Page 129 of An Empress of Air & Chaos

Viktir spoke, “I knew the Dark Army would come looking for the ancient artifacts. They are said to be the only objects that can break Veles free from his cage in the underworld. His crusaders have burned villages, savaged cities, and destroyed worlds to find the powerful relics.” Viktir threw a glance at Taymir and held up the stone. “And I have one right here.”

Taymir’s eyes widened.

The Commander continued, “We have tried to obtain the stone for some time;we weren’t even sure that it was in this world until you showed up with it—and at the Tower of all places.” He glanced over Emara. “It has been said that the stone, once locked with the others—the ones that the light Gods created—will free him from the binding spell. A magical loophole, if you will.”

Viktir stepped closer to Taymir. “We don’t know how many of the relics the Dark God has, but I know he does not have them all if I have one in my hand.”

Taymir shifted on his feet.

“Whoever you are working for—be it the Dark God or someone else—what do you think they would want more? The stone or the girl?”

He chucked the stone into the air and caught it. “The decision is yours, Solden.”

The Commander’s question hung heavier in the air than the smell of destruction. But Taymir didn’t speak. He shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

It was now clear that he was well and truly out of his depth. What was also clear was that who he was working for hadn’t informed him about the stone, or its abilities. The whole room watched Taymir as he contemplated the options bestowed to him by the Commander of the Blacksteel Hunting Clan.

A cold wave of terror washed over Emara’s body. Her spine tightened and her breathing crashed as she watched him ponder over the question. Her eyes trailed back to the Commander, who was stony-faced and positioned like granite in front of her. Emara dreaded to wonder, was Viktir Blacksteel using negotiation tactics to protect her, or the stone?

“How did you know about the stone?” Torin asked Gideon impatiently.

But Gideon didn’t answer. Instead, he dipped his chin with something like shame crossing his features.

Viktir circled round to the front of Torin, who still hadn’t moved, and said, “You knew about the stone for a while, and yet I have given you countless opportunities to tell me about it.” Torin tensed. “It is not only you, my son, who will find pretty females who can be your eyes and ears in Huntswood, especially in the markets. We will deal with that matter separately, but for now let’s get back to the main topic at hand, shall we?” Viktir swung around to the front of the room. “Mr. Solden, I know your grandfather well and he will not be best pleased to find his heir running around in demon business, nor would the Minister of Coin. He might find your crimes unforgivable—cut your inheritance. If I were you, I would realise I was out my depth here and leave before anything else happens.”

Like your death.

Emara knew that’s what Viktir Blacksteel implied silently.

“I don’t think you understand, Commander Blacksteel.” Taymir’s chin lifted. “I don’t work for my grandfather, and I never will—he made that clear. I severed my ties with the Elite. I work for a unique employer, even more powerful than the Minister of Coin. In fact, some of you might have heard of him,” Taymir still played out to the crowd. “Veles—King of the underworld.”

Every Hunter in the room stood to attention like something had ignited in their blood, telling them to attack. Emara’s skin was sent into a frenzy of goosebumps as he confirmed her earlier thoughts. Thoughts that she had thought were radical and crazy. A few hisses and gasps floated out from the watching crowd.

“And why would the King of the underworld recruit a worm like you?” Torin spat. “He is Veles, the God of Darkness. He doesn’t need a shunned Elite asshole to do his bidding.”

“Through me, he saw a path to Emara.” Taymir smiled so cruelly.

Emara’s blood turned thin. So, the King of the underworld wanted a path to Emara. She pushed down the swarming vomit.

“That is utter bullshit, Commander.” Torin glanced at his father. “Surely, you cannot buy that he is working for Veles.”

The Commander thought over whatever darkness was starting to unfold in his mind.

“Father, he is lying.” Torin spoke through gritted teeth again, “If Veles wanted Emara, his knights would have taken her the night of the attack, but they didn’t. They wanted something else.”

Viktir’s jaw moved slightly, acknowledging Torin’s point. “And have you spoken with the Dark God himself?” he asked Taymir.

“No, but—”

“Then who have you spoken with?” the Commander questioned.

Taymir’s eyes darkened. “He wants her. That’s all I was instructed to do.” He looked over at Emara. “As do I. She’s mine until I say she isn’t.”

Torin leapt forward. He lifted the blade to strike Taymir in the heart.

“Stop!” Emara screamed. “Stop!”

Torin ceased rigidly, as if it was taking all of his strength not to shove the blade through Taymir’s heart.

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