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But my Lady!
You heard the Captain. He needs every male!
You will be unprotected!
House Rigel is being secured as we speak! Go! Make sure there is a House left to secure! I will
be fine! Spinning around on her heel, Isis reentered the Lord s Wing and slammed the door shut
behind her.
" " " " "
Kaspar rushed through the kitchen, uncaring what anyone thought. If Oryon caught up with him,
Kaspar knew his life would be ended, for not only had he stolen from his Lord, but he had also
attacked Oryon s House by setting that fire.
He needed to get away, but how? Shen s order came over the comms, calling for every male to
converge in the Common Wing. Already the Warrior s Wing was emptying, every male rushing to
obey Shen s order. If he went that way, it would raise the suspicions of every male.
If he stayed in the Common Wing, Oryon would find him. That left him only one means of escape,
the Lord s Wing.
Turning on his heel, Kaspar ignored the young male he knocked down and took off at a run.
" " " " "
Oryon burst through the kitchen door. He knew exactly where he needed to go. He had seen the
flames shooting out of Kaspar s office windows on his way in. What in the name of the Goddess was
going on?
Lajos! Is your kitchen secure?!! he demanded.
Yes my Lord! Lajos quickly informed him, and I have sent my males to assist Captain Shen as
ordered.
Nodding, Oryon stormed through the kitchen. He headed for the stairs that lead to the second level
of the Common Wing and Kaspar s office.
Thick smoke billowed out of the corridor as Oryon and Jago charged down it. Trainees and
warriors alike were working together to fight back the flames that were trying to take hold in House
Rigel. Many had grabbed containers of flame repellant, while others where stomping out the small
flames with their feet.
The flames in the hall were quickly extinguished, giving them access to the source, Kaspar s
office. Inside, the room was fully engulfed, the flames being fed by the amount of adhmad in the room
and the air surging through the shattered windows. If they didn t get it under control soon, it could
destroy this entire wing of Rigel.
" " " " "
Kaspar couldn t believe his luck. It had taken him some time, but he had been able to make it to the
Lord s Wing unseen. Even the warriors that normally guarded the main doors had gone to assist in
fighting the fire he had started. He had not planned on the explosion, having forgotten about the buama
he had hidden away in a cabinet. It was normally a very stable substance but when exposed to high
temperatures it exploded.
While it wasn t what he planned, it had turned out to be a blessing from the Goddess, for it cleared
the path for his escape. Pushing open the outer door to Oryon s chambers, he slipped inside. Now all
he needed to do was slip out one of the first floor windows and he could disappear.
Oryon? Is that you?
At the female s voice, Kaspar pivoted around.
Chapter Seven
Isis had been pacing ever since the guards left.
What was going on?
What had exploded?
Was anyone hurt?
Should she go find out?
Where was Oryon?
She couldn t remember the last time she had been this distraught and indecisive. She had gone to
the windows facing the Common Wing and seen the thick black, smoke that billowed out several
windows and the greedy flames that licked at the sides of her home.
Males came running from the training grounds, many raced into the wing to assist in putting out the
flames, while others fought it from the outside, making sure the flames didn t spread to the Lord s
Wing.
Hearing the outer door open, she rushed from their resting chamber. Oryon? Is that you? she
asked before coming to an abrupt stop when she saw who had entered the chamber. Kaspar. What
are you doing here?
Kaspar couldn t believe it. What was she doing here, on this level? She didn t belong here. She
should have left House Rigel years ago. If she had, he would have been able to attract a female.
Everything he had had to do today was her fault! She needed to pay for that.
Kaspar, answer me, what are you doing here? Isis refused to let the male see he intimidated her.
This was her House. This was her Chamber. He had no right to be here without permission.
Kaspar growled at her words and moved toward her. Did she really think she could order him
around? Him? He was Master of House Rigel! She was just a female, one that needed to be taught a
lesson.
Isis took a startled step back at Kaspar s growl. No male had ever growled so menacingly at her
like that before. None had ever moved toward her as if they wanted to harm her. Suddenly, she
realized Kaspar did want to harm her. Before she could turn and run, he grabbed her in a bruising
grip.
You think you can talk to me like that? He shook her hard. I am a Tornian warrior! I am Master
of House Rigel! You are nothing but a female and an inferior one at that.
Inferior! Isis found she couldn t cower before this male, couldn t stop herself from responding.
I have given my Lord four fit and worthy males!
You stupid female! Kaspar pulled her to her toes as he spat at her. You should have been
giving that offspring to other males, males like me! You are the reason our Empire is declining.
No! Isis spat back. It is because of unfit and unworthy males like you!
You bitch! Lifting her off her feet, Kaspar threw her across the room.
Crying out in pain, Isis hit the wall and her world went black.
" " " " "
It had taken some time, but they had finally gotten the fire out, had kept it from spreading. Stepping
into the still smoldering room, Oryon inspected the damage and found most of it was concentrated
where Kaspar s desk should have been.
This was intentionally started, Oryon said to no one in particular.
Agreed. Ull strode up next to his manno, his face streaked with soot. But the question is why?
And who?
Kaspar, Vali growled out, stepping next to his brother, the rims of his eyes darker then the soot
covering him, because of what mother discovered.
What? Ull s looked to Vali. What are you talking about?
Mother discovered Kaspar was allowing substandard furniture into House Rigel.
Not allowing, ordering, Oryon told them.
What?!! Both of them exclaimed.
I ve spoken to Master Bard myself, seen his invoices, and I would guess, Oryon s looked back
to what remained of Kaspar s desk. That the fire was started with Kaspar s falsified invoices.
That son of Daco! Ull spat out.
Yes, and I m sure he is long gone by now. Oryon agreed.
He was still in the House after the explosion. All heads turned to Zev whose normally sparkling
eyes were unusually serious. He ran into me outside the kitchen and was heading for your wing.
Towards my wing! Oryon exclaimed.
Yes, he was carrying a bag and knocked me down. I thought it was strange, but then I forgot about
it once I got here. I m sorry manno.
It is not your fault. You did not know, Oryon reassured him. Your mother will be fine. Mahir
and Malden are guarding the door.
Mahir and Malden... Zev frowned at his manno, his gaze traveling behind him. They are right
there. He pointed.
What! Oryon spun around to find the two warriors in question standing by the window.
Mahir! Malden!
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