Primordial World: Book 4 (The Primeval Series) by Baileigh Higgins

Author:Baileigh Higgins [Higgins, Baileigh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2023-11-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13 - Malcolm

Malcolm shifted in his chair, trying to make himself comfortable, but it was impossible. His joints ached constantly, an unwelcome sign of his advancing years. As much as he hated to admit it, he was growing old, and the time for him to step down was drawing nearer. That left him with a problem, however. Who would inherit the seat after him?

He had no living children. Shanks was the last. He wouldn’t have made a good leader anyway, bringing Malcolm back to the crux of the problem. With no sons to step up to the plate, he had to pick someone else.

His thoughts roved through the Tower population, picking and discarding faces at random. Santos, his second-in-command, was the logical choice, but the man was growing soft of late, and Malcolm had no time for weakness. Santos’ son, Dax, had none of his father’s weakness. With the proper training, he could make a good leader. But Malcolm had no time to babysit a possible candidate. Then there was Bardas, but the man had no imagination and lacked flexibility.

With a sigh, Malcolm shook his head. There seemed to be no answer to the riddle, and he wondered if he was fated to remain in the seat until he died. It was preferable to stepping down and watching some moron make a mess of things, however.

A knock on the door announced the three men he’d just considered, and they filed into the room and lined up in front of the desk. With their eyes fixed on the wall behind him, they waited for his orders.

Malcolm eyed the trio and leaned back in his chair. “Santos. Report.”

“Twin Falls has been destroyed,” Santos said, his manner brusque. “We attacked during the middle of the night, employing the help of our planted spies, and the mission was a success.”

“A complete success?” Malcolm asked.

“Yes, Sir,” Santos said.

“There were no survivors?”

“Only a few women and children. Those we brought back with us, and they are being integrated into the women’s quarters as we speak,” Santos said. “Any surviving males of weapons’ bearing age were executed, and the settlement burned to the ground after we emptied their store rooms.”

“You’re sure no one escaped?” Malcolm asked.

“The area was searched twice by the trackers. They found no evidence of any escapees.”

“Excellent,” Malcolm said approvingly. “And it’s all gone? There’s nothing left?”

“Yes, Sir. It’s gone.”

“What about the women and children? Are they settling in alright?”

“As well as can be expected considering the circumstances,” Santos said with a shrug.

“It’s not like they have a choice. They’re lucky we gave them a chance, and they should be grateful,” Dax interrupted, earning him a glare from his father.

“I’d advise you not to speak out of turn again, boy,” Malcolm said, causing Dax to grow pale. “And if you had any experience at all with women, you’d know that they don’t think like us. Gratitude is the furthest thing from their minds right now.”

“I’m sorry for speaking out of turn, Sir.”

Malcolm nodded and turned back to Santos.

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