FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
Vowing to Kill Okine

He forced himself to leave her chamber.

The crow squawked and exited the window.

“Good evening, Gentlemen.” She murmured.

The strangest damn woman. Chavias hazarded a glance back at her. A candle’s glow framed her waving white hair. Luminescing like a halo. The most stunning I’ve ever seen…

Chavias was jerked painfully back to reality as Okine unshackled him and his body slumped to the dirt floor. The jolt racking his head. Ouch.

The sensation of his spirit slamming back into his flesh was jarring. He groaned at the throbbing in his head. The searing pain of a hundred wounds was nearly blinding.

Okine’s hoarse laughter was daunting. As Radix’s Commander and Master of Torture, he relished nothing so much as causing others agony.

Especially me. He was never slow to the knife with Chavias. I’m his favorite toy.

“I’ll kill you one day soon, Okine.” He said hoarsely. “I’ll steal your life as you’ve so diligently cut away mine. I’ll offer you the same mercy you’ve given me.” Chavias’ dark voice rose from the floor. A black mark appeared on his face, surrounding both eyes which yellowed as he made the vow. Chavias felt it for what it was. “Do you know what that means, Okine?”

The hideous demon commander only blinked beady eyes. Tilting his head to see the dark rings winding Chavias’ eyes before fading.

“When a Forever Knight makes a vow, it becomes a seal between them all.”

Okine gave a rough laugh. “You’re hound. Nothing.” Okine leaned over him. “I not fear little bite.” He spit on Chavias’ cut back.

Rolling over, Chavias tried to alleviate the blinding pain in his head. Smashing palms against his temples.

Okine’s watery blue eyes glittered mirthfully.

“Chavias!” The rasping voice floated through the caverns. Though little more than a whisper, every creature residing in the dank cave snapped to attention. No one in the levels above Chavias dared speak or move.

Radix. Dread poured into Chavias’ soul and a chill clambered up his spine. Twisting onto his hands and knees, he tried to rise.

Maybe I could fight? Just once I might have the strength.

“Chavias!” This time it was a whispered demand. Reaching only Chavias, reverberating through his aching head.

Moving his palms to his forehead he gasped as he fell to his back, spine arching against the pain. Stop! I’m coming. Stop! Rising feebly, Chavias managed step by step to make way from the lower cavern sufficing as his dungeon.

Behind him was the clatter of Okine cleaning metal utensils. Devices of torture.

In the caves, Chavias struggled to inhale stagnant air. I can’t breathe. He gasped desperately.

Spending so much time where sun dared not shine, made the darkness feel eternal. Only when he traveled, unleashing his spirit to roam, did he find release from his tormented body. Only then can I see blessed sunshine.

But that pleasure was always overshadowed. I’m only allowed to leave the caves when he’s sending me on some devil’s mission. He found Radix in his chamber, the stone table silhouetted in the bleakest corner. The narrow table and simple chair along the other wall and torches burning on both sides of the room.

Though he doesn’t need them.

Back ramrod straight Chavias could do little to hide the angst tainting his face as Radix turned to meet him. The demon’s usual long gray robes drug behind him. Both trimmed in white fur. Even in the sallow candlelight Chavias saw the blackening of stone under Radix’s path. Dirt seared to ash under him. Radix’s long gray beard was shaggy and untended. Dark beady eyes snapped with fury.

There’s no question he’s a creature of darkness. Like a rat peering at you from under a rock.

“How many have you killed in my name Chavias?” Sweeping aside his robes, the demon rose in a feline movement. Moving along the wall, back to Chavias as though he saw something in the black stone, only he could.

Hundreds. His gaze would’ve fallen had he not had so little trust for Radix he wouldn’t risk looking away. Instead his jaw tightened, and a muscle ticked there.

“How many, do you suppose?” Radix sneered. “How many of your own kind have you hunted down for me?”

Too many. Chavias’ lip curled derisively.

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