BLOODLUST - DARK SOULS (THE CURSE OF THE BLOOD SERIES #1)

part ten

        Nimiel took her to another space. She could see the blood-freezing distance between the endless hills and the crystal floor under her dirty feet. The Ruin. She'd never expected it to be this terrifying yet breathtaking.

        "We've had only one rule." Kaius spun, facing them. "No Invera from Vank will be joining us. Are you trying to kill us faster?"

        "Rush decision will only bring Ryu one step closer to us," Hirgraen added. He seemed a lot calmer than Kaius. His hand was frozen still on the paper on the table before he pulled them to a knot against his chest, leaning in his chair. "That being said—she shouldn't be here with us right now."

        "Aiden." Nimiel turned to his left.

        Laith lifted her chin to Aiden in front.

        "She didn't have any batch. I make sure of that." Nimiel added.

        "Are you sure she wasn't by Zaph's side?" Vynn asked, glaring at Aiden.

        Nimiel turned to Vynn. "I thought you were on our side." He sneered.

        Vynn pursed her lips. She shifted her body to Nimiel. "I'm taking no one's side. Batches or not, I'm certain there was no cut on her skin. She was less likely to be a prisoner, moreover the survivor herself. She must've been too precious to be sliced on the battlefield."

        She didn't know. Aiden didn't tell her, or anyone in this room, but why?

        "That's because they want to package her!" Kaius's hand slammed the table, hard. "Another slaughtered-replaced pet fits Ryu's stupid Tag. That's why we could've killed her!"

        Tag. She heard those words from Alra. A cage filled with highly selected Forbiddenchild. An experiment on their gift for only one reason; to increase his power, strengthening his position on the throne.

         "Then what's the point of bringing her here if you don't want her then? You're the one who suggests we need an insider." Nyer sneered at him.

         Nimiel shrugged to Nyer. "Maybe she's a healer?"

        "For Radia's sake, Nim, she's an Invera!" Kaius landed his fist on the wall.      

        "Kai, calm down." Hirgraen groaned. He rubbed the center of his brow with his two fingers. "We're not going anywhere with you losing control like her kind, too."

        Kaius rushed to Hirgraen, "Don't you dare compare me to this filthy betrayer." He grabbed Kaius by his collar. "I sacrificed to this bloodline more than you, more than you could ever imagine—"

        "That's enough." Aiden stood. "You might've doubted me, but when I say Laith will help us, she will help us. Is that clear?"

          Everyone in the courtroom stood. "Yes, General."

        "Better," Aiden replied. "I brought her here not because I trusted her." He turned to Laith. Laith immediately pulled her face to her lap.

         "Even if she was about to be packaged that doesn't mean they had been devious of her any less. Aside from that, she knew a lot more than you think."

        "How so?" Hirgraen leaned back, his voice lowered.

        "She spent time with Zaph longer than any prisoners in that underground."

        "Why? What's wrong with her?" Nyer retained.

        "Other than being a rebel and almost rip Lord Juvia's scalp, she's fine," Nimiel spoke, he threw his gaze to Nyer. "Though I'm concern Zaph had other plans for her."