Book 2 of: Whispers Of Desires.
In the kingdoms of Niameda, Althea, and Ivamis, trade ships are mysteriously vanishing without a trace. When Kazi, the General of Niameda, risks her life to save the King of Althea from an assassination attempt, he of...
Adrenaline surged through Kazi as a blur of black shadow lunged towards her with unnatural speed causing the dagger to fall to the floor as she instinctively threw her arms up to block the attack.
A sickening crunch of her bone rang through her ears as something slammed into her, sending her flying across the deck. Groaning in ache, Kazi squeezed her eyes close, momentarily stunned. She tasted a metal tang in her mouth, realizing that she was bleeding.
Disoriented, she scrambled to her knees as she crawled towards her fallen dagger. Her vision swam, but she forced herself to remain alert. The shadowy figure was nowhere to be seen. She gripped the dagger tightly in her hand. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she scanned the deck, searching for any sign of her attacker.
Then she saw it...A changeling...Just like the late King Madoc...
"Who are you?" Kazi managed to croak out, her voice barely audible above the pounding of her heart. The changeling did not answer, only darting from one corner of the deck to another. Before Kazi could react, it lunged at her again, its razor-sharp claws aimed for her throat.
Kazi rolled to the side, barely avoiding the changeling's claws. Scrambling to her feet, she lunged forward, but she missed as the changeling dodged out of reach again. She spun around, her dagger held high, searching for an opening. The changeling landed lightly on the deck, its eyes locked on hers, its breath coming in quick gasps.
Just as Kazi felt her strength failing, she saw an opportunity. The changeling had lowered its guard, its focus on her, giving her a split second to react. With a swift motion, she lunged forward, driving her dagger deep into the changeling's arm.
A shriek, inhuman and chilling, ripped through the air. The changeling clutched its wounded arm, its claws digging into the deck as it struggled to remain upright. Kazi stood frozen in shock for a moment, then lunged forward, her dagger raised. Before she could strike, however, the changeling vanished in a swirl of darkness.
Kazi collapsed onto the floor; her body full of pain. Her abdomen throbbed where the changeling had hit her. She could feel warm blood trickling down her chin. Her vision blurred and her head spun.
Although she was in pain, she was grateful she had confirmation of her suspicions – a changeling, was lurking within the Althean court. Slowly, forcing down the waves of dizziness, Kazi surveyed the wreckage. Spotting a dusty first-aid kit tucked away in a broken cupboard, she managed to patch up her wound, the antiseptic stinging her raw flesh. The pain was almost unbearable, but she knew she had to stay alive. Her survival was now more important than ever.
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With a deep breath, Kazi pushed herself to her feet. She had a long journey back to the castle, but she would not rest until she unmasked the changeling and exposed the traitor at the heart of the Althean court. Tonight, she had stumbled upon a truth far more sinister than a missing trade ship. And she, Kazi, would not rest until justice was served.
