Alora: The Maladorn Scroll (Alora 3)

Her head throbbed in payment for her efforts. Still, she’d gained knowledge that might prove helpful. I think I’ll save what’s left of my energy for something important.

She knew it was possible her friends would mount some kind of rescue attempt, but they wouldn’t take that risk if Kaevin wasn’t going to survive his injuries.

I just hope they don’t give that evil scroll back to my father.

~19~

Alora’s mystery meal only had about thirty minutes to digest before Vindrake returned, Uncle Charles’ ever-present backpack still secured under his elbow. Though the sun had set, his smug expression was clearly visible in the bright moonlight. He seated himself nearby, using a large, flat rock as his chair, and ate his dinner. Her food reappeared immediately, looking much the same as before she ate it. She took small satisfaction when his lip curled

in disgust.

“Sorry to disturb your supper.” She smirked, despite her rolling nausea.

“Not to worry, Daughter. I’m willing to sacrifice so you won’t be alone the last night of your short life.”

“Just so you know... I consider Uncle Charles to be my real father. All you did was donate the genetic material.”

His lips drew back, baring his stained teeth. “I created you, and you were stolen from me.”

“You created me? Ha! You think raping my mother makes you equal to God?”

“I’m not equal to God, but I’m chosen by Him, and as such, deserve your reverence.”

His fist flew out, and she dodged it. But then a painful grasp on the back of her head forced her face into the stony ground. Unrelenting, the pressure continued, as she struggled against him with no success. The sharp rocks sliced into her tender skin, and her nose throbbed almost as much as her head.

“Sire?” A man’s tentative voice intruded. “Do you wish to drink your wine now, or shall I come back later?”

“Later, you imbecile!” Vindrake’s irritation translated to heavier pressure on Alora’s head. “Can you not see I’m occupied?”

“Yes, Sire. I beg your pardon, Sire.”

Alora had a desperate idea. Focusing on the guard, she sent a blaze of fury and held it in place.

“Nooooo!!!!” The guard screamed in uncontrolled rage. “I’ll not come back! Here! Here is your wine!”

She felt something wet splash onto her arm and neck. The force on her head disappeared, and the guard’s voice became a strangled gargling. Lifting her face from the dirt, Alora spied the guard, his hands clutching his throat while his face turned as red as a fire hydrant. Beside her, Vindrake’s clenched fist stretched toward the unfortunate man.

As he folded to the ground, Alora’s stomach clenched in a series of dry heaves.

I killed him. I killed that guard as surely as if I’d put a gun to his head. I’m a murderer.

She hadn’t meant for him to die, but her lack of intent didn’t reduce her self-condemnation. She felt as awful as the first time she’d killed a warrior by transporting him into a cliff wall, and that time had been in self-defense. The guilt swirled in her head, adding to her throbbing headache, but she dared not suppress her emotions for fear it would all come spilling out.

I wish I could talk to Laethan.

Vindrake, on the other hand, seemed in an extraordinarily good mood, smiling and perky, even as he wiped the wine from his face with his sleeve. And he apparently forgot all about his anger with Alora.

Rubbing his hands together briskly, he stood up, walking with a spring in his step. “Alora, I’m feeling particularly generous at the moment... so generous I might consider sparing your life when I have my scroll once again.”

“You’re going to let me go?”

“No, no. You misunderstand. I can’t allow you to go free, of course. I’m simply saying I might not hasten your death, but allow your soulmate bond to take your life instead.” His lips curled in a smile that made him look just like the Grinch who stole Christmas. “Or you could agree to serve me, instead. Perhaps my offer will be more appealing when you feel your body sickening, knowing your resistance will cause Kaevin to die.”

Alora wanted to throw out a snarky comeback, but she really didn’t feel like enduring any more pain. Between her blurry vision, aching joints, and throbbing head, she didn’t even feel like breathing any more. Swallowing her pride, she kept her mouth shut.

When she didn’t respond, he spread his hands in an I’ve-done-all-I-can-do gesture. “The choice is yours, Alora. But consider this... if you refuse my offer, knowing the results to come, it’s no different than murdering Kaevin and taking your own life. And you’ll have to answer to God for that decision.”

She ignored him... or at least she tried to. But a niggling doubt wormed its way inside her brain, adding to her guilt and pain.