Splintered Fate Read online

  “STOP!” Eveline managed to scream out. To her surprise the room stilled. “If it’s me you need, take me, but let them go.” Her eyes met with the redheaded Rami’s.

  “I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU!” snarled, Victor.

  “You swore your allegiance to me! You will do exactly as I say.” Eveline only glanced over at Victor, not wanting to take her eyes off of the Rami.

  “Not if it means your life.” Victor’s words were soft, meant only for her. There was more behind the words than his simple duty. He would not be able to live with himself for following that order. His deep hazel eyes were locked on her, gripping her.

  A chuckle came from the red head, pulling Victor’s attention back to the Rami. “Isn’t this just so touching. I would love to help you Eveline, I would. Think of it as a dying wish… that I will not grant.”

  A howling scream came from Eli as the black beast began convulsing. One look at him and she knew that Eli was not reacting to anything that had happened directly to him. Eveline’s eyes widened as she turned to Victor. Blood dripped from his neck as he fell to his knees.

  “NO!” she screamed, tears lining her eyes.

  The Rami spoke, finishing his thought, “But I just cannot leave your handy man to try and avenge you now, can I?”

  Dropping the hold on her sword as it fell away to a shimmering dust, Eveline went to Victor, kneeling beside her dying friend. His hazel eyes grew wide, he wanted her to fight, even though they both knew that there was no hope. Victor wanted for her to at least try, grasping on to a sliver of a chance that she would come out of this alive. But she knew the truth.

  She was defeated.

  For just a moment, her gaze fell back upon Eli. It was long enough for her to see him be pierced by a Rami blade, before his body vanished into dust, the way her Aorra’s had when it too perished.

  Eveline’s hand grasped Victors as he bled out, his eyes remained on her. His callous hand gripped hers as they stared at one another. A tear ran down her cheek, she had done this to him. Her noble guardian, her friend, was going to pay for her mistakes with his life. She would have given anything to have spared his life.

  “My husband will kill you for this, there will be no mercy.” Her voce was calm as she spoke. Knowing what would happen next, there was no point in fear. Her death would be avenged, she knew it in her bones.

  “That is exactly what I am hoping for.” The redhead replied with a grin and a wink.

  Eveline looked back down at Victors fading hazel eyes as she held his hand. The sound of the Rami’s footsteps approached from behind. She felt a single pull at her throat, as her dress became stained red.

  Chapter One

  2 moon years later

  (4 human years)

  She felt intense nausea as if she had eaten rancid meat. It rose up from her core, bubbling up to her throat. Lana ran her hand absent-mindedly over her stomach as she stared into her own eyes through the reflection of the gold-framed mirror. Deep troubled green eyes stared back with a tense burden behind them. Today is going to be a long day she thought to herself as she adjusted her long brown hair. Pulling the few strands around her face back with a butterfly pendant, allowing for the rest to naturally flow free in loose waves.

  You look beautiful. A familiar voice entered her thoughts and despite the heaviness of the day, a small smile spread across her face at the compliment. Lana wore an emerald green dress that brought out the color of her eyes. Though the dress was a simple one it was made of a luxurious material, framing her body perfectly.

  “Thank you, Ardin.” She said, turning to see her Aorra sitting in the open doorway. She eyed the beautiful green medallion that hung around his neck, matching her emerald colored dress. “I see you brought out your jewels for the occasion,” Lana raised a brow at the pendant.

  Ardin was a wolf form Aorra. Most wolf Aorra’s tended to be black or dark in color but not Ardin. He was all white with light grey accents. He was beautiful.

  Ardin walked over to Lana’s side, his large paws made a soft sound with each step against the cold marble floors. He paused, looking out the window next to her. Today is an important day. Aorra’s of the council members are expected to stand out from the others. I am wearing it for you. His liquid blue-grey eyes turned to meet her gaze.

  Lana looked out the window beside her mirror. She averted her eyes up in an attempt to find the small moon, but it was not within sight.

  “I had a dream last night. It was so vivid. I haven’t dreamt of him nor our time at the moon in years.”

  What happened in the dream? Ardin probed, his eyes watching her while she stared out the window.

  “I was a child in a large room, it was unfamiliar and I woke there. My first instinct was to find you but I couldn’t feel or reach you. I began to panic. I began running down the halls with blinking lights but there was no one there. Then I fell upon a room where a boy was facing away from me and at his feet laid a white wolf pup. He was just about to turn but then I woke, before I ever even saw his face.” Lana turned from the window to Ardin. “What do you think that means?”

  Your stressed, I don’t know Lana. It has been ages since you even spoke of your time at Ucu. Maybe it’s because you’re worried about the Rami people and so your subconscious brought him into your dream? You should just focus on what’s going on today, that is important. Your dream is just a dream, nothing more. Ardin's words ran through her mind, bringing her back to the troubles of the council meeting that dreadfully approached.

  I hate politics, especially when it involves the Dukrans. She replied mentally, not wanting anyone to overhear her open distaste for the day.

  It’s a part of your duty. We get to go home in a few days and then you can return to your people in the Selvirian lands. Ardin replied, keeping his eyes on hers.

  Lana turned her gaze out the window. How badly she wanted to be out there, in the open, breathing fresh air instead of being within these walls. “We both know what Arkhip wants from this gathering. He feeds off the violence and destruction. Today will be long and grueling.” He's a monster she added through thought.

  Life is difficult, especially for a leader who loves her people.

  There is that word. Leader. Lana didn’t like being seen as a leader. Her parents had always been leaders, but she had not. She loved doing her own things and not having to worry about the meaning behind every little move or choice that she had made. She wished to be free of the title.

  “I am going for a walk, I need to get some air,” Lana said as she turned to leave her lavish room in the city of Abder. She walked through the winding white stone castle’s many hallways before finally finding her way out of it. The castle was the most beautiful and overly extravagant place she had ever been. It was over sized, well crafted, and well maintained. Once outside Lana paused, taking a moment to look at the huge fortress.

  The castle was built on a stone cliff, meeting the ocean below. It had enormous white towers that grew out of the sea cliff. The towers had sharp edges, matching the jagged cliffs it was built upon, and from a distance the tower’s marble peaks sparkled in the sun like the glistening ocean. Enormous windows were built into the fortress, providing magnificent views of the world around. Lana could see the ocean through the immense archways in the center of the fortress, which divided the castle into two sides. To one side the Sterlings lived in their private quarters and to the other side were their guest rooms.

  As beautiful as the marble castle was, it was a cold dwelling and Lana felt out of place there. She was used to her home in Olbi and missed the comfort of the woods that surrounded her there. After she finished drinking in the castles enormity, Lana turned towards the town. She needed to put distance between herself and those within the castle. It was an attempt to get away from the troubles of the day, if but for just a moment.

  Children and city folk passed Lana while she strolled through the streets, brooding over her own thoughts. Her mind was racing with the possibility of starting
war with the Rami. The thought of it made her feel sick. Arkhip Dukran had yet to announce that this was what the meeting was for, but she had her suspicions. There was not much that would cause Arkhip to call a gathering. More than anything he wanted war with the Rami race. He would paint pictures of the evil Rami who needed to be stopped at all costs, but Lana knew the Rami were not all bad. A long time ago she had even known one of them. They were people just like the Madonians were. Just because some were evil it shouldn’t condemn a whole race, if the Rami judged her race by the family of Arkhip Dukran, then Madonians were no better.

  As she walked the twisting cobble streets of the city, a very familiar laugh broke through the brewing storm of thoughts going on inside Lana’s head. Her eyes snapped up in the direction of the voice, Kirill Dukran. She took a few steps towards the sound and froze, staring at the man through the large window.

  Kirill sat at a grand wooden table next to an open window with a long cloak that was proudly draped for display over the back of his chair. The cloak’s original color was no longer visible due to the excessive amount of Rami blood that had seeped into its seams, and like Kirill it almost seemed to thirst for more.

  Of course he would wear that ridiculous cloak to the gathering today, Lana absently thought to herself before she was aware of Ardin’s sudden presence beside her.

  In front of Kirill sat two boys, one older with dark hair and the younger with a light brown color. The boys sat on the edge of their seats, listening to every word their idol had to say.

  Kirill took a large gulp of his ale and sat the mug down with a thud, proceeding to run his hand through his shoulder length blond hair. He twisted his angular face into a thoughtful expression followed by a serious one. He leaned forward towards the boys and the boys, with large unblinking eyes, too leaned towards him, barely managing to not fall out of their seats.

  “You are both still young but I see greatness within you boys. A greatness I don’t think I have ever seen before. Perhaps someday I myself will ask you to join me in battle. However, you must truly become as great as I assume you can be.” With a hint of a smile, Kirill took another large gulp of ale, amused with how easy it was to influence the youngsters.

  The younger of the two boys shrank back a touch, wisely frightened, but the older enthusiastically responded, “What can we do to prove our greatness? I promise I will not let you down. I will kill every Rami I ever encounter and will defend my people and….”

  Anger flared in Lana as she listened to Kirill and the boys. It clawed at her from within, trying to get out, yearning to imbed its claws deep into Kirill Dukran. Her blood felt as if it were about to boil. Without even meaning to, her hands balled up into fists at her sides. She was about to take a step towards them when a voice spoke in her head.

  Perhaps it’s best if we stay out of this. Startled for a moment by Ardin’s presence in her thoughts, Lana stilled and peered down at him while he sat by her with a silent thoughtful look in his eyes.

  He does the same thing everywhere he goes! In our own city of Olbi, through out our Selvirian lands, he plunders our youth for his armies. He thinks he can just come here and spread thoughts of glorious battle, molding the minds of the easily influenced to his selfish will. Everyone knows that joining his battles is a likely death sentence. He is farming for future replacements and my people are not to be farmed like cattle, nor are these boys in Abder! The person he has become is disgusting.

  Ardin rose to stand next to Lana’s side, knowing there was no talking her out of it. Once she found herself a purpose she became willful and didn’t like to listen to reason.

  These are the people of Sterlings, we are in their city. Maybe you should let them deal with Dukran, if they wish to. Ardin peered at Lana and sighed before continuing. He knew there was no getting her out of her determination to talk to Kirill right then and there. At least be wise with your words, you will see him soon in the gathering. Try to remember that as children, you were once friends.

  We have not been friends for a very long time. Lana shot back at Ardin as she made her way towards Kirill.

  “Are there no people left in Morgas that you must travel to Abder and pollute the minds of the young here?” Lana said lightly when she approached the table Kirill sat at. To a passerby it may have seemed as though she is merely teasing an old friend, though that was far from it.

  Kirill’s gray eyes flashed up at Lana, they were akin with the steel of a blade, cold and powerful. He leaned back against his chair, allowing for the sun to hit his angular face. It was a very handsome face, framed by shoulder length straight blond hair.

  “Oh Lana, I am simply grabbing a drink before the gathering of the council and these two lads wanted to know all about what battle is like. I don’t mind the company and it would be unkind of me to just shoo them away. Wouldn’t you agree?” He said smoothly while taking another gulp of ale.

  Kirill not only had a gift for killing, but he was also very quick witted and charismatic, constantly drawing people to him. It drove Lana crazy. A murderer should not possess both charisma and authority. Of course children would join his falsely glorified battles.

  “Of course not, but ---” Lana replied through gritted teeth, only to be interrupted.

  “No buts! Of course I could not be so rude to such respectable young men as these lads!” The two boys beamed with such a compliment. “Besides I think you would approve of my recent venture. I was helping to protect the good people of Gorthyn from a Rami attack near their city. We wouldn’t want history to repeat itself and have Gorthyn burn a second time.” His steel blue eyes never left Lana. He knew exactly what he was doing, the right words to say.

  An uncomfortable chill ran down Lana’s spine, coiling around her bones. The feeling was quickly followed by fiery rage. How dare he? Lana thought, squeezing her hands into fists, burying her nails into her palms in an attempt to prevent herself from acting too hastily. As she took in a deep breath, Lana felt her rage being pulled away by Ardin. He was attempting to calm her.

  Lana, walk away. Ardin’s words pleaded, briefly running through her mind, but it was too late. Kirill had brought up the one thing Lana could not walk away from and Ardin knew this. Kirill brought up Gorthyn, the town where her mother had lost her life.

  Smoothly Lana schooled her features and turned to the two boys, addressing them as calmly as possible. “You two, run along and go enjoy the day outside. Kirill must get going soon.” The two boys nodded in understanding and ran off, happy to have been called respectable young men by the great Kirill himself. As soon as the boys were outside of ear shot Lana turned to Kirill’s angular face. A slight amused smile played on his lips and her blood began to boil.

  “Are you insinuating that we don’t protect our own?” She said to him with fire in her green eyes.

  “Of course not, after all we both do what we can to protect each other against the Rami. I am simply making an effort to make sure no more Madonian lives are lost due to the cowardice and incompetence of others.”

  Lana felt a jolt in Ardin as he too began to anger. He is trying to get a reaction don’t give it to him. We should leave. Ardin’s words left Lana’s thoughts just as quickly as they had entered.

  “And who’s incompetence are we speaking of?” Lana quickly shot back, knowing exactly whom he was referring to. She was daring him to say it, so that there would be no mistaking his words.

  A smile spread across Kirill’s handsome face. “No one anymore. The woman responsible for those lands at that time paid with her life. I am just kindly making sure that history not repeat its self, by looking out for you.”

  Rage exploded within Lana. It started in the pit of her stomach and radiated into every limb, every muscle, and every cell of her being.

  “How dare you insinuate that my mother was incompetent?” Her voice was threateningly low. Ardin dug his nails into the soil underneath his large paws and released a growl too low to hear but Lana knew it was there. There was a flash of
emotion on Kirill’s face. Remorse? No, Lana pushed that foolish thought aside. He was not capable of empathy. Then he leaned back in his chair, tilting his chin up, the mug casually resting in his hand. He was a picture of calm.

  “Look at you, so threatening, better stick to picking mushrooms and prancing through the woods, leave the art of war and protection to me.” His words were as sharp as the steel of his cold eyes.

  His words slapped her across the face. Sorrow washed over her at the memory of seeing her mother lying on the ground. A satchel, with mushrooms spilling out of it, lay in a red pool beside her. Lana was taken aback by Kirill’s knowledge of such small intimate details of her mother’s last day. Some things she must have mentioned to him during their last moments of friendship.

  Lana’s breath was caught in her throat. There wasn’t enough room for her to breath, the muscles in her chest constricted with aching pain. It was an emotional assault. Kirill was using some of her most private memories against her. Anger surged from within her. It was scorching hot, evaporating her pain into nothing, till she felt nothing but a pungent disgust towards Kirill.

  For a moment Lana shut her eyes, concentrating her anger in her core, controlling it, thinking. Her green eyes opened steadily, looking at Kirill who sat in front of her with a new smile on his face.

  Kirill prided himself on power and terror. However, Lana knew he had a fault. Most Madonians, especially those with Aorra’s, were able to pull on the energy that flowed through them, able to create things in solid form. Though every Madonian was slightly different Lana knew this was where Kirill fell short.

  “Eveline had the competence to wield her power into anything she chose, and I too am gifted with such talents.” A smile spread across Lana’s face, not because she was happy, but because she knew it would make Kirill angry.