Page 44 of Despite Mortal Sins

Taking his word, Rukia glanced around. “Are you ready to return to the clan?”

The world blurred around them for a bare second before clearing into the myriad of homes that littered his territory. The Elemental looked at her surroundings with the barest traces of confusion. “That’s a handy party trick.”

“I live to serve.”

Rukia threw him a glance over her shoulder. “I’ve never heard anything so outrageous in my life. You don’t serve anyone, Isaiah.”

A corner of his mouth lifted. “Do you need food?”

“No, I was just in my element.” Rukia responded as she came to scrutinize one of the largest houses along the central walkway. “How does the whole sovereign thing work? Why do they follow you and not some other schmuck?”

Isaiah opened his mouth to correct her preconceived notions, when his heart thumped in warning. His primal instincts sharpened to a lethal edge.

An unidentified Raeth teleported behind him mere seconds later. He spun to face the intruder with a tangible pulse of power.

Jaden locked eyes with him.

The unwelcome Raeth was slim-built and taller than him by several inches. The other man was second to the powerful sovereign who ruled in Switzerland, and the position was never awarded lightly. Cat-green irises studied him with warrior focus. The younger Raeth was clearly here with only one motive in mind. Isaiah had no doubts about his strength.

Isaiah’s lieutenants had already teleported directly behind him. They flanked him in support.

“You must be wondering why I’m encroaching on your territory.”

“Quite the contrary,” Isaiah replied conversationally. He felt the tension in his lieutenants through their mental bonds. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“Have you? Word travels fast.”

“Yes, well, your clan has never been very good at keeping secrets.”

The insult landed. He heard Rukia anxiously shift behind him, and Jaeda repositioning to stand by her. He knew the Elemental would read the situation and understand that the stakes were high.

“Glad we could catch up, Isaiah, but I’m certain you know my intentions.”

“There is a training ground not far from here.” Isaiah telepathically sent him the coordinates. “We will relocate there to avoid any collateral damage.”

Isaiah would not allow his people to be caught in the crosshairs. Challenges like the one forthcoming nearly always resulted in catastrophic violence, the damage to their surroundings unintentional and coincidental.

“Of course.” Jaden mockingly bowed “Wouldn’t want to accidentally kill any of your people before they become mine.”

Isaiah’s upper lip curled automatically in response to Jaden’s threat.No onethreatened his people and lived to tell the tale. Rage bled unbidden through the psychic bonds surrounding him, but he blocked them out in seconds.

“You lead; I will follow.” He inclined his head.

“Don’t trust me?”

“No.” There was enough malice in Isaiah’s tone to peel paint.

Jaden teleported to the training grounds half a moment later, disappearing into thin air. Isaiah didn’t look back at his lieutenants, his concentration fully on the battle to come. He’d need complete focus in the coming moments, and he couldn’t have their emotions tangling with his and interfering with his attention. He donned his fighting leathers, the material suitable for what he’d begin in only a few moments.

He snapped their last instruction, addressing them all. “Protect the Elemental.”

Teleporting to the training grounds, he stood opposite the Raeth male who’d come to challenge him. A safe distance away, the energy signatures of his lieutenants blipped onto the scene, Rukia among them. But he couldn’t afford to split his concentration, not now.

“Speak the words, youngling.” Isaiah’s voice called out over the quiet of the desert, the contest having to originate from Jaden. While he was clearly no youth, Isaiah wouldn’t miss the chance for antagonism. “I will show no mercy.”

Inclining his head, Jaden became solemn. “Isaiah, sovereign of the Sylth, I challenge you for your right to rule.”

Overhead, a white, baseball-sized orb materialized, hovering over the pair of them to arbitrate the duel that would inevitably take place. Should Isaiah refuse the challenge, it would kill him without delay.

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