Page 28 of Fated to the Damned

“I have heard much about you, Elder. Thank you for coming.”

Raziel enters the room behind me with a calm, reserved dignity, inclining his head politely to me. His mate practically bounces at his side, waving eagerly.

"Hello! It's so nice to meet everyone! I'm Selene," she chirps, her bubbly nature seeming to fill the room.

Soren stalks in silently, giving me a nod as he passes, but keeping his mate tucked in close to his side.

“I’m Evelyn,” she says, practically having to force Soren to a stop. “And this is Soren.”

Soren's stern face softens as he gazes down at Evelyn, squeezing her hand reassuringly. She offers him a hint of a smile in return.

I follow the pair inside, ready to get started. As we sit, Jessa engages Selene and Evelyn in cheerful small talk. Their guard seems to lower as she draws them out with friendly questions and compliments.

I try to ignore Jessa's radiant smile as she and Selene chatter. But my gaze keeps drifting back to her, a strange knot forming in my chest. Get control of yourself, I scowl internally.

"So are we all just going to sit around gossiping?" Soren suddenly rumbles impatiently. "We have urgent matters to discuss."

This brings the women to a stop – and earns him a scolding glance from Evelyn. Selene leans into Raziel, giggling beneath her breath.

Almost instinctively, Jessa's eyes sweep to meet mine for a brief moment before I force myself to look away. Akeldama knows that I’m already having a hard enough time managing this base. I don’t need to be constantly distracted, too.

But it is much too difficult when she is right there.

Needing to focus, I steer the conversation to the urgent matter at hand – preparing for the imminent war.

"Many of our warriors have grown undisciplined and soft without proper guidance," I say gravely. "I’ve been sent to restore order before the recklessness here exposes us all."

Raziel nods. "I’m sure that with more and more humans disappearing from the city, they are growing suspicious. The last thing we need is some fledglings to grow bored and get too close before we are ready."

"We need them to listen to command," adds Soren. "Reignite the flames of honor and discipline within their hearts."

Selene and Evelyn chime in as well, surprising me as they share their training regimens and scout cycles. I’m impressed as I nod, listening.

The four guests continue to talk, sharing what improvements they think can be made. It doesn’t take long to determine that the common problem of this base is that there is no vrakken that knows how to stick to a harsh regimen. That can be easily remedied.

“We will need to send you scout leaders and combat trainers,” Soren muses. “They can instill order and ensure everyone follows suit.”

I clear my throat. “I think we need a temple. It seems many of these vrakken have forgotten – or do not know – where they come from me.”

“I agree,” Raziel says. There’s a spark in his eye that I’m not fully surprised by. Rumor has it, he once knew the First. Of course, he would be invested in restoring the vrakken’s faith in her.

“So it’s settled then,” Selene says. “Soren, send trainers and scouts. Raziel, we will send those who helped construct our base to help build the temple.”

I can feel Jessa’s eyes on me, gauging me, but I refuse to return her look. “And when can we expect these new additions?”

Evelyn leans forward. “By the end of the week.”

16

NIKOLAI

Three months later.

“May the First bless you with speed and strength that is unmatched. May Akeldama bring you power and healing. And may both show you the path to honor, to live this life as they intended.”

I turn to face the congregation, reveling in how right it feels to stand a few steps up, staring down at the vrakken who are bowed before the altars to our god and goddess. This is what we were meant for.

“In the name of the god and goddess that gave us life, let us go fulfill our purpose.”

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