Born Of Fire And Darkness (Book 2) by India Drummond Page B

other task to do for her, as you know. When I have succeeded at that, I will take Seba back to her, and she will reward my faithfulness.”
    “Will she?” Pang asked, Kiarana’s voice warbling as though two voices spoke at once. Her expression mocked Graiphen. “You of all living humans know Braetin’s proclivity for betrayal.”
    Graiphen didn’t answer. Instead, he watched as Zain stood and went to his mother. He sat on the ground at her feet and began toying with the hem of her sheer robes. Although Graiphen did not allow himself to think of this creature as part of him, he could not help but see the superficial resemblance to Korbin. My son , he thought. What would Zain grow into? What would Pang do with the boy? He was clearly only an adolescent. But at the rate he was developing, he would appear as a man in mere days. What would he unleash upon the city then?
    “What if you don’t succeed?” Pang smiled knowingly, as though she possessed a secret pertaining to him.
    Graiphen wondered what she was withholding. “I will succeed.” The confidence he put into his voice was feigned, something he’d learned to do long ago as a senator.
    “Will you? I understand the Child of Eurmus, the one who injured your mistress, she has the emperor’s ear now. Do you think this woman will advise him to give Seba to you? Or do you think she will do everything in her power to keep him away from you, to see him killed, even? Once dead, Seba will be beyond even Braetin’s reach. Even we of the realm beyond have our limits.”
    Graiphen bowed his head, thoughts whirring in his head. How did Pang know so much? As far as he knew, she’d been cloistered here since her arrival in Durjin. His people would have told him if she’d ventured out. But she was a goddess, and any in her temple would tell her anything she wished to know. Clearly, she wished to know anything to do with Graiphen.
    “I must succeed, Lady Pang, and hope remains. The emperor will listen to me and the wisdom of accepting my offer. No matter the emperor’s efforts to encourage tolerance of Kilovian ways, but when my mistress, and you, of course, reach your full power, no one will doubt that the Spirits of Light and Shadow are the only real gods.”
    “An inspiring thought.” Pang’s borrowed voice dripped with derision.
    “The witch may advise him one way, but she is a foreigner who practices profane magic. Now that I know she is infiltrating the palace, I can inform the senate.”
    Kiarana’s lips curled into a smile. “I very nearly believe your plan might work. If only I didn’t know otherwise.”
    “My lady?” Graiphen made an effort to hide his discomfort as Zain laughed softly to himself.
    “Braetin is using you as an instrument to acquire one she deems better. What plans do you think she will have for a spare tool once Seba is by her side? And if you fail to secure his release? Perhaps you will be mounted on one of the rows of pillars with all of the others whose flesh and fear feed her? I doubt even feeding on your soul would satisfy her. No, for those who feed her, she gives some pleasure along with the pain, some respite from time to time. If you are the one who stands between her and Seba? Seba, whom she believes will give her power to rival the days of old? No, there will be no respite to your sacrifice , Graiphen. But perhaps it matters little to you?”
    Graiphen stared at Kiarana, looking for some sign of a lie. He saw none. Braetin planned to kill him or use him as the useless meat that offered themselves to her every day. She would bind him, and when his body was dry and he could no longer feel fear?
    “I see from your expression,” she said, “that your life does matter to you. I thought as much.”
    “I must not fail, then,” Graiphen said.
    “You have already failed.”
    “As long as Seba breathes, I have not failed.” With a quick bow, Graiphen turned and marched from the room, ignoring her voice calling after him. The