Pursued(50)
Except sometimes, the past wouldn’t leave you alone.
That, he sensed, was Elise’s problem. But until she was ready to deal with it, there was nothing he could do. Nothing but hold her hand patiently and hope that someday soon, she would trust him.
Before it was too late and their bond was broken forever.
Chapter Twelve
“So, Minverna, it’s lovely to finally meet you in person.”
Minverna, ex-high priestess of the Empty Throne—now referred to as the Seat of Wisdom since the rightful Councilor had returned—frowned at the apparition, which had suddenly appeared in her quarters.
Actually, they were the novice quarters. The lowly rooms carved out of stone at the base of the holy mountain. The same place she had started her career more than thirty cycles ago.
Thirty cycles wasted, she thought, the rage rising inside her again. I gave my life, dedicated my soul to this place and what is my reward? A first class passage back to the bottom while that arrogant bastard and his sniveling mate, who isn’t even a priestess, occupy my rightful place! Well not for long. Soon I’ll be gone and they’ll have reason to regret the way they treated me—ample reason!
“I can see you’re busy fuming,” the apparition remarked, solidifying somewhat so that two odd, solid silver eyes were visible. “Should I come back later? I hate to intrude on anyone else’s ‘me’ time.”
“What do you want, Draven?” Minverna demanded. “Oh yes, I know your name, Hoard Master,” she added, lifting her chin with pride. “Long have I watched you, through the Eye of Foreknowledge, even though it was forbidden me. I know all about your evil ways and plans.”
“Yes, yes, me and my dastardly plans to wipe out the whole Kindred race.” The apparition waved negligently as though the subject bored him. “I know, I’m a naughty fellow but an analysis of my moral shortcomings isn’t the reason I went to the trouble of contacting you.”
“How did you contact me?” Minverna demanded. “I thought you were bound to Hrakaz.”
The silver eyes glowed. “Not for very much longer. The binding Kall placed on me over a thousand years ago grows weaker as I myself increase in strength. And I have such delightful plans for when I finally get off planet. That’s where you come in.”
“You want me to help you kill my entire race?” She glared at him. “What kind of female do you think I am?”
“Ah, getting all high and mighty now, are we?” Draven cocked one perfectly groomed black eyebrow at her. “Well, for starters, I don’t believe you’re quite as morally upright as you’d like to believe.”
“What are you talking about?” Minverna demanded.
“Why, about the drone ships that have been leaving from First World, bound for the Ganda system, of course. And the credit that’s been piling up in your personal off-planet account as a direct result.”
“What…what do you know about that?” A sick feeling gripped the pit of her stomach. “I mean…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“But of course you do.” Draven grinned at her charmingly. “Don’t worry, my dear, your secret is perfectly safe with me. I won’t tell a soul. Of course, the small hole you put in First World’s defense perimeter to send those ships out is the way I was able to gain access to your lovely planet in the first place. Such a lovely gift, and it isn’t even my birthday!”
“How dare you accuse me? I am a high priestess—”
“Not anymore.” He gave her a mocking smile. “If my spies are correct, you’ve recently suffered a demotion all the way back down to the bottom. Rather a blow to a career priestess like yourself, I should think.”
“Yes, it was.” Minverna lifted her chin and glared into the solid silver orbs. “But if you think I’ll help you kill my entire race just because—”
Loud knocking at the crude wooden door of the novice quarters interrupted her. “Minverna? Minverna, I need you to open this door at once,” the voice of the new high priestess demanded.
“Now who could that be, I wonder?” Draven made a motion toward the door. “Do go ahead and answer it. I can wait.” The apparition settled right behind the door into a casually elegant posture, legs crossed with its chin propped on one hand. “Go on,” he urged, when she hesitated. “And when you’re finished we’ll talk business. I’m prepared to offer you a once in a lifetime reward for your help. Think about that while you’re brushing off whoever it is out there.”