Page 10 of The Demon God's Desire

But they see me coming quickly enough. Vythor draws away from Lord Nokliso. He shifts from foot to foot, his hands going to his pockets.

“This looks like an interesting conversation?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“We were just discussing Lord Nokliso’s knowledge of the terrain in Tlouz.” Vythor says quickly.

“Oh?” I turn to the other elf. I look him up and down.

“I am glad you can share your knowledge.” My voice is more tart than I intend.

Lord Nokliso looks at me, his hooded eyes heavy. A smirk plays around his lips.

“I’m simply trying to share the knowledge.” He says smugly.

I’ll eat my own foot if they were discussing any kind of terrain,I think to myself grimly.

“We are on the orc’s home turf. We’re at a disadvantage.” Vythor is still trying to explain, trying to throw me off the scent of whatever I should be sniffing out.

I remain silent. I can practically hear Vythor holding his breath. Tension ripples between the three of us. The other two elves are waiting for me to split their lie wide open.

The only problem is that I do not know what the lie is.

I finally speak, allowing Vythor to breathe,

“We’ve rested for two days. Rally the men. We’re moving out today.”

Vythor exhales heavily, and I do not miss the look of annoyance that Lord Nokliso throws him.

We will be marching West, to head to the orc encampment. There, we will destroy and conquer the land that the orcs have claimed as their own.

And I cannot wait.

My prickles with excitement and hunger for the fight as Vythor and Lord Nokliso move past me.

I haven’t had a good fight in ages, and I need this one.

Outside, the wind has picked up, lifting desert sand into the air. For a second, I stretch out with my magic and make the sand whirl and twist in the air.

I picture the Hearthkeeper in my head, and the sand scatters to the ground.

I used to play with my magic a lot like that when I was younger. Until I started training, and taking my worship of the Hearthkeeper more seriously.

Then all the fun was removed from the magic. And it was for the best I know.

I look at the pile of sand with disdain, before turning and heading out to join the men.

* * *

We have been marchingfor half of the day. The orc encampment is still a day away.

And my men are ready to burn the world down around us. And I feel exactly the same way.

My skin prickles, and impatient, insistent magic sparks off me. My pupils have dilated and my ears are more sensitive than they’ve ever been.

I was made for the fight. I was built to destroy.

I urge the men forward, and I know they are as bloodthirsty as I am. I smile at the thought of finding the orc encampment.

Not one of them will survive.