Haven: Revenge of the Viper (BOOK 2)

Haven: Revenge of the Viper (Chapter 1)

Revenge of the Viper is (Book #2) in the Bestselling series HAVEN, following A Stranger Magic (BOOK #1) which is available here on Wattpad.

"A lie is but a whisper of the treachery yet to come."

―—Sinister Bones

Chapter 1

The two cloaked men entered the hallway, their staffs in hand, eyes narrowed, and faces taut with worry. They acknowledged one another with a slight tilt of the head as they rounded a corner of the dimly lit corridor.

"Any word?" asked Vallen, the younger of the two.

"No, nothing," replied Demetrius.

Large ivory sconces burned with a low flame, casting elongated shadows across the red marble floor and down the center of the stone corridor. The two men marched in unison, their knee-high black boots echoing as they struck the ground and their long emerald-colored cloaks snapping at their feet.

"Was she on assignment?" asked Vallen, his gray eyes gleaming between flickers of light. He stood six feet tall and his features were rugged. He had high cheek bones, a thin nose, and a pronounced jaw line that swept back into his long brown hair. Demetrius, on the other hand, was much older but just as tall. His gray hair was short and unkempt. His facial features were softer than Vallen's with a kind familiarity about them.

Vallen, a Keeper for the last ten years, had not worked with Demetrius often; most of what he knew of Demetrius came from stories. Demetrius was a legend amongst the Keepers, known for his wisdom and power of the elements. He was a battle-hardened veteran and war hero. But like most heroes, that title had come with a price, one of personal loss and great tragedy. If Demetrius Lore was worried then the situation was definitely grim. Something had gone wrong. Terribly wrong.

"Demetrius?"

Demetrius turned and looked at Vallen for the first time since entering the hallway. Demetrius wore a blank expression.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?" he asked, rounding the next corner.

Two Centurions stood at their post mid-way down the corridor. They nodded as the two Keepers passed them. Draped in long, cobalt blue cloaks and silver armor, the Centurions were more than just soldiers; they were Majesty guards.Their elegant silver armor hung in layers, like thin overlapping leaves from their shoulders down to their arms. The Majesty Crest was centered on their breast plates, which were made of larger bands of silver metal wrapped vertically around their chest, down their torso, thighs, and calves. Their helmets featured large Falcon wings riveted to the front as well as nose and full cheek guards.

Each Centurion held a long silver staff with an exquisitely decorated pommel made of crushed sapphire and silver. The pommel was forged in the shape of the Majesty Crest.

Vallen and Demetrius approached the end of the corridor, which was dark except for the dim light from the two large cauldrons that flanked the entrance to the Majesty chambers.

"I was asking if she was on assignment for the Majesty," Vallen said again. But Demetrius still did not answer. His solemn glare was one of confusion and emptiness. Finally, as they made their way down the massive staircase into the main hall, Demetrius answered.

"I know as much as you," he said abruptly. "I was in Bayville when I received the scroll. I was told it was urgent,that it regarded Holly, and to return to the Majesty at once."

So that's it, Vallen thought. Demetrius is worried about Holly.He nodded in agreement; he had received the same scroll. But for him, there was one difference—it was not personal.