Page 39 of Fated to the Damned
I whip around with a gasp to see one of the scouts, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "What are you doing down here, girl?" he growls. I open my mouth to explain but he's already dragging me roughly down a wide corridor. "The Council will deal with you."
My pulse thunders in my ears but I keep my chin high. I wanted to find the Council, after all. Now I'll plead my case whether they want to hear it or not.
He pulls me deep into the caverns until we reach a massive area with high ceilings with vrakken lounging about. Some are flying, though the space is limited, while others play with magic. It’s like an underground courtyard.
He jerks me just past it and into a tunnel I hadn’t seen before. The door is already open, and I immediately see the raised platform running along one wall. A handful of vrakken are gathered there in their seats with a fiery redheaded woman seated in the middle.
“Matriarch,” the scout grunts as he shoves me forward. “I found a little treat for you wandering about down here.”
With the way she sizes me up, I realize that she must not interact with a lot of humans, an oversight on my part. I had assumed that there were humans down here to blend in with like there are above ground. But Nikolai did mention all the humans on the surface were what encouraged the bases so why would there be any down here?
The redheaded woman arches an eyebrow, regarding me imperiously. "You have courage wandering so freely in our sacred halls, human.” She shakes her head. “You’re lucky we don’t just drain you now, aren’t I right.”
The vrakken next to her nods. “Yes, Matriarch.” His eyes land on me. “You are lucky that Brinda is so forgiving.”
I haven’t taken my eyes off the redheaded woman. Her piercing gaze bores into me, as though attempting to peel back my layers and expose my soul. The weight of her scrutiny makes me want to shrink back, but I force myself to stand tall.
"I know you must not take kindly to trespassers," I say, hoping my voice doesn't shake. "But I come with a request, not ill intent."
Murmurs ripple among the Council. Brinda silences them with a sharp gesture.
"Speak then, girl. What desperate need drives you to risk your life by coming here uninvited?" Though her tone is bored, interest glints in her eyes.
Heart pounding, I gather my courage. "I wish to become vrakken. I have served the temple for these last few months, and I want to honor the First by fighting the dark elves alongside you." I take a deep breath. “In her name, I should be Made.”
Shocked exclamations echo off the stone walls at my audacity. Brinda's eyebrows raise higher but she does not reprimand my bluntness.
"Boldness is valued among our kind," she muses after a thoughtful pause. "But desire alone does not equate worthiness. The gift of our blood and magic is not given lightly, especially to your kind."
I bite my tongue to keep from arguing. Pleading won't sway her. I can already tell that. I must prove my determination.
Brinda studies me intently for long moments. Just as impatience gnaws at me, she smiles slowly, fangs glinting.
"However, rare instances have shown that certain driven individuals can earn a place at our side." She leans forward. "But the trials are not for the weak. If you believe yourself capable, we shall test your mettle."
"I'll do anything to prove myself," I state without hesitation.
Brinda's smile widens, intrigued. "Anything?" She ponders a moment before continuing. "Very well. A battalion of dark elves camps not far from here. Infiltrate their ranks and return with intelligence on their plans and numbers, and you will be rewarded for your usefulness."
“If I fail?” I ask.
Her lips curl. “You’ll be at the mercy of the dark elves. You are to go in alone, no help from anyone else.”
Brinda's words spark a blaze of hope and hunger within me. A chance to finally prove myself, to earn the strength and magic of the vrakken. To stand as Nikolai's equal rather than remain the weak human.
The thrill of possibility quickly wars with flutters of doubt. Infiltrating a dark elf camp alone? It could easily mean death if I'm caught.
I wrestle down the hesitation, clutching tightly to my yearning. What are the risks compared to the rewards of belonging? I've endured a life on the fringes for too long – I won't squander this opportunity.
"I accept your trial," I declare firmly before Brinda finishes laying out the details.
Triumph flashes in her eyes. "Excellent. A scout will take you to the camp tonight, but from there and back, you’ll be on your own."
I incline my head respectfully, pulse racing with anticipation. I cannot let Nikolai stop me from seizing this opportunity. As soon as night falls, I will slip away and earn my right as a vrakken.
As I walk away, though, my steps are leaden as I make my way back through the winding tunnels. The farther I get from Brinda's imposing presence, the more space my doubts have to swarm. This challenge clearly wasn't meant for a mere human to accomplish alone.
I don’t go back to the base. I don’t want to chance seeing Nikolai. Instead, I walk the paths of the woods just outside it so the scout can find me.