AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His wings flapped short, powerful bursts as he took bounding flight over the North Sea’s dark turbulent waters. He spied the ship. The red and black flag of House Dega hung high on the ship’s mast, whipping in the wind.
This had definitely been planned.
Indecision warred within, his desire to board the ship almost as strong as the gales of wind battering his feathers. But Demos had learned the hard lessons of patience and discipline, having mastered them ages ago. He knew his head had to lead, and so he returned to the Mor.
The decision was the second hardest thing he’d ever had to do; the first being letting Sierra go that morning in the forest on the way to Syrus Crossin. He could still hear the echo of the clasp of the osnat he had replaced around her tender neck, sealing her fate as the Ongahri’s bride and saying goodbye to the woman who, for a short time, had been his in both body and soul.
He glided over the manse’s courtyard. Ongahri guards and soldiers were everywhere. He spotted the captain walking to the stables. Demos found a safe spot to shift and met up with Fadon, who stood alone, watching the grooms ready the horses.
“Captain Trajan,” Demos said.
Fadon turned. “Servant.”
“I believe your docks and any boats you have may have been compromised, Captain. I think it would be wise to leave the mountain, ride to the nearest port, and purchase a vessel.”
Fadon’s eyes widened. “What makes you say that? Wait, you think Lucius sabotaged our docks?”
Demos nodded and stepped closer, leaving only inches between them. “You’ve seen Sierra, Captain. You know her worth. If you were Lucius, head of an Ongahri faction with a possible population of two hundred or more, who denounces his own queen and disrespects your ways, what would you do if you had an unclaimed omega close at hand?”
Fadon growled. After a moment, he looked away, his eyes on the stables before turning back to the Servant. “I know you love her. Don’t deny it. For that, I trust you, Servant. See to it that you get the Agreement to Zion. His altering will be impeccable. The queen will deal with the Owl, and you and I, and my men, will go get the omega. On the way, you will explain your part in all this.” His dark eyes glistened with danger. “Lucius has declared war on House Trajan. As well, it seems, as the Owl. Are you willing to entangle yourself with this?”
Demos thought of what the elementals had told him, back months ago, and the mysterious note from “Fadon.” He thought of the words of the Ongahri’s Prophecy of Delphos the Queen Alpha had spoken. Lastly, he thought of Sierra, vulnerable and surrounded by dark foes, one of whom was his brother.
“I am. I will get the scroll to your queen. Now, when do we leave?”
