A Golden Heart Page 5

  They watched silently in the stands, an intimidating force of horns and sneers. Anger pulsed throughout the room, the murmuring of the worried women quieting. Vashti had seen people be executed for much less by her brother in the past. And the Incendie... they had a different type of punishment if a person disobeyed. This wasn't a big shock to her like the others in the crowd. She had been raised among violence.

  The girl confessed all her sins to the crowd. The spew of words became worse from the crazed woman, the crowd of competitors shaking their heads at the demon. They had no remorse for her now.

  Vashti looked about to see if the shadowed monster from her first day or the winged generals sat in the stands, but they weren't present. Cassira motioned for the guardian at her side to draw the well-honed sword she carried to deliver the sentence.

  Serena’s head fell from the dais at the swipe of the sword, her mouth open in a shocked expression. Cassira kicked it away elegantly to clear it from her space.

  Vashti snickered at the bouncing head and glanced over to see Medorah's expression. Shaking her head at the spectacle, the snake lady frowned and with a flick of the wrist, she dismissed the situation.

  There was no pity or tears. This competition would be serious and deadly.

  Vashti couldn’t wait.

  The guardian in charge of the gong picked up her giant hammer, slamming it on the metal to call for the first competitors to begin the first trial. Cassira hurried back to her charges and ushered them to the hallway crowded with cloaked women and short horned guardians.

  “Prepare. This trial can move quickly depending on the competition.”

  Cassira was right. As soon as the defeated competitor was hauled away, the next competitors stepped out to the field. The guardians kept the process moving quickly, the ringing gong echoing in Vashti's head.

  I'm sure I'll dream about a gong and a head bouncing about the room tonight.

  Cassira hurried to Medorah’s side, frantically announcing, “You are up next! Do you have everything you need!?” The guardian seemed more nervous than usual, alternating biting her nails and wringing her hands. Vashti was fascinated by her sudden change of demeanor.

  Medorah hissed calmly, “Yes, Cassira. I am always ready.” The two short swords she had chosen were held tightly in her hands, hidden along with her tail below her large black cloak. The gong rang out, beckoning the next competitors.

  Medorah and Krena.

  Vashti walked up behind Medorah, whispering, “Good luck, my friend.” Medorah nodded her covered head. She looked up to the stands at the feel of hundreds of eyes watching her. A sudden flutter of nerves unexpectedly flowed through her belly at the large crowd. The stadium was large and open, unlike her home constructed high up in the trees in the Forest, where her people were usually concealed safely.

  Vashti followed Medorah's gaze when she noticed the tense set of her shoulders.

  The monster from the shadows had arrived through the metal door.

  It was the Horde King with his Generals surrounding him in the exact stance as yesterday. She only recognized General Gorius, the King’s primary right hand General. The purple sword at his side and sparkling armor were easy to see. Gorius looked bored, watching the people around him, his short hair curled slightly around his face, lessening his menacing appearance. Gorius’s proud demon horns and wings were impressive, Vashti had to admit. His handsome face and demeanor was a perfect foil for the beastly King, whose bony points on his face and menacing horns could put his entire army into submission with only a word.

  The King sat in the shadow of his wings like before. Vashti was unable to see his face in the darkness. The only thing visible was his clawed fingertips tapping irritably on his armor covered knee.

  The losing contestant was carried away on a stretcher, moaning in pain.

  Medorah sauntered out to the field. The crowd’s roar of victory still echoed, celebrating the last victory. Their distraction helped Medorah’s odd walk go by unnoticed. The cloak was so long that it concealed her tail coiled to her body. It may have made Medorah move stiffly, but it was a hidden advantage that she planned to use against her competitor.

  Krena did not know what it was she faced but could see the creature “Medorah” was limping, so luck was already on her side. She held the pike her father had gifted to her for luck to strike down the odd creature. She would make her people proud this day, she promised, shoving back her braid to focus.

  Medorah waited patiently as the Pit Dynast taught her.

  Save your strike.

  The pike Krena held would keep her at a distance, but Medorah would use her secret to even the odds.

  A guardian yelled out, “Fight!” after ringing that infernal gong.

  Krena ran toward Medorah, pike outstretched. Her cape was flapping behind her with her quick motion, showing a glimpse of armor.

  That won’t save you, Medorah thought.

  Her diamond plated tail whipped out, wrapping around Krena’s spike, causing the Horde to gasp in astonishment from the stands. Krena’s pike snapped in half after she flexed her tail.

  Medorah gracefully coiled her tail closer to her body and released the ruined wood, the rattle on the end of her tail flicking back and forth with an alarming sound. She kept her swords under the cloak and smiled.

  Krena sat stunned on the dirt floor, the ruined weapon lying on the ground in front of her. Grabbing the small blade that was left, she told herself, this isn’t over yet.

  Krena stood up and growled with menace, trying to rush the evil snake woman rattling at her. She thrust the broken blade at the snake's middle, trying to bury it deep when Medorah's blade easily raised to deflect it.

  The snake-woman sighed, hissing, “Will you forfeit child? You fight very poorly.”

  “Never!” screamed Krena. Medorah shook her head at the demon’s dramatic scream, looking up at the Generals to see their reaction of the fight. A General with a purple sword watched her intently. His strong wings flared outward, preening for her like an evian, an owl-like bird that originated from the Forest, would for its mate in the Pit.

  There’s a man I would lay eggs for.

  Screaming like a banshee from the forest, Krena ran again at Medorah in desperation. Medorah raised one blade, thinking to block her easily, but Krena parried back.

  Maybe she does have some fight in her.

  Medorah moved faster, both blades flashing to bring down her competitor, while Krena frantically tried to block, unable to handle Medorah’s speed. A blur of tail and blades circled the stadium to the rapt attention of the crowd. The final blow was her tail, knocking Krena to the ground.

  Krena’s pike went soaring through the air, whirling in circles, toward the direction of the King. The General drew his purple sword to deflect the errant blade showing his strength. The King continued to tap on his knee, the pattern unfazed. Medorah held her blade to Krena’s throat so she couldn’t try to attack again and injure someone accidentally. For some reason, she didn’t want the man with the purple sword to be hurt. Medorah felt protective of a male for the first time.

  The battle was over. Medorah raised her eyes to the General and noticed his soft eyes continued to hold hers as he held his own sword. Bowing her head, she withdrew her blade from the demon’s throat.

  The General tilted his head, recognizing her submission to him. His wings fluttered with his excitement of the battle. Medorah smiled at his odd show, walking off the field, feeling lighter than she ever had. She was trying to figure out her emotions and the way she had felt about the General at the King’s side when Vashti met her in the archway.

  Vashti stared into Medorah's dazed eyes, asking, “What happened out there? Did General Gorius threaten you?” Vashti tried to peer into the stands, but couldn’t see the General’s expression in the crush of people from the hall.

  Medorah stopped, unsteadily turning, and asked, “Gorius? His name is Gorius?”

  Vashti moved back and swung her sword ba
ck and forth to warm up, watching Medorah closely and teased, “Yes. A perfect specimen for egg laying?” Vashti wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at Medorah.

  Medorah laughingly hissed, “Yes. Perfect. The right hand General to Horde King Magnamar. My Pit would be proud of my first trial victory.”

  Vashti stopped swinging her sword. “The King’s name is Magnamar?” she asked cautiously, not wanting to show her own interest in the beast waiting in the stands.

  Medorah looked at her friend carefully, but answered just as cautiously, “King Magnamar is the most important and highest regarded demon here and has never chosen to join a Hunt. Do not get your hopes up for that one my two-legged friend. He is ruthless. Savage. It is well known through Kaia. He wishes to rule the Horde alone for eternity, and nothing will stand in his way.”

  Her words echoed in Vashti’s mind, but an unwanted thought pushed Medorah’s words away.

  But I’ve never been here for a trial. What if he was waiting… for me?

  They waited a long time while Vashti warmed up, her tense muscles relaxing as she recalled her training.

  One of the Incendie Tanssijja training days crossed through Vashti’s mind.

  Rainey’s step-mother glided to their circle, running her fingers through Rainey’s hair, finishing off with a slight cut to her cheek from her long fingernails. Rainey slapped her hand away, earning a slap across her face in retaliation. Powerful Rainey just smiled calmly and licked the blood from her lips. Vashti watched, wondering if she should step in and help the poor girl this time. Instead, Rainey’s eldest brother reached up a hand to stop the older woman’s advance on his sister. It may have looked like a kindness that he helped his sister to an outsider, but it was all a lie.

  Rainey shook her head, softly mouthing, “Not yet.” The step-mother stopped her walk around Rainey when she noticed Vashti watching the exchange.

  “Oh, yes. What was your name again, child?”

  “Princess Vashti of Merdi, ma’am.”

  A long fingernail scraped at the woman’s perfect pout. She mused, “Oh, yes. I remember now. I knew your mother. I believe I had to give her some bad news that night she died. You see, I married her true mate. Her fire. And he had promised to come and marry her.” Her lip poked out in fake sadness when she added, “I was sad to give her such bad news, but I hated to see the Queen suffer so, waiting on that balcony for him to come for her that night.” Laughing harshly, she left Vashti stunned on the floor. She tried to stem the silent tears flowing down her face in front of the Incendie, but couldn't.

  Rainey crawled over to her, holding out her hand for Vashti to hold on tightly to give her an anchor. Vashti was lost with the new knowledge of her mother’s passing.

  Rainey's brother stood over the two for a moment, watching the new princess with interest. He had a mean smile and a punishing grip. Vashti promised herself to stay far away from him, shivering when his dark gaze left her body.

  Rainey whispered, “Well… I guess we’ll have to negotiate who gets to kill that evil cunt.”

  Cassira rushed to Vashti’s side and called her name, checking her over frantically to make sure she was ready for her fight. Vashti nodded her head, trying to clear it of the memories and of the regret she had for leaving Rainey behind to fend for herself.

  I’ve been ready for this fight for a long while. These trials are what I’ve been preparing for my whole life.

  The competitor before her forfeited and left the arena in disgrace to join the guardians. The gong rang out. Vashti groaned, beginning to really hate that sound. She was already thinking of ways to sneak out and destroy it during the night.

  Vashti sauntered to the middle of the field. The roar of the crowd was loud in her ringing ears. Demon brew had been passed around the stadium the entire trial making their calls loud and their spirits bloodthirsty. The only demons she noticed that didn’t drink were the generals and the King. She looked up at the shadow, unable to resist its call.

  The monster was silently tapping his long claw on his leg still. He must have noticed her eyes swirling with gold through the mask because he stopped the tick, gripping his thigh tightly — the first change in pattern she had seen since he had been sitting there. General Gorius positioned himself protectively around King Magnamar watching Vashti closely.

  He worries I may be a threat. No. I’m far from that General.

  Vashti knew the King might not see her smile from her distance across the stadium, so she raised her hand to her lips to throw him a kiss. She would explain without words she had no fear of him, show him his savagery only excited her. The King’s giant horned wings flared out in response to her gesture. The darkness withdrew from his massive horns and showed his tense twisted face.

  The crowd was silent, watching the interaction with the King to see what he would do in response. They wanted to see another head rolling. The generals formed tightly, ready to move at their overlord’s command.

  So ready to kill me?

  King Magnamar tilted his head in acknowledgment of her gesture, the great horns never bowing to anyone, and the room began to shake with the roar of approval from his men.

  General Gorius looked at her with astonishment, eyeing her up and down, wondering what the King saw. There wasn't anything special about her except those golden eyes. The mask and cloak concealed her entire body. It was a small body, but the shape was hidden. The snake woman had interested him, but this was concerning him differently. If she threatened his King, Gorius promised that Vashti of Romule wouldn’t be long for this world.

  Vashti curtsied in respect to the King and his men in the stands telling them she accepted their approval while trying to show she meant no harm to their overlord. Gorius would be harder to impress than the drunk males, but there was no way to talk with him. Vashti wasn’t sure why she wanted to since she still planned to leave Baklan as soon as possible. She listened to the cheers around her and smiled under her mask.

  Yeah, bitches, I was born in a court full of vipers and sent to live with the devil. I can stay anywhere with anyone.

  The men stomped their approval, their fists raised in the air, shouting, “Golden eyes! Golden eyes! Golden eyes!” The head guardian cleared her throat, ready to start the match with her giant hammer.

  Vashti turned her attention to Ina, the vampire she was to face. Ina stood proudly as she held a curved scimitar toward her. Vashti’s weapon of choice was, of course, her fire whip. She was deadly with it. But she was going to save that for last. Instead, she pulled out a short sword brandishing it with ease, pumping up the crowd with giant flourishes.

  What are you doing, Vashti girl? You are supposed to stay hidden. Escape from here. Find Saphira!

  Vashti shook her distracting thoughts from her mind. She couldn't think of the future, only the present, since Ina was charging toward her with a battle cry before the gong sounded. She almost shouted her thanks for that small mercy before she did something that she would regret later.

  You can think on everything after the battle. Get through these trials unscathed.

  Vashti blocked Ina’s blow, pushing the other vampire back with a good portion of strength. Ina was taller than Vashti, but she noticed that underneath the cloak, she was slim.

  She is trained well.

  They clashed throughout the stadium. Vashti was beginning to enjoy herself thoroughly. There hadn’t been a good battle for her to enjoy in a long time.

  Ina blocked Vashti's blow to her head, while Vashti pushed down with her demon strength. Ina’s knees buckled. King Desmond, Vashti’s father, had gifted her with his strength and hair. Her mother, Queen Bera, had given her magic and a fierce temper.

  Ina whispered something, but Vashti couldn't make out what it was, so she leaned forward.

  “What was that?” she asked pleasantly as if they were great friends.

  Smirking, her mask helping to hide her intentions, Ina yelled out angrily, “Freeze, bitch.”

  Powerful ice magic whir
led around them, encasing Vashti’s arms and the two swords she held in a block of ice. The weight of the ice and the surprise attack made Vashti's arms fall away from Ina. Shaking her head at Ina, she dragged her worthless arms while trying not to lose her temper. But her emotions were like the fire inside of her, hot and burning, and she failed to rein it in.

  Smiling happily, eyes dancing under her mask, Ina pulled a hidden sword from her side. “Hurts, doesn’t it? I hope you suffer greatly with your missing arms. Maybe you can keep one if you melt my ice quick enough.” Vashti had counted on some type of trickery, but this was pure evil to make a competitor lose a limb like this. There weren’t many that could wield ice as Ina had. Odesha had been one, but the curse she had carried had been about to take a life if she used it. Vashti could do simple ice tricks, but nothing like Odesha was capable of wielding.

  The power of Ina’s ice magic had taken Vashti by surprise.

  “Cruel, vampire. Freeze? No. But you will burn,” she whispered, the swirling gold in her eyes beginning to stir. The monster inside her was ready to set fire to the person responsible for hurting its master.

  Laughing, Ina leaned forward. “What was that?” Her guard was lowered, her mind knowing she had won the battle. Ina was aware only certain vampires were gifted with ice magic, and Ina had met very few. This “Vashti” had been listed as a half-breed on the paper she had received, obviously not worthy of Freyja’s gift of magic.

  The crowd was morose and silent, thinking Ina had won the battle. They had been excited by the golden eyed creature and the response the King had shown to her. The King sat tensely; his claws dug deep in his leg to not fly down to the pit. In his anger, his blood dripped down his armor from the sharp points.

  Turning her head to see where the smell had come from in the stadium, Vashti noticed the King’s leg. Her fangs sharpened when she realized it was his blood that had caught her attention. Smiling, she licked her lips.