Page 7 of Rescued By the Alien Acolyte

They hesitate for a moment before one steps forward. Vixar. An ambitious acolyte, no doubt wishing to ingratiate himself inthe ritual. His red eyes dart nervously toward the purification chamber.

“Master, the High Inquisitor has called for you to come at once. He has sent us to fetch you. We are to attend to the apostate.”

I glare at him, anger flaring in my chest. The thought of anyone else touching Loelle sends a surge of possessive rage through me. “She is mine to prepare for the cleansing,” I snap, my voice low and dangerous.

“Master, please allow me to prepare the apostate,” Vixar says, his voice trembling slightly. “We have orders from the High Inquisitor.”

“No,” I snarl, my rage barely contained. The air seems to crackle with tension.

“But Master, the High Inquisitor—”

“I said no,” I growl, my voice dripping with menace. I step closer to Vixar, towering over him. “You will stay away from her. If you dare to defy me, there will be consequences.”

Vixar steps back, his eyes wide, but there’s a flicker of defiance in them I don’t like. The scent of fear is there, but it’s mixed with something else—ambition, perhaps. His posture, though submissive, has a tension to it that speaks of barely contained rebellion.

“Of course, Master Finzar,” he says, his voice steady despite his apparent fear. “We will await your return.”

But I can see the calculation in his eyes. He’s weighing his options, considering whether following the High Inquisitor’s orders might be more beneficial to his advancement than obeying me. I don’t trust him. Ambition like his is dangerous, especially when backed by higher authority.

I narrow my eyes at him, my voice low and threatening. “Remember, Vixar; I will know if you disobey me. And no order, no matter who from, will protect you from my wrath.”

He nods, but the glint in his eyes tells me this isn’t over. I’ll need to be quick in my meeting with the High Inquisitor. I take one last look toward the room which holds Loelle. She is still bound and waiting, her skin glistening with oil in the flickering candlelight. I can’t leave Loelle vulnerable to the machinations of an ambitious acolyte for long. I must return quickly.

My robes swirl around me as I stride past the two acolytes to the High Inquisitor’s quarters, the fabric whispering against the stone floor. The corridors are dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls as I pass. The air grows cooler as I approach Sakar’s chambers, an unwelcome change to the heated atmosphere I left behind.

I enter without knocking, as is my right as Master Inquisitor. The room is austere, dominated by a large stone desk. Behind it sits High Inquisitor Sakar, his weathered face etched with lines of cruelty and zeal. His red eyes, cold and calculating, fix upon me as I enter.

“Finzar,” Sakar says, his voice like gravel. “The Solstice approaches, and our scouts report an unprecedented drought in the Western regions. The people grow restless.”

I stiffen, aware of the implications. “High Inquisitor, surely the rains will come—”

“Silence!” Sakar snaps, his eyes flashing with barely contained rage. “We cannot afford uncertainty. The awakening of the sun gods is more crucial than ever. Aridium’s very survival hangs in the balance.”

I nod, feeling the weight of his words. The sun gods’ return promises an end to the cycle of droughts that have plagued our world for generations. It’s why we’ve dedicated our lives to this cause, why we’ve made such sacrifices.

Sakar’s gaze bores into me. “Your progress with the female is too slow, Finzar. We need her broken and willing before theSolstice. Her sacrifice must be pure or all our efforts will be for naught.”

“High Inquisitor, I assure you—”

“Your assurances mean nothing!” Sakar roars, slamming his fist on the desk. “I want results, Finzar. Break her by any means necessary. If you can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”

The threat hangs heavy in the air. I swallow hard, knowing Sakar’s ruthlessness knows no bounds. “I understand, High Inquisitor. It will be done.”

Sakar’s lips curl into a cold smile. “See that it is. And Finzar? To ensure your focus remains… undivided, I’m assigning Vixar to assist you. He’ll report directly to me on your progress.”

My blood runs cold. Vixar, the ambitious acolyte who’s been nipping at my heels. Having him watch my every move could jeopardize everything. “High Inquisitor, I assure you that’s unnecessary—”

“It is not a request, Finzar,” Sakar growls. “Unless you prefer I find a more permanent solution to your recent… ineffectiveness.”

I clench my jaw, knowing I have no choice but to agree. “As you wish, High Inquisitor.”

“Remember, Finzar,” he says as I turn to leave. “The future of Aridium rests on your shoulders. Fail, and you doom us all to an eternity of dust and ashes.”

I leave his chambers, my mind whirling. As I make my way back to Loelle, I find myself torn between my loyalty to the Nexus and the stirring of something new and dangerous within me.

three

Loelle

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