Page 96 of King of Inferno

Ferg has no choice but to release me as he falls to his knees. I conjure a sword to my palm. Fear fills his eyes as I stand before him.

Good.

“Hizmetkar, no. You need him for the mission. I am the one who has earned your ire,” Azar cries out.

I freeze. Why is she pleading for this insignificant imbecile? I turn my glare on her and narrow my eyes as my anger begins to heighten.

Ferg

Our daughter?

What is the bishop talking about? He has been a man of the cloth for as long as I have known him. The beliefs of the church are those he has ingrained in us as his followers. Our mission has been cloaked in the religion of this man’s servitude. How could he have a daughter with this woman?

I have a million questions. Is this why she has asked me to look after that obnoxious, reckless, delusional fire fairy? Our kind can only reproduce with our fated mates. Does that mean … I was right, Azar has the powers of a queen. This is why she was able to subdue me. She shares the bishop’s powers.

She has called him by his first name. I’ve only heard the name once—centuries ago. However, she says it with such familiarity.

A sinister smile comes to the bishop’s lips. He then lifts the tip of his blade toward my eye—a mere hairbreadth away. I scowl but don’t move an inch otherwise.

“How is it you were able to attack me?” he seethes.

“He’s been fighting against my magic all this time. I didn’t want to worry you with my failed skills. I was embarrassed,” Azar says.

“So I’m fucking stupid to you now. I’m going to ask you one more time, Azar. Where is our daughter? I know you have freed her. Answer me, or he will lose an eye.

“And believe me, that will just be the start. I have time today to make life painful for you both.”

“I have told you the truth. Cole was killed. I have been using Ferg to help me find another way.

“As I said, I know how to call the fire wielder to me. I had planned for Ferg to follow him after I lured him to where he could tail him back to the others. I have also been working to strengthen the bind I placed on Ferg before you were able to take notice of my failure,” she lies.

“I still don’t believe you are telling me the whole truth.”

“Allow me to prove it. We will get you the location of their headquarters. I promise you.”

The bishop goes to reply, but Arlo comes rushing into the room. He skids to a stop, the excited look on his face fades as he takes a look at my position. Taking a step back, he bows.

“Your Grace, my apologies. You told me to come right to you when I had a working prototype to test,” he says.

A twisted smile comes to the bishop’s face. “Finally, some news I wish to hear. Azar, you say you can draw out that fire breathing abomination. You and Ferg will take the weapon and test it on him.

“If you can get me a location, do so, but your main objective is to test the weapon on him and report back to Arlo. Arlo, begin to mobilize our allies. The time is coming.

“Everyone should be ready for my word. You are all dismissed,” the bishop orders.

Arlo is the first to rush from the room. The bishop drops his sword to his side and backs away from me. I glance to see Azar has released a relieved breath.

“Ferg?”

“Yes, Your Grace,” I say as I rise to my feet.

“If I hear a word from anyone about my child, I will know it came from you. If you don’t take this information to your grave, you will be resting in your grave much sooner than you anticipate. Do I make myself clear?”

“Crystal,” I bite out.

“I want him under control, Azar. Remember, you have lost my leniency. All bonds can be severed.”

Fire Kisses

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