Page 44 of The Eye of the Fifth
In imprisoning Dohra, (who had become too fused to the Void and Xados and Xusyn to simply kill), Roheia, Gallena, Corla and Eraura forfeited their mortality, unwittingly becoming deities. Their ascension to celestial beings caused the Old Gods to be stripped of their control over Droria, two divines diminished to nothing. They had lost their conduit, their one link to the mortal world. Without Dohra, their domination of Droria faltered, and their power soon began to weaken, overshadowed by the Goddesses who now reigned supreme. The Four Mothers had been inspired by their predecessors, and created Wardens in their place after ascending from the mortal realm. Beings who could harness their respective powers, to keep in check the balance that had been restored, and ensure Dohra and her miraqni stayed locked away in the Eye of the Fifth.
And it was never seen again.
‘It’s lost,’ said Kyra bluntly. ‘No one has seen it for over a thousand years. What you’re asking is impossible.’
Lilion was unbothered. ‘That is my price.’
‘And I’m telling you, it’simpossible.Name another.’
‘There is no other.’
‘Why do you even want it?’ Kyra demanded.
Smiling, Lilion said, ‘That information is not part of our deal.’ She stepped a little closer. ‘What do you say, Kyra? Do we have an agreement?’
The temptation to just kill her rose tenfold. But Lilion, and it pained her to admit it, was right. She would not get away with murder twice in one day. She’d been backed into a corner with only one escape.
Only one option.
Kyra looked Lilion dead in the eyes. ‘The Eye of the Fifth… for my brother’s freedom?’
‘You have my word.’
‘Your word…’ Kyra sneered, shaking her head. ‘And I’m supposed to just believe that you’ll remain true to it?’
Lilion slowly pulled the satin black glove from her right hand. ‘A blood bargain will hold usbothto our word.’
Scars decorated every inch of Lilion’s hand, some almost faded and some as red as blood. It occurred to Kyra that she had never seen the woman without her gloves, and now she knew why.
How many had made a blood bargain with Lady Lilion Perdy and failed to uphold their promise to her, paying the ultimate price with their freedom, or lives? There were too many scars to count.
Kyra’s own palm tingled with anticipation.
‘Do you wish to proceed?’ Lilion pressed.
For Oslan. She had to do it for him. Steeling herself at the prospect of being bound by blood magic to Lilion Perdy, she gave a curt, ‘Yes.’
‘Good. Your dagger,’ Lilion said, holding her hand out expectantly.
Kyra forcefully pressed the hilt of her blade into her left hand. Lilion surveyed her right hand carefully, then after finding a small, clear spot by her thumb knuckle, she dug the pointed tip of the dagger into her skin and sliced down.
Blood swelled and she twisted her hand to allow it to drip and pool in her palm, handing the blade to Kyra as she did. With her own hands a blank canvas, Kyra pulled the blade down the centre of her right, forcing herself not to wince with the pain that accompanied it.
Lilion held out her hand to her, and Kyra placed her hand in hers. As their blood mingled together, magic seared around them like lightning, setting the hairs on Kyra’s arm on edge.
‘Will you, Kyraena Daeiros, bring me the Eye of the Fifth, in exchange for your brother’s freedom?’
Otherworldly power sizzled through her palm and throughout her entire body as she said, ‘I will.’
Lilion gripped her hand tighter. Malice flashed over her pointed face. Still that lightning sparked. ‘You have six months from this day to fulfil this task-’ Kyra tried to pull her hand away, but the magic held fast, ‘-or your brother remains mine. Let this bargain be sealed with the promise of blood, until it is done.’
Light flared from their grasped hands, and then it was gone. Kyra ripped her hand from Lilion’s. ‘Six months?’
‘A blood-bargain always needs a time frame, little wolf.’
Kyra stared at her palm where a thin, bright red scar now sat in the centre, all traces of blood gone. It looked as if it could have been days old if it weren’t for the colour. There was a pulse there, separate to her heartbeat… like it was already counting the days, the hours she had left.
Lilion was a foul and cheating cunt.
