Page 34 of Demon’s Reign

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Awakening

IpeeredintoJudex’ssoulless obsidian eyes. The memory of white eyes turning red, and the ensuing terror from my previous mistake only three days ago flashed in my mind, and I winced. I could still hear thecrackas Rocky’s foot crushed the other golem’s head. I’d spent too much time creating Judex to let him be destroyed so easily. I couldn’t mess up this time. I wouldn’t.

Moving my gaze, I took in the row of five newly awakened golems to my left. They stood perfectly straight, lined against the wall, their eye sockets filled with a soft pale glow. None had turned on me this time. The hours I’d spent practicing the marks over and over again on parchment had finally paid off.

“Whenever you’re ready, Kaleah,” the empress encouraged from her position by the door, motioning toward Judex with a wave of her slender fingers. She looked regal in her dark blue gown, and it complimented her stern blue gaze. Yet no matter how beautiful she looked, I still couldn’t unsee that terrifying creature relishing in another’s pain in the dungeon—an occurrence we hadn’t discussed since.

Blinking away the nightmare, I turned back to Judex. I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. Let my actions prove to my mother that I could be more than just her next face. I lifted the jeweled knife and pricked my finger. A familiar pain flashed in my hand, but I didn’t let go and blood welled at the tip.

Pressing my finger to Judex’s forehead, I vanquished all fear from my mind, and steadied my hand. With slow, sure motions, I drew the symbol of life onto his clay. He shifted under my touch, and my breath caught as a soft light filled his black eyes. A smile tugged at my lips, but I didn’t rejoice yet. I still had one symbol to go. Doing my best to focus, I took my time imprinting each line of the symbol for defender. Finished, I held my breath and removed my hand.

Judex pulled away, taking a step back, but his eyes never left me, and they didn’t turn red.

“Well done, Princess,” the Clay Master praised, offering me a congratulatory smile as he took the knife from me.

“Yes, Daughter, good job,” my mother interjected, eyeing the massive creature before me with barely hidden disgust. “Now solidify his orders.”

Excited to see the clay masterpiece I’d created alive and animated, I clambered down from the platform and approached my golem, brushing a stand of silver hair back behind my ear. He towered over me, but I stopped before him and bowed.

The floor reverberated, and when I straightened, Judex was nearly eye level with me as he knelt down on one knee. Reaching out, I rested my hand on his shoulder, the wound on my finger left a smear of blood.

“Will you protect and serve me to the best of your abilities?” I asked.

Judex’s eyes bore into mine before he matched my movements and reached out to rest his hand on my shoulder. He dipped his head in a low bow.

“Thank you, Judex,” I murmured, removing my hand as he rose back to his feet.

“A name was not needed, Kaleah.” My mother scoffed behind me.

“But it’s nice to have.” I turned to face her.

Her eyes narrowed.

“If we’re finished here, I’d like to go visit my father.”

Lilitha pursed her lips. “There’s no need. Marshal informed me this morning that your father was up early on a rampage for more wine to satiate his never ending thirst.”

“I would still like to visit him—”

“The curfew is still in effect, and it’s requisite that you return to your rooms. Come, I’ll walk with you.”

I curled my hands into fists. “Why is it so urgent to return? Can’t I go see—”

“I sent for your intended to meet you there. You don’t want to keep him waiting, now do you?”

My stomach clenched, and I grimaced, but I trudged after my mother, who was already halfway down the hall. I had yet to see Ryker since I’d healed him, nor had we gotten around to discussing our almost kiss. It would seem my stack of reasons for not wanting to see him only continued to grow. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Apparently, I did,” she snapped. “It’s been brought to my attention that you haven’t seen him since your earlier mishap with the golem.”

Great, now she was keeping tabs on how often I saw him?

“Have you forgotten our little wager?”

A spark of fear ignited in me, and I sighed, hanging my head. “No, Mother, I just haven't been feeling all that well—”

“And whose fault is that?”

My head shot up. “What was I supposed to do, let him die?”


Tags: J.R. White Paranormal