Page 70 of Tiger's Destiny
“What have you to say now, tiny queen?”
I bared my fangs and smiled. “How about some rain?”
Her eyes narrowed in confusion. I whispered to the Pearl Necklace to rain only on the Rakshasi queen. I could smell the water before it touched me. It gathered in the air above us as a white mist. The cloud darkened and rumbled, then a light rain shower began to fall. The queen screamed as the drops hit her back and arms. It hissed when it touched her skin and her tattoos faded.
I punched the demon queen in the face and pushed her aside. Rolling away, I stopped the rain shower and whispered to the Scarf to tie her up and gag her. Threads shot out from the Scarf and wrapped Desecration’s legs and arms. She used her claws to break the threads several times, but the Scarf just thickened the ropes.
I blinked, trying to clear my vision and bring all the shapes around me into focus. I felt for one of the stone altars and bumped into human flesh.
Ren spoke proudly, “You make a beautiful demon.”
“Thanks.” I smiled weakly and raked my claws across the stone. Sparks flew, and the tight ropes binding Ren fell away from his body. He freed himself the rest of the way while I stumbled to the other altar to cut Kishan loose. My blood was boiling from the venom, and I knew it would soon overpower me.
The fallen queen struggled on the ground. I slashed the ropes holding Kishan and stood as tall as I could. “Lightning. Come forward.”
The powerful demon strode into the clearing boldly and prostrated himself before me. “My queen,” he said and lifted his head. “Let me dispose of those weakling warriors who couldn’t protect you and then take my place at your side.”
I placed my hand on his shoulder and smiled almost lovingly at him. “I have other plans for you, great hunter.” I could feel Ren and Kishan standing at my back. “I would not have you kill these two warriors, for they are special and far from weak. I promised you a demonstration, didn’t I?”
The Rakshasa demon lifted his head. I staggered slightly, and Ren reached for my elbow.
I pushed him away, not wanting the Rakshasas to see me weakened, and shouted, “My hunters, come to me.”
Ren and Kishan positioned themselves at my side. With a dramatic flourish of my arms, I declared, “Your queen commands you to show this clan your claws.”
Ren tilted his head and Kishan studied me quietly for a second. Then both men morphed into their tiger forms. The Rakshasas who had since stepped into the clearing collectively gasped. Ren growled menacingly and Kishan roared and slashed the air before they began pacing protectively in front of me. A few demons immediately prostrated themselves on the ground. Even the queen stopped struggling and watched us though she lay tied and gagged.
“Lightning,” I continued, “My wish as your new queen is that you hunt the creatures from the cave no more. You will dine only on the flesh of animals found in the forest and you will leave the Phoenix alone.”
“Yes, my queen.”
“The Qilin shall be freed and instead of eating your infirm, you will allow them to heal.”So much for the Prime Directive. Sorry, Captain Picard!
He inclined his head. “As you wish.”
“We shall celebrate with a victory feast.”
The demon stood and smiled. “Yes! We shall eat the former queen!”
“No!” I called out. “You will treat her with respect, but you will no longer bow to her wishes.”
He responded with confusion. “If that is your desire.”
“It is, and I have decided to appoint you, Lightning, the new leader of this clan.”
He hesitated, and then said, “But our clan has had a female leader since the time of my grandfather.”
“You told me that once it was led by a male, correct?”
“That is true.” He paused, then stood taller and shouted. “Iwilllead. Are there any here that challenge me?”
No one stepped forward. He hissed smugly and then approached me and boldly ran his claws down my arm. “Venomous one, stay here as my queen and rule by my side,” he offered. “Share with me your power, and you shall want for nothing.”
Both tigers growled and crouched to pounce, but he completely ignored them.
I raised my chin haughtily and brushed his arm away. He smiled at my hostility. Brashly, I answered, “I must return to care for my own clan, but I will produce a feast for you before I go.”
I swayed on my feet and sucked in a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I wished for a meat-lover’s feast and was rewarded with suckling pigs, rare beef roasts, and fat turkeys. Dishes appeared all around us, and any of the demons who were still standing knelt on the ground and bowed before me. Only Lightning stood, and he directed the hunters to take the queen and the food back to the camp.
