One Eternal Ember

Chapter 7.

Every muscle in my body tenses, as I recall the words that just spilled from her lips.

"You know who I am?" I ask quietly, refusing to meet her gaze.

"Of course. Do you really think I would allow you to come with Lilith if I didn't recognize you?" The Fae Female responds, shrugging lightly. Delano laughs a lovers laugh and continues past us towards the Castle.

"But...how."

"Your eyes."

"Kingslayer? Seriously Kas? We been friends for what? An hour? A few days maybe? And you conveniently left that out? You're famous I tell ya. Everyone around here knows about the Kingslayer."

I spin to Lilith. "You're one to talk. Lordanou? That's your family name and you're the Queen's Eternal? You've won every conquest for ten years straight Lilith. You didn't tell me that either. I thought the Lordanou's were a bunch of uptight urchins."

Lilith rolls her eyes and throws her hands in the air. "Yeah, they are. I don't even want their last name but that's what I got I tell ya. Now quit yelling at me until I get another beer." She turns on her heel and continues after Delano. I look to the Fae female, shocked.

"You knew me from the start. I don't even know your name."

"My name is Zenna." She replies blandly.

"What does the King want with me?"

"I don't know Kingslayer. All I know is he's been searching for you for a long time." Zenna taps her chin thoughtfully. "I do hope you don't kill our King as well, our country is already in enough trouble. And Kasdeya? I don't know how you managed to kill King Garou considering you're just a lousy, worthless human. But don't try that here. You'll find not all of us are as welcoming as our King." She then turns on her heel and storms after Lilith, not allowing me time to argue. Lousy? Worthless? I try not to bristle, and heave a sigh beginning the trek behind them quietly.

King Garou was no innocent man. He was keeping ancient scrolls from the Garden of Knowledge about  the location of the Enibulus. The one book that could open the one portal between our world, and the world of the Renx. Renx are foul creatures known for ravaging worlds, and conquering every living planet. They purge worlds. King Garou had the plans to rip a hole in the world and allow the Renx to purge our world, then by using his long line of Light Magic he would create a new world. Where only him and the people who followed him would live. He would risk the entire world for his vision. How was I supposed to let that happen? I had to kill him. I then burned the scrolls and all plans that ever showed what he would do if he was successful.

He didn't go down easily. A phantom pain throbs to life in my left thigh. Killing my way through his castle was pain enough. His soldiers were all corrupt with his vision, desperate to create a new world. Fighting that many men was hard enough, but King Garou knew I was coming for him. He met me in his corridor, more like he was waiting for me. He refused to kill me with magic, spluttering some words like; "You're just a human woman." and "you're weak". I've always had to work harder than anyone else. I was born without power of any kind so all I've had was my physique and sharp mind. I nearly made it that night after fighting King Garou. I only survived because I found the many supplies King Garou used to heal his subjects, after tearing them apart. Safe to say, he was disgusting. He didn't die slow enough or suffer enough. After his death, the Kingslayer mark, a Dragon eating its own tail was branded onto the back of my neck. Right below my hair. That's why I never remove my hood, or put my hair up.

Blending in was something I thought I did with ease. Turns out wearing a hood only makes you more suspicious. Even if you're in travel clothes, and muddy boots. The memory of the Tavern from a few days ago flashes back, and i cringe. Drinking more than every man in there probably didn't help either. It was worth it for the whiskey. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear at what I was summoned for. I grimace, my shoulders tensing as the guards open the large metal doors to the castle.

I could've sworn the monster slumbering in my veins opened an eye as I followed my escorts inside the Stone Cage.