Page 19 of Ngozii's Plight

Jeff, her second in command and most loyal follower. He’s not bad looking for a human, tall, tanned, well groomed hair. I’m sure it’s soft and silky in the fingers. Getting rid of Kari would mean getting rid of him, since he’ll follow her to hell and back, it shouldn’t be too difficult to toss them both.

Criido, the withered old man who supposedly seeded me. It pisses me off to see his smile directed to Kari, his faith in her tearing my heart to shreds. I should be his pride and joy, not that pathetic human!

And then there’s Vahru, his tall, built, model of a son with his perfect features. He’s supposed to be my brother, but I’m not sure I feel anything other than jealousy at the fact he was showered with Criido’s love while I was left forgotten in my mother’s insensitive care. He grew up to be a loving mate, a stand-up man, a scientist, a man of honor. What could I have been had I been raised there instead?

It takes everything I have to stay quiet and calm as I continue to take them in when the jealousy and rage spikes so high. Just looking at my supposed blood family makes my own boil, and all I want to do is lash out, scream at them, attack them, and take out every ounce of my life struggles on them. Centering myself with another breath, I continue to scan the room while listening to their conversation.

Willa, the small Nyan female mated to Jeff seems harmless, really. Her sweet features and soft demeanor give me the impression that wherever her mate goes, she’s sure to follow. Unlike Vahru, who may fight for his mate, she seems like the type to bow down and do as she’s told.

The Sautiitions may be unpredictable. It seems that they have a normally calm and sweet nature to them, but they can be cruel and vengeful. Just look at what happened with Kurgash. Having them to contend with, I may be in for a bit of a fight, or they may run for a new home all over again. Only time will tell, so I won’t concern myself with them.

All in all, this band of misfits seems fairly easy to pushover. They have no skills to rival mine, and their tiny village isn’t larger than my clan. I have more warriors at my disposal, and magic in my veins. They don’t stand a chance.

Reveling in my musings, I listen closely to their conversation as my name is mentioned, waiting to see what they think they know about me. Criido picks up the cup, holding it in his lap, but his gaze is focused on Kari as she speaks.

“Yeah, if we can figure out Tavionna’s plan, that’s the other priority. We need to find a defense against her before she takes over the village.”

Figure out my plan? The audacity, as if she could simply read my mind or emotions to know what I would do next. They have no idea who they’re up against!

I couldn’t stop the laughter from escaping me if I tried, so I let it out, letting my rage, jealousy, and joy in this moment overflow into a sinister cackle that scares poor old Dad as he drops the cup from his hand. I’m suddenly on the floor, the entire room visible from my angle as I see more people behind the couch, but I don’t care.

My grin is manic, filled with anger and vengeance as I stare at Criido, forcing him to see what his ignorance has wrought.

“You will never discover my plan unless I reveal it, human. Standing against me is unwise, to say the least.” My smile is pure venom as my eyes take them all in, each of them wearing the same expression of confusion, horror, and shock. The hunters in the back, their weapons lifted, cannot hurt me, so I pay them no mind.

“Who are you? What is this?” Kari barks at me, her bite a tad surprising considering her size. I look her over once more, noting the angry expression on her face, her desire to protect those she loves shining in her eyes. Perhaps she has more spunk than I thought. That will make her all the more fun to play with.

“You know who I am, do you not? Tavionna Volaris, High Priestess of the Ngozii people of Gemyasiri Jangwa, and the illegitimate daughter of Criido, Chief of Kahbiila, the Nyan village you’re standing in.”

I sneer at them, letting my hatred pour through the connection and fill the room. It’s obvious the moment it hits them because several expressions change, stances shift, and eyes begin to roam for more threats. They’ve clearly figured out that my reach is vast, but they don’t know exactly how my vengeance will come. The memory of their frantic searching, the thought of them constantly being on guard will keep me warm and joyful through the long sorrowful night ahead of me.

“Look at me, Criido, see what you have done. Your absence in my life not only left me angry and confused, but it allowed me to become a very powerful, vengeful Priestess who will do whatever it takes to save her people. What it will cost is your rule, your home, and if I’m fortunate, yourlife.” I hiss the last word, his eyes growing wide as he gapes at me.

Keeping my lips from lifting into a smile at his fear is a difficult task, but one that I manage rather easily.

“I will give you no more than a few days to prepare for my arrival, and when I come, I expect the village to either be empty or bowing before me. Resistance will be met and destroyed. Fighting me is futile, old man, so I don’t recommend it. I’m taking my birthright as your first born child, and nothing will stand in my way. You have no more than four days to prepare.”

Inhaling deeply, I blow out a long breath, imagining smoke pouring from my lips as I do, and I watch in satisfaction as it fills the room, the others coughing and flailing about to get away from it. Laughing as I close the connection, my eyes flutter open to find my cave, the candles burned down to nubs, the incense sputtering out completely.

Sweat drips from my body, and I reach up to swipe some from my forehead as my body shakes. Exhaustion weighs heavily on me, causing me to fall back onto the floor in a heap. As my eyes close, no longer able to stay open, I pull on my connections to Seuke and Xenshay, seeking their help.

Moments later, Seuke’s voice whispers to me as he scoops me into his arms. “I’ve got you, Priestess. Rest.”

Tucking my body in, I rest my forehead against his neck, sighing in the comfort his strength provides as he carries me to my chamber cave. I nearly fall asleep as he walks, but I’m jarred awake as I’m shifted away from his body and onto a cool bed. If I had the strength in me, I’d whine at the loss of contact. Just as that thought flits through my mind, Xenshay is there, pulling me into his arms on the bed. He strokes my hair as he whispers sweet words to me, reminding me that I’m safe.

Wrapping my arms around him, I pull him in close and breathe in his woodsy scent, instantly relaxing as I hear Seuke’s stern voice bark commands to his warriors, telling them to keep an eye on the caves while I rest. He’s needed with me, so they must be on their guard. It isn’t until he’s settled into the bed, his body wrapped around my backside, that I finally manage to drift into a heavy sleep knowing that I’m protected and comforted.

Chapter 13

Jeff

Coughing profusely, we all rush out of the chief’s cabin, arms flailing in front of us to disperse the heavy black smoke. As I stumble out of the doorway and onto the porch, I bump into Kari, and we both tumble down the small front steps, landing in a coughing heap on the ground. The others gather around us, pulling us up as we step away, letting the smoke dissipate.

“How the hell are we supposed to defend against shit like that!?” My voice is scratchy and not as strong as I want it to be as I attempt to yell, my arm swinging to point at the smoke pouring from the cabin. Others begin to gather around the village, watching in horror at the spectacle we’re making. Some rush over with water to help us, and we gratefully take it.

Kari’s hands dig into her hair as she paces. While everyone else gapes at the cabin, I watch her, waiting for some sort of answer. “I don’t know, Jeff, okay? This isn’t something I have an answer to! How do you fight magic when you have none?” Her eyes are wide and wild with panic, fear clutching at her, causing her hands to shake.

Kicking myself for upsetting her, I step over and hand her my cup of water, grabbing her elbows to stop the shakes. “It’s okay, we’ll figure this out. One thing at a time. I’m sorry.”

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