Page 67 of Tiger's Destiny
I set it aside and proceeded as if I had no time for small talk. “I have come on a matter of great importance.”
The tattoos on her face flared momentarily then returned to their normal color. She sipped from her cup, indicating to me that I should go on.
“My two best hunters are missing from my clan and I believe they have been taken by your people.”
She shrugged. “My hunters have the right to take anything from the forest that they can overpower.”
“So youdohave them.”
“And if I did?”
“I was hoping you’d be willing to barter for their lives.”
“Barter? What does this word mean?”
“It means trade. I’ll give you something of value in exchange for their freedom.”
“Trade? Rakshasas do not trade.” She licked her lips greedily and shifted in such a way that made me think she was ready to spring. Tilting her head, she studied me suspiciously. “What are you? You are no Rakshasi queen,” she spat. “Your teeth are as dull as those we eat and you do not even extend your claws when threatened. Your venom must be as weak as your hunters. I do have your men, pale and sickly though they are.”
She swirled her drink thoughtfully. “If you wish to take them with you, you must first prove yourself in battle.” Desecration smiled evilly. “If you win, they go free. If you lose,” her eyes sparkled, “we eat you. The flesh of a queen, even a weak one, is luscious.”
Fear and disgust merged, and I felt a burst of emotion inside me that grew into a hot flame. My new body responded and my fingers elongated, producing another knuckle. My nails extended into sharp daggers and stretched out from my hands several inches. The tips of my claws tingled, and a shiny black drop that fell to the ground where I knelt hissed when it hit the soil.
I moved into a crouch. My legs were strong and I felt powerful. With all the cruelty I could muster, I leapt toward her, and slashed the air near her face. I sneered and replied, “I accept your challenge.”
Desecration smiled as if pleased with my display. “Very well. We will fight at twilight tomorrow, for tonight is a feast.”
I was taken out to the revelry and had to watch in revulsion as they feasted on the remains of the zombie they’d captured earlier. I shivered at the sound of bones cracking, bones being almost all that remained from the previous night’s feast. There was no sign of Ren or Kishan anywhere, and I hoped that with their healing ability they were at least alive.
I caught one of the largest demons smiling wickedly at me. Bony protrusions pierced the skin of his shoulders and his forearms were so thick, they looked like tree trunks. When he turned in the firelight a certain way, the handsome illusion slipped, and I saw that beneath it, his face was a frightening skull with glowing eyes.
The queen watched my reaction to the feast with a mocking expression and noticed the demon that was paying particular attention to me. She called him over and whispered words in his ear as the two of them looked at me.
Grinning widely, he approached me and bowed low. “My queen has given me over to you for the evening.”
“Oh. How very . . . generous of her. And what exactly does she expect me to do with you?” I asked nervously.
“You may use me in whatever way you wish,” he answered hungrily.
I smiled at the watchful queen and inclined my head, then threaded my arm through the burly Rakshasa’s. Weighing the risks against the possible benefits, I said, “Then perhaps you could take me on a tour of your camp. If you are finished feasting, that is.”
He smiled rakishly. “I was instructed to indulge you in your every whim. A tour of the camp is only thebeginningof the things I could do for you,” he bragged and boldly ran a hand down my hair. Hoping I could keep his claws off of me long enough to figure out where they were holding Ren and Kishan, I let him lead me off alone.
He took me to the largest tent and showed me a trophy wall of sorts that sported bones and skulls arranged in a gruesome display. “This place is dedicated to our best hunters.” He picked up a necklace made from tiny bones and handed it to me. “It belonged to the greatest hunter of our generation, Thunder Cloud. I am his descendant and was named for him.”
“You’re called Thunder Cloud as well?”
“No. I am Lightning, Thunder Cloud’s son.”
“Oh? Is he here? Did I meet him?”
“He has gone the way of all the infirm.”
“What happened to him?”
“He was injured in a hunt. Every year the greatest hunter enters the cave and tries to capture the Phoenix. He returned to us alive but unsuccessful. His arm had been broken.”
“So his arm didn’t heal?”
