Page 16 of Wrath of the Oracle

“Akima.” Her kidnapper’s deathly quiet voice came from the cave’s mouth. “Leave us.” His command left no room for argument. The man in front of her straightened his tall frame, bowed before her kidnapper, and left the cave.

Her kidnapper stepped toward her. From the mouth of his cave, Sholei saw his dark silhouette against the cave’s mouth. Her pulse beat fast in her throat; anger and fear pulsated in her blood as he approached.

“Don’t come any closer.” Sholei put her hand up to try to stop his advancement. He didn’t heed until he stood in front of her. Sholei crossed her arms around her chest. A breath separated them. He was close enough for the scent of dark spice to assault her nose.

“Settle down before you hurt yourself.” He stretched a canister full of water to her. “Drink.”

She hit the flask away. The water spilled and soaked into the stone ground. The action reminded her of how she clashed with Musembi a few days ago. The thoughtangered her further; she couldn’t believe the last time they talked was in a heated disagreement.

“Where are Tula and Musembi?”

”Stop being stubborn, and maybe I’ll answer your questions.” He removed the canister attached to his belt and offered her water again.

“My disappearance must have been noticed by now. The city guards will be on your trail soon,” she warned. Someone would have seen her being carried away by the strange man.

“That will not be possible.” He set the water can on the furs beside her and paced before the fire, his hands crossed behind his back. His eyebrows were drawn together, deep in thought.

“You kidnapped me from the capital. Don’t think you’ll get away with it.” She walked to where he was and stood before him.

“Really?” He leaned his head toward her and took a small step back. “You passed out in my arms, and like a devoted lover, I carried you home. How could anyone fault me for being such a considerate man?” His lips peeled back in a lopsided grin that resembled a predator’s snarl.

“Lover?” Sholei swallowed as she held his gaze. They were so close, and his warm breath fanned her face. If what he said was true, then nobody would raise an alarm.

“By now, Musembi must be back to the medicine yard, and Tula is beside herself with worry. A search party led by yourdearPrince Gane is looking for you,” he drawled out, with the same monotone voice he had in the forest when he told her he didn’t take hostages.

”You lied about kidnapping them?” Sholei gazed at him, mouth agape.What was he planning?

“Witnessing you getting cozy with the Prince of Mukuru was like striking gold. If my assumptions are correct, he is busy looking for you, charged by his emotion...” His voice trailed in a calculated tone.

“You are using me as bait? Your target is not me but Prince Gane?” she asked, her voice a squeak.

“Once again, you have proved your sharp mind.” He turned toward her and released a half smile. “That is why you need to eat and drink. We wouldn’t want yourloverto find you starved.”

“If you think Prince Gane will fall for your tricks, you have something else coming.” She spoke far more bravely than she felt.

Sholei was relieved Tula delivered her message and Prince Gane was searching for her. The man in front of her wasn’t a typical foe. He was calm.Had he spied on her in the capital?

“Do you have that much faith in your Prince?” He stepped towards her, and she stepped back. He didn’t stop until the back of her knees hit the fur bed. She didn’t want him near her. She didn’t like the dangerous gleam in his dark eyes, which roamed her face before it landed on the necklace gifted to her by Gane.

“How about we motivate him?” With a single pull, he ripped the pendant from her neck and dragged her forward with a sudden motion. The delicate clasp gave way with the rough tug.

“No.” She tried to stop him, but she fell on him, her hands landing on his chest. She grabbed his robes to breakher fall. For a second, they stared at each other before she whispered to him, “You don’t have to do this.”

“The fight between me and Gane is bound to happen. Nothing can stop the war. Unless,” he whispered back, “he surrenders.” His eyes roamed her face, his look of indifference shed for a second. “It will do you good to forget about him.” With that, he pushed her back to the bed and straightened his clothes.

He gave her a once-over before getting a dagger and slicing his left palm. Sholei watched in horror as he coated the necklace with his blood. He called out to his accomplice. The other man walked in and cast curious glances between Sholei and her kidnapper.

“Make sure Prince Gane sees this.” He handed him the bloody necklace, and without question, the man bowed and left.

“Someone will deliver your food and other essentials. Don’t leave this cave.” With those words, he left, blood dripping from his clenched fist.

Sholei stood and paced the cave. She wouldn’t stay and wait for his return. She had to warn Prince Gane and the city guards of the trap, and maybe her reward would be even higher. Her dream of going to the Faye Islands hadn’t completely died. Sholei instantly felt better. This time, she wasn’t going to let the chance bypass her.

Looking around the cavern, she searched for something to help her escape from her captors.

Musembi lit the incense, and the cloudy smoke swirled around the small room. She knelt before the wide ancestral table, her hands up in silent veneration. She was determined to summon the Oracle that night and get her answers. Years ago, she learned the art of summoning an oracle. She had never thought of using it until recently when Sholei was kidnapped by a Dembe soldier.

Musembi had never believed in gods, the supernatural, or the afterlife. As a physician, she tackled issues with logic and reasoning and did not invoke the spirits of the dead. That was until she was visited by the Oracle twenty years ago.

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