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Footsteps approached us.
The line of tall people holding the flames separated.
A tall man with sun-kissed white skin and luminous blue eyes strode over. He had wavy dirty blond hair, tied up in a topknot and secured by leather straps.
A cloak made from wolf hair hung on his shoulders.
His loin cloth extended to his knees and possessed thicker fur than the others.
These two must be the leaders of their tribes. Or perhaps they’re the tribes’ representatives.
The man’s voice came out as a thunderous rumble. “Why did you come, blood mage?”
“I’ve come to ask for help.”
“Yet you don’t bow?” He frowned. “You disrespect us by standing in front of us like our equals.”
Oh no.
I swallowed. “I don’t know your customs.”
The woman tilted her head to the side. “You’re one of us, but you don’t know our way?”
“She’s not one of us,” the man hissed. “She’s one of the vampires’ whores.”
“No.” I shook my head. “That is not true.”
He stepped closer. “Are you not the Horned King’s blood whore?”
“No.” I gritted my teeth. “I’m the Horned King’s queen.”
Whispering began among the line of mages.
Meanwhile, the black woman with blue hair smiled, and the man scowled.
I didn’t know if I’d gained friends or enemies just by my answer, but I refused to lie to either of them.
“And do you think you and your...Horned King will trample through our land, raping our women of their blood, and seizing our worth?” The man spat on the ground in front of me. “You’ll die tonight if you try it.”
I shook my head again. “We’re not interested in conquering mage territory.”
The woman raised her eyebrows. “Then what are you interested in?”
“Killing the Quiet King.”
They both stepped back in shock and exchanged curious looks with each other.
I extended my arms out to the side and did a small turn. “Do you see my markings?”
“You have returned.” The woman continued to smile, but I wasn’t sure yet if that was a good sign. “Those words are ones that our people don’t read any more.”
“They’re written by Ambi and Ressi—”
“Do not place our goddess next to the rapist god!” the man yelled.
A circle of fire surrounded me and rose two feet in the air.
I had no doubt that the man had made the fire.
How powerful is he?
My skin warmed from the flames.
I trembled, but stood my ground.
Just like the vampires, I figured fear would only make the mage more excited verses compassionate for my feelings.
I am so glad I made sure Xander was away. He would have killed this man.
Shivering, I kept my voice calm. “I died.”
The woman touched the man’s hand as if to calm him. “Go ahead, blood mage.”
I swallowed. “After I died, my spirit flew into the dark sky. Stars glittered around me. Ambi and Ressi stood next to each other, holding hands.”
The woman shrieked, “You lie!”
The ground under my feet quaked.
I stumbled back.
The flames burned my ankles. I cried out and jumped over the circle of fire.
Some of the flames followed.
I rushed away.
The ground in front of me opened up with a crack.
A hole formed.
I almost fell in and jumped back, barely avoiding the blaze behind me.
I was trapped now between a hole and fire.
Ambi. Ressi. Help me. Please.
“I’m not lying! Please believe me!” Trembling, I slowly turned around to face them. “They floated in front of me and they were together. Ressi gave me a message to give to you.”
“You come to us as a blood mage with no knowledge of our customs looking like one of the Returned.” The woman stomped my way. Her beaded gown slipped along the ground. Her curly blue hair fluttered around her. “You wear words and symbols we do not understand. You lay with a vampire that thinks he’s a king. Why should we believe you?”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Make them believe, Ambi had said.
How? How do I get them to believe me?
I held my hands out. “I don’t know what else I can tell you. I saw them when I died. They told me to come to you, to unite my kings and the mages. That if we were all joined together then the Quiet King would fall.”
“And when the Quiet King is dead, who shall take his place?” she asked.
“I do not know. My king is not interested in castles and land.”
Her face held a dubious look. “What does he desire?”
“Me.”
“You said that Ambi said to unite your kings.” The man pointed to the metal wagons a mile away. “Are there more than one king over there?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “They are the Quiet King’s brother and son. They are both fully grown kings and willing to help you kill the Quiet King.”
“Help us?” She laughed. “I believe we would be helping you.”
“You would.” I considered something and just went with it. “But tell me, do you believe that your tribes can kill the Quiet King by yourselves? Surely, you long for him to be dead. He’s brought war and strife to the entire planet and although you’ve managed to hold your territory together, soon one day in the future, you’ll lose and he’ll step on this land and take over.”
