The LEVELER King ✔

BOOK 2: CHAPTER 9

9

Nala's head whirled even as she made her way down the long cavern and out through the courtyard. The rain didn't matter. Within seconds she was soaked through, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered but finding shelter somewhere else.

In the yard she selected the biggest sloth, certain Indel wouldn't care; he'd allowed Nala every other whim.

Getting the covering and preparing it for a rider was a fast enough task and the protection of the roof was a safe haven to do so.

As soon as Nala mounted, her grip on the reins firm, she glanced upward to the window she knew to be her king's nest.

The sloth stirred but Nala shifted her body to calm the beast. She would have an easy enough journey. Even the rains had calmed now when she'd decided to leave.

If she could see Indel one last time, she could go. She stared at that window for ages until she finally gave up and nudged the sloth with her feet.

Two clicks of her tongues later, the animal meandered in a circle then started off toward the main wall. Each Leveler to see her preened, all but too happy with her departure. Some nearly ran to open the gates.

As she neared one familiar face came into view.

Sessel stood with her arms folded. The expression on her face meant what little patience she had left had vanished.

"Get down off that beast before I drag you down by your hair," Sessel said.

The sloth startled but regained its footing. Nala resolved to ignore her but Sessel stepped before her, a glare so striking the animal backed away.

"Down," Sessel commanded.

The sloth's heart pounded so Nala took it to mean it was more aware of the danger; Sessel was serious.

Nala glanced at the empty window of the Leveler King's nest once more. No one.

A moment later, Nala found herself sliding to the ground. Sessel commanded two Levelers to take the animal.

Without looking back, Sessel set off toward the structure once more, Nala slowly lumbering behind her.

Nala's hearts pounded. She hadn't expected Indel to give in and send for her. She hadn't expected to return to that roost. And she didn't expect to feel such relief, flattery, worry, and longing all with that prospect.

No one greeted her when she entered, however, and instead of Indel's nest, she followed Sessel down an area she'd never visited till now. It was Sessel's room. It even had a door.

"Sit down," Sessel commanded once the door swung closed.

Nala remained standing, "I wasn't going to go with your master to the mating, so why do you hinder my parting?"

Sessel's glare turned cold. "Sit, before I break your legs."

Though Nala wanted to be defiant and still remain standing, her body wasn't as willing. Eyes fixed on Sessel, Nala lowered herself to the ground.

Her action caused Sessel to cock her head. They were both in Sessel's nest, no doubt Indel was unaware of it, a Summoner was no match for a Leveler usually, even less so in this vulnerable stage-three body. The room felt smaller, like a pen of sorts.

Dark brown eyes watched her as the aging Leveler crossed the room and took off her robe.

While changing clothing, Sessel asked, "Why did you sit?"

Nala finally surveyed the walls to see seven bodyguards on each side. "You know why."

Pausing while putting another robe on, Sessel turned to her. "The next time I ask you a question, you'd better answer it."