moved swiftly to intercept the figure attempting to sneak away. "Lady Annareal," she purred. "What a pleasure. I've been intending to speak with you."
Annareal stared at her, her heart pounding hard. "What did you do to my husband?"
"Ensured his compliance. And you would do best not to cross me, bitch." Blaine's eyes narrowed sharply. "I would be happy to administer Kyle Raitels' justice for him."
Annareal fled down the hallway as fast as she could. Blaine was a monster. The Empire was full of monsters posing as feeling beings. The Imperial Army had abandoned a village to a massacre. Life as everyone knew it was crumbling to the ground, and Annareal had helped it happen. Kyle Raitels might hate her, but not more than she hated herself.
She took a little breath and felt calmness descend. There was only one thing to do. Only one thing she could do to make amends. It was time to give back a life in exchange for the life she had taken.
She went out back to the gardens and over to a small flowerbed. There, sitting in the middle, was a little girl with a tiny pair of Faerie wings on her back. She was a ward of the Empire and had been since she was a baby. At six, she was frighteningly smart and serious. Annareal had always thought she reminded her of Tyrian as a child and that was why she loved her. "Raven," she said softly as she knelt beside the girl. "I need to talk to you about something."
Blaine didn't spare a thought for Annareal or Donald as she stalked toward her tower. The General would die soon enough, either at her hand or Tyrian's, and when he died, his life energy would be hers to control. And Albanion! She hissed softly under her breath. She was going to rip out what little spine he had. Useful as he may be, he was a pathetic weakling.
She had shut the door behind her when she felt a sudden sensation of power. She turned sharply and her eyes narrowed. Standing beside a window was a man. He was tall and powerful, golden haired and handsome. Beautiful, in fact, was a more apt term, though his eyes looked cold and cruel.
He wore a Pure Relic.
She bared her teeth. "Get out of my tower, whoever you are."
"Don't be so hasty," he said calmly. "I might just be able to help you, Lady Blaine. I believe we might just have similar goals." He offered a courtly bow. "Do allow me the time to at least explain myself."
Intrigued despite herself, she studied him. "Talk."
A slow smile touched his lips but did not warm his eyes. "Have you heard of the Summarians? They've left interesting relics around the world, and I might have the key to finding them."
Her interest was indeed caught. She remembered the Summarian race quite well. They had been beloved to Tanelia and so Blaine had hated them. 'Blessed by the gods.' What rubbish. But still . . . they had been powerful. Very powerful. She sat down on the opposing window ledge. "You have my attention."
©Stacy J. Garrett. Do not reprint or redistribute without permission.
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