FOREVER KNIGHTS: #15 Insatiable Beasts
CHAVIAS - Valkyrie In A Lair

Stone Peak, Black Mountains, Battling Border

CHAVIAS

Worthington had failed. Again.

Now he’s in danger. Chavias knew.

Simon Worthington had taken that first step into his office, terrified. The sickness that already hung in the room, telling him Radix awaited.

The demon rose from a creaking chair nearly obscured by the drape covering the window. Robes falling around his feet and the trail of ash searing the floor as he moved. Descending on Worthington with fury written over his jerking movements.

He may kill him.

“It wasn’t my fault!” Worthington covered his head with his arms. Nearly cowering to the floor. “It was that oldest Worthington. He had dogs…”

Dogs?

Radix had his arm lifted to cuff him. “What has that to do with anything?”

“They’re lurking around the property. Essius told me so. And I’ve seen them. They’re drawn to Bishop.”

Radix’s hand lowered and his eyes narrowed. “Bringers?” He thoughtfully stroked his beard. “Take my Nonis. And some Targue.” Thankfully Radix took a seat. “Overwhelm the dogs and the Bishop children until there’s nothing left to howl…”

Meaning the Forever Knights there as well.

No way the boy and Targue can kill them all without Sarabis. He’s going on a suicide mission. Chavias recognized.

Worthington’s eyes lit. “What about the brothers?”

The younger Bishop brothers.

“Who cares?” Radix gave a flippant gesture. “They are mere mortals. Take Chavias.”

You’re sending me? Chavias’ gray eyes brightened.

Worthington scoffed as he eyed the dark look of the Warlord standing sentry next to the chair. Like a statue that’d been there a long while.

“I wouldn’t trust him!” Worthington objected.

You shouldn’t. I’ll kill you the first chance I get. Chavias hoped Radix would order him to go. It’d be worth the torture this time.

“Truthfully neither would I.” Radix followed his gaze, expressionless.

“I think he’d try to kill me.”

“I think he’d succeed.” Radix swept his robes back to stroll from the room, while Worthington stared after him horrified. “Then why the hell did you want me to take him?”

“If you’d have been stupid enough to take me up on it, I’d have considered it evolution.”

Chavias gave him a quick look as well. He knew I’d kill him, and he was going to send me anyway?

He’s tired of Worthington’s failures more then I’d thought.

“Evolution?” Worthington squeaked.

Almost out of the office, Radix tossed over his shoulder. “Of your species.”

Worthington stared at Chavias’ bleak face and swallowed hard.

It’s wise you’re afraid boy. But Chavias wisely held his tongue.

Chavias was in his cell, disrupted when he saw the albino skittering by his cell on all fours.

“See my Calisto?” He peered up at Chavias. Cocking his head side to side like a bird.

“I’m afraid she’s not yours. Never was.” Chavias said coldly. Staring down at the slithering thing.

“She is! She is! I have her first.” He whined.

“No, you didn’t.

“I did. I did!”

Chavias rolled his eyes in disgust.

Suddenly Essius stopped the constant circular bob of his head and the restless shifting. Freezing as he crouched to the floor in what could only be fear.

“What? What’s there?”

“It her! It her!” Essius clawed at the bars to Chavias’ cell.

As if trying to get in with me then face whatever is coming down here.

There was a strange change in the atmosphere as though it vibrated from whatever was coming into the caves. Bringing a surge of air with it as though refreshing everything surrounding it.

What is coming? Chavias smashed his face against the bars. Surprised to see only a blonde woman. Walking alone. Silver hair swishing around her hips as she stepped. A tan tunic was tucked into dark breeches but she moved with a smooth grace.

“Who are you?” Radix asked darkly.

“Better question is what am I.” She purred. “My name is Elsabet.”

“Elsabet…”

Elsabet entered Radix’s chamber. Head lowered and gaze fixed on him. Striding across the stone chamber she put a hand on the stone board and cocked a hip before him. Pulling her hair over one shoulder as she looked at him levelly.

“I want to join you.”

“Why?” His beady eyes narrowed.

“Because I hate the Forever Knights and I want to make them pay.”

“I thought everyone loved them.” There was skepticism in his voice, and it was obvious he had difficulty choking out the word.

“Not I. I’ve been held captive by one for the last thirty years. That will never happen again. So I want to ensure it never can.”

“By joining me.” Radix hissed. “I like it. Okine will show you to your chambers. And you will show me why I should let you join me.”

“Oh, I assure you,” She toyed with one of the figures on his bored. Tipping it lightly with her finger. “You’re going to want my capabilities on your side. Besides,” She shrugged. “You don’t want me in your way when I go hunting them on my own.”

“Fine. Tomorrow you’ll show me.”

But there were already women peering down the corridors of the lair. Sulking out into the stone corridors.

Drawn to her.

Except Essius. He was on the floor. Looking very much like he wishes he could vanish.

“It’s her. It’s her. He find her.” Essius was whimpering.

“Who is she?”

“She end him. She end Radix. Fallen. Silver hair. End Radix. I warned him. I warned him she come.”

“No.” Chavias shook his head. Frowning down at the little man. “You were talking about Nora Bishop.”

“No. No. This one. Silver hair. End Radix. If he can’t keep her, she kill him.”

“I’ll tell him, Essius.” Chavias crouched to reach through the bars and pat him on his crooked back soothingly. “You don’t have to go in there. I’ll tell Radix what she is. Then he’ll decide if he wants to keep her here.”

“You tell him?” Essius looked up at him hopefully.

“Yes!” Pat, pat.

“Yes. Yes! You tell him.” Essius scrambled further into the depths of the lair. Wanting to get as far from Elsabet as possible.

The Hell I will. Chavias smiled darkly. Hard gray eyes glinting. This, Radix will have to discover the hard way.

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