The LEVELER King ✔

BOOK 3: CHAPTER 19

Boon's expression was blank as he looked from the body to the head.

Indel did as well. He had to. He couldn't look at Boon's placid face. He couldn't look at Nala.

Crane's throat had been cut, so deeply that the impact ripped it off the rest of the way. His head fell into Nala's lap and the Summoner still held it, looking at the blank eyes that seemed to look back at her.

It took three Levelers to move the body. No one tried to take the head. When Sessel arrived, she, too, was silent.

Indel's feet felt unsteady. He longed to wail. Time and time again he'd nearly lost Crane and now that he finally had, he wished his own hearts would explode and he could come to an end as well.

Nala, like Boon, said nothing.

They waited there for as long as silence would allow. No one moved a muscle, not even when several females came and rubbed leaves and brush against the blood to make it fade. Some purple still remained but it was hard to make all of it out in the moonlight.

"We must discuss this," Sessel said. "I fear we should do it tonight before the morning comes. If you leave now...." She stared down at the bare area before them. "If you leave now, I will take your place in the challenge. As my blood does not match yours, Daga, you will not be sought."

Indel couldn't meet Sessel's gaze. He wanted to say he'd fight instead, but the idea of Nala going home alone wasn't one he relished. If he lost, Boon would die as well. And then there was Boon....

"Where were you when this all took place?" Sessel asked.

"Here," Indel said. "Here in the garden with Na'am."

Sessel cleared her throat. "I was asking your son."

Boon picked his head up; his motion so slow he appeared to be pulled by a string.

"What?"

Though Sessel didn't seem as confident, she was bold enough to voice her thoughts. Boon was no match for anyone, really, maybe not even for Sessel.

"I asked where you were. Your brother lies dead at your feet and you say not a word."

Boon only stared at her, not out of malice, or anger. He just looked at her.

The world vibrated for Indel and he feared his legs would collapse under him.

Boon.

In the back of his mind that thought had been there but he didn't dare entertain it. He pushed it away again but it came back stronger.

"With no challenger..." Sessel said. "You should return to your home and spend out your life there."

"I'll challenge them." Boon said, his eyes glazed. "I will challenge them all."

Sessel let out a laugh. "And doom your Azal? Don't be foolish."

"I'll challenge them," Boon said. "I am not leaving until I do."

When Sessel's eyes settled on Indel, she wanted to shake her head and refuse. Nala still hadn't moved; Boon still showed no discernable expression. Indel wanted to refuse and return with what was left of his family. He wanted to leave.

But if he went back, he was surely calling his son a killer.

"I will challenge them," Boon said again. "I will not back down. Aza and Azal do not leave. They will remain here until midday when we fight."

He walked away. Who knows where he was headed.

Sessel glanced past Indel and said, "He's heading to the birthing chambers." She stepped around the blood stain and took Indel's hand in hers. "Daga. Leave. Take your Summoner and leave. Your remaining boy has nothing in him. No soul and no sorrow. Both of you should leave."