Page 69 of Forged in Chaos
She gripped her reins tighter.Don’t even think about it. I’m in control today.
Laughter echoed in her mind.Vessel. We shall see how much power you hold over us.
Two Ruzgorn rode up on proud stallions, Vozarian steel strapped across their muscled backs and secured at their waists. Their features were mostly hidden by strips of red cloth.
“You’re in Ruzgorn territory,” the one with a scar down his left eye said in a gruff tone.
“My uncle summoned me. Gadreel Delemor.”
The Ruzgorn exchanged a look. “Right.”
Sparks of Chaos arched from Tenah’s fingertips. “Not a joke.”
The scarred one rolled a beastly shoulder. “I don’t know where you got your information from, but we ride in honor of Warlord Hakkan.”
Brows furrowing, Tenah took in their waving banners. A sleek, gray hawk outline where she expected a black scorpion. She knew there was more than one Ruzgorn camp, but why would her uncle lure her here?
Unless Gadreel had never planned on giving uphisarmy. She tightened her grip on the reins. How she tired of having her strings pulled by shadows who believed themselves superior. What, did Gadreel think she would do his dirty work for him? Take out a few warlords he believed below him? Or did he expect her to meet her doom here?
“Fine. I’m here to challenge Hakkan to blood rite,” she said sharply.
Ruzgorn horses huffed and stamped the ground, unaccustomed to settling in one spot for this long with their riders. Survival in these unclaimed lands required constant movement, pillaging, and hunting.
Vesara drew her horse closer to Tenah as they were motioned into camp. “You never mentioned this blood rite to me,” she whispered.
Tenah licked her chapped lips. “It’s a sacred fight. The rules are binding. Whoever wins acquires the status and power of the slain. There. Now I mentioned it.”
Expression stern, Vesara grabbed her arm. “There can only be one outcome. I will not lose another friend, nor can I allow a Ruzgorn warlord to be infused with your power.”
Tenah gave a slight nod. She hadn’t considered that fact because she wasn’t going to lose. More than her need for an army, she would prove that she had the strength to look a shadow in the eye while she dissolved them with Chaos. Dark magic would be necessary to win, but Chaos would not ultimately control her. She would not bow to it.
Ruzgorn dismounted at the cathedral doors. Tenah followed them inside. Rows of crude, wooden benches were angled toward a central dais. Acrid magic had seeped into the very foundation of this ancient place of worship. She would have loved to pick it apart and discover its secrets.
Instead, she cut through the benches to where a Ruzgorn male dined at a small, wooden table positioned under a stained-glass window. He was much younger than Tenah had expected. Two decades at most, with a lean build and smooth, brown skin. His jet black hair was pulled high atop his head, restrained by a band of gold.
The Ruzgorn warlord’s ocher eyes flicked to Vesara, and Tenah’s hands curled into fists. All right, so she didn’t look like a fighter. Regardless, it was infuriating to be discredited, especially by a male with such a pompous air about him.
“Are you the head of this shitshow?” Vesara asked.
The warlord continued picking apart his leg of roasted meat. The lack of respect propelled Tenah close enough to smell the herbs on his meal and the stale note of his drink.
“I called for blood rite,” she said forcefully.
Hakkan took his time wiping each greasy finger on a cloth napkin then leaned back in the chair, satisfied with his meal and his piss-poor attitude.
Anger and nerves clawed at Tenah. She looked at Vesara. Was it not as simple as requesting a fight?
In the span of a breath, the assassin was on the warlord. One boot pinned the back of his fallen chair to the floor as she loomed over him, a dagger resting against his throat.
“Now will you show respect?” Vesara’s voice was as smooth as silk, and her blade drew a thin line of blood.
Hakkan nudged her hand away, his features void of emotion. “I’ve heard tales of you. The Embassy’s star child.Kala Sut’hik. Who sent you here, your gluttonous king or my backstabbing father?”
Caught off guard by his question, Vesara stepped away and sheathed her knife. Tenah squatted next to Hakkan. He made no move to stand up. Up close, he had a dusting of freckles and in the sunlight, sure enough—a red, fiery glint to his peculiar eyes.
Tenah frowned. “You’re Gadreel’s child.”
“By blood only,” he replied with disgust, rolling away from her and up onto his feet in a graceful move. “You are?”