The Blood Lottery by K. N. Lee

Author:K. N. Lee [Lee, K. N.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Captive Quill Press
Published: 2019-05-18T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

X A N D E R

As I walked away, I knew she’d hate me. It was a struggle to keep my feet moving forward and not turn around to warn Ava about what she would now face.

I resisted the urge, and continued my descent down the steps that would lead me back to the boats. There was such innocence in her eyes. I hated to see that fade from them, but it was inevitable.

Veruth was a dangerous place, and I realized then that I was one of its monsters.

I’d plucked her from the filth of her pitiful life—from a prison that would break her spirit—only to cast her into an abyss that promised to crush her under so much suffering that not only would she cry and beg for mercy, but her soul would shatter.

To release the power within.

It was worth the price.

I paid it willingly, even as my heart wept for her.

The tempting of the fire would begin.

I glanced to the bright, sunny sky and ignored the tears that burned my eyes.

Dear spirits protect us from what I've unleashed.

I made my way back to the boats, and boarded without a word. As it was sent back down to the streets of Veruth, I peered over the edge and toward the world outside of The Wall.

There was so much out there that was a mystery to most of those living within the stone walls. I knew what lurked out there.

I knew what was coming.

Once the boat reached the docks of Veruth’s Upper West End, I left it to stand on the bridge. Surprise filled my veins as my sister flew toward me and landed, hopping off the back of her wyvern.

She strode over to me, her purple hair bouncing around her small, heart-shaped face. Her armor glinted under the sunlight.

We were a warrior clan—the entire royal line of Veruth. We had increased strength and speed, and fighting abilities, but were weak to magic. It was the one thing our father was afraid of—being taken over and defeated by the mage class.

He didn’t fear the humans who slaved away for him—for their frail bodies could never house true power. There hadn’t been a mage-born human in the entire existence of our world.

No, he feared other elves.

Other Royals from afar and within.

“What have you been up to, big brother?” Kastia asked, her eyes narrowed as she looked me up and down. “You missed supper in the palace, and worship in the temple.”

She knew I cared little for either of those things. I craved and thirsted for knowledge, and spent most of my waking hours studying and searching for answers.

“Nothing of your concern,” I said, keeping it short, keeping it vague.

Kastia twisted her mouth, hands on hips.

“You’re up to something. I know it,” she said, and her eyes widened as if she’d just realized something. “I can feel it.”

“I’m always up to something, aren’t I? Aren’t we all?”

“Don’t be cheeky, Alexander. This is different,” she said.

Shrugging, I walked past her and headed toward the Citadel.

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