Dark Possession - Aja James Page 0,66

telekinetics.

But Queen Anya’s Gift was strong enough to push her thoughts into his mind and take his thoughts in return. He knew from previous experience that she could not read his thoughts without his permission. And thank fuck for that. They were typically less than complimentary.

So, Dark King, you will accept the Challenge as your own Champion? she began without preamble.

In fairness, I feel compelled to warn you that my Champion is unimaginably strong. Are you sure you don’t want to choose someone else to stand in your stead? Perhaps that gorgeous warrior behind you.

Anya tipped her chin to indicate Maximus and directed an inviting smile his way.

Ramses heard Ariel’s immediate territorial growl as Anya checked out her Mate, and quickly redirected the Great Plains Queen back to the matter at hand.

I fight my own battles, the olden way. Unlike you modern, watered-down vampires who hide behind others more capable. Or more stupid.

Anya chuckled gloatingly.

You will eat those words shortly, Ramses, when you fall beneath my Champion’s steel.

Ramses tilted his head and tossed back at her, the weapon is my choice, and I have not yet spoken. I shall do so now.

Anya arched an elegant brow at him.

Don’t keep me in suspense, oh mighty Ramses.

Ramses narrowed his eyes at the male behind Anya and her Second. Still, he could not make the warrior out.

He had no intention of losing this Challenge, but even though it was to the death, he also didn’t feel like killing Anya’s stand-in. If it was the queen herself, he’d be less inclined towards leniency, just to send a clear message to her supporters.

But killing her Champion was a needless waste. It would declare him the winner of the Challenge, but it would teach Anya nothing. She would lose nothing, save a recruited warrior, perhaps not even from her own Hive, with no deep connection to her, and was therefore dispensable. Ramses could see from the way she and her Second kept themselves slightly apart from the male that this was true.

There was nothing he could do about it; it was any and every Dark One’s right to Challenge another for dominion or Claim. It was even encouraged in ancient times to Challenge the leaders of hives, for only the strongest should lead.

Because Ramses had been Queen Ashlu’s Champion as well as Consort, she had always won. The only war she’d fought on her own was the Great War after Ramses’ defection. And she lost that spectacularly. It had taken four millennia since for Dark Ones to establish powerful, ruling hives around the world again. But never as all-encompassing in rule as the Dark empire under the Queen of All Kinds.

Ramses extended both arms straight out, perpendicular to his body, hands fisted. Then, he turned them wrists up and opened his fists.

Anya’s eyebrows elevated in surprise.

Nothing. You choose to fight bare-handed? How…primitive.

Since you will be sitting out the Challenge, Coward Queen, your observations on the matter are irrelevant, Ramses returned.

Anya’s muffled shriek of outrage could be heard over the rumbling falls.

“Is it wise to bait her, Ramses?” Maximus cautioned from behind him.

Oh, level-headed Maximus, what would he do without the stoic Commander with no sense of humor?

Maximus would make a great king, Ramses thought.

“Grace reports that there are at least two dozen heat signatures in the forest on the far side. Anya brought backup,” Ariel noted.

“And witnesses,” Maximus added.

As he’d expected.

“What do we have?” Ramses queried low.

“About a dozen situated around the perimeter of the forest. If it comes to an all-out fight, it’d be even odds. Our allies are better warriors than Anya’s,” Maximus growled.

The Commander was merely stating fact; he never exaggerated.

Ramses stared at his Challenger across the falls and beckoned with a tilt of his head.

It was time to get this done.

Anya looked behind her and said something. But the male who came with them didn’t look her way, keeping his eyes locked on Ramses.

The Great Plains Queen grew impatient, turning fully toward the male to harangue him, no doubt.

He continued to ignore her, though he shifted his head from left to right, likely cracking the kinks out of his neck and loosening his shoulders.

Ramses deepened his breathing and prepared his consciousness and body for battle. With his Gift, severely weakened over the millennia as it was, his mental concentration was paramount for success.

He’d chosen no weapon because in this way, he might do the least damage to the other male. He also wasn’t planning to use the full extent of his Gift