Page 26 of King of Knights

“Wait, what are you talking about? You have to tell him,” Yanique says.

“Let’s get inside and get a fire going and maybe some food in my belly. I will explain everything and why I don’t think I should tell him.”

Yanique continues to frown at me. I sigh. This is becoming tiring.

“Please. You need to hear it all.”

She gives me a curt nod. I can’t help but notice something has changed with her. I’m still not sure what has drawn her here. I haven’t sensed anything that would lead us to this cave.

However, I do not get the sense she is wrong in her instincts. After that woman who appeared to me earlier, I’m not trusting much of what I feel or think at the moment.

Zandra helps her get the supplies inside as Annaniah and I collect the blankets and make a few places before the fire I’ve started. Once Annaniah begins to work on making us something to eat, I begin to tell them everything from the beginning.

“You have no idea who she is? How did she get in?” Annaniah says once I get to the end.

“I told you, she stepped through a beam of light.”

“She sounds like one of the gods or their pets,” Yanique says.

“Their pets?” I question.

“Yes, the sirens. It is said that they kept sirens to do their bidding,” Yanique replies.

My brain tickles as I remember reading something of the sort. I believe the scrolls that came to me mentioned sirens once or twice. I’m just too tired to think of what was said right now.

Zandra snorts. “The gods who haven’t shown themselves in centuries. No offense, sister, but why would they show themselves to Venus now?”

“She’s carrying a demigod. One of their own. Kendrick is a direct descendant of the alpha god. That baby is his grandchild. You heard her. He’s a gift from the gods,” Yanique says.

“What will you do?” Annaniah asks.

“I don’t know. I would need to find immortal sacred ground and then…”

“You will need us,” Yanique finishes. “The woman was right about one thing. We might be safer in another time.”

“I will do it. If it means saving your life and my nephew’s, I am here for whatever you need,” Annaniah whispers.

“I am in as well,” Zandra says, lifting her head.

Yanique sighs and rolls her eyes. “Let me see the scrolls you have. Maybe I can find out where to find sacred grounds.”

“First, let’s get a good night’s sleep. We can look together in the morning.”

***

I waketo someone brushing a hand over my hair. Opening my eyes, I find Yanique on her knees beside me. However, her eyes are glowing again like that day in the caves and her skin is alight as well.

“Did you know that their true mates can sense them? Even as they slumber, something can awaken within them and their true mates will know how to find them,” she says, but her voice seems off.

It’s almost as if someone else is talking to me through her. She continues to stroke my hair. I remain silent, not sure what’s happening or if I should disturb this trance she seems to be in.

“Kings also awaken the powers within their true mates. What once lies dormant and is as small as a mustard seed will awaken and surpass all others. It was the alpha god’s gift to protect the mates of the kings after true mates were imposed on his beloved creatures.”

“Do not fear the change. It is by her connection you will succeed. Trust your sister’s intuition. She is being guided. She knows the sacred place of the sleeping kings. Allow her to guide you.”

With that, she closes her eyes and slumps. I sit up quickly, catching her against my chest and laying her beside me. I’m growing more confused by the minute.

“What does this mean? Gods help me,” I murmur to myself.

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